Instructors: Dr Laura Steindler & Professor Michael D. Krom

Teaching Assistants & Office Hours:  None

Course Type: Lectures

Course Level : Postgraduate

Pre-Requisites: None

Course Overview:

The course is taught by LS and MDK and various members of the Marine Biology staff and outside speakers each teaching their particular expertise. The first part of the course identifies key biogeochemical processes in the global ocean. Where appropriate examples from the Eastern Mediterranean are presented and discussed. The second part of the course is focused on the biology that lies behind the biogeochemistry and provides insights on some of the key players, from micro (photosynthetic bacteria, (photo)heterotrophic bacteria) to macro (tunicates, planktonic cnidarians, ctenophores). The course ends with a lesson on numerical models and their application in biological oceanography.

Topics:

1. Acidification of the global ocean

2. Nutrient cycling in the global system concentrating on the marine system

3. Nutrient limitation in the global ocean

4. Particulate matter in the ocean

5. Use of stable and radioactive isotopes in Marine Biogeochemical systems

6. Physical control on primary production and metabolism

7. Photoheterotrophy in the Sea

8. Selective feeding by benthic and pelagic tunicates (Prof. G. Yahel)

9. Gelatinous zooplankton

10. Numerical models in biological oceanography

At the end of the course students will be able to: [Learning Outcomes]

To understand the key biogeochemical processes which control marine primary and secondary productivity in the global ocean in general and in the eastern Mediterranean in particular. To know who are the key players involved in these processes, from micro to macro.

Requirements : Attendance at course and Exam

Grading: The exam results will be graded from 0-100% with a pass mark of 60%

Website: None

Reading List:

There is no course book or specific reading list. Each lecturer identifies relevant reading (papers, books etc.) during their lecture. This changes from year to year as the course material in updated.