mar358 Basic ecological processes

The aim of the module is to provide students with a basic understanding of ecological interactions in aquatic (marine) ecosystems. Theoretical principles, methodological principles, statistics for evaluation and scientific data analysis as well as interpretation are taught.
Professional skills
Students
- learn how to deal with specific literature in order to acquire basic specialist knowledge.
- learn the basics of experimental design, approach of laboratory experiments in order to be able to answer previously developed questions
- acquire basic skills in the design and evaluation of ecological experiments
- learn the basics of experimental design and statistical analysis with the help of R
Methodological skills
Students
- learn the methodological basics of data collection
- apply methods and techniques in the laboratory (microscopy, nutrient analysis and pigment analysis)
Social skills
Students create, present and discuss questions and solutions to problems
Personal skills
Students reflect on their approach to describing the problem/question and developing solutions

Basic concepts of marine ecology are explained using field sampling, laboratory experiments and corresponding analyses. The experiments are prepared and carried out in groups, with a focus on experiments on competition and predator-prey relationships. The evaluation methods include e.g. microscopy, nutrient analysis, and pigment analysis. The course teaches the basics of experimental design and explains statistical analysis using R.

will be announced during the courses

Selection based on registration receipt/lottery procedure; see StudIP for details of this procedure.

at the end of the block course

1 graded examination

Presentation or protocol

Active participation
Active participation includes, for example, the regular submission of exercises, the preparation of solutions to exercises, the recording of the respective experiments or practical work carried out, the discussion of seminar contributions or presentations of tasks or content in the course in the form of short reports or short presentations. This is determined by the lecturer at the beginning of the semester or at the beginning of the course.