This module aims to increase students' knowledge of how to sample and identify a broad range of taxonomic groups common to UK coastal marine ecosystems. In addition, students teach themselves how to use new digital approaches to producing publishable content (e.g. Publisher and Corel Draw) broadening their digital fluency.

(LO1) Students will learn how to sample and identify a broad range of coastal marine taxa

(LO2) Students will develop a better understanding of how the biodiversity of marine species is adapted to different habitats and environmental conditions

(LO3) Students will improve their ability to communicate knowledge to others through development of an accessible guide.

(LO4) Students will improve their digital fluency by self-learning how to use new software to produce a publication-quality brochure

(S1) Adaptability

(S2) Teamwork

(S3) Communication skills

(S4) Organisational skills

(S5) Problem solving skills

The learning will be achieved by:
1. Attending a 6-day field course based at the Marine Biological Association Plymouth laboratory and undertaking exercises at sea, in the lab and in local coastal environments.
2. Making use of pre-recorded videos on sampling at sea to back up experience gained in the field.
3. Developing notes/materials to help completion of the first assessment, an online test, making use of experiences and materials from (1) and (2).
4. Working in assigned groups to produce a species guide, including attending booked help sessions with staff.

Students will learn about sampling marine plankton, fish, and invertebrates using a range of sampling gears and from a range of environments/habitats. They will learn about the limitations of different types of sampling and about what types of animal are sampled best with different gears. They will also learn about the major groups of animals encountered in such sampling and what their key distinguishing features are. Students will learn about the variety of methods used to sample at sea and about the range of sampling undertaken by marine research vessels at sea. Students will go on to study a smaller subset of common UK coastal animals in more detail and to produce an accessible guide on these.

Students will learn using a combination of active learning through field and laboratory experience, short instructional videos (delivered asynchronously, but as part of a schedule), Q&A sessions (with discussion boards provided for support), and asynchronous and synchronous student-led group work. Students will be able to test their learning using practice questions after the field course and follow this up in online help sessions. There will be dedicated help sessions for the groups to work with the module leader on how to improve their species guides.