This module aims to introduce students to the diversity of ecosystem types in the marine environment and the various threats that they face.

(LO1) Acquire knowledge and understanding of representative key ecosystems found in the marine environment.

(LO2) Be familiar with the marine organisms that live in representative key marine ecosystems.

(LO3) Acquire a basic knowledge of fundamental ecological principles, transferable to later marine and non-marine modules.

(LO4) Be aware of the threats that humans may pose to marine ecosystems.

(LO5) Appreciate how humans assess and may mitigate detrimental impacts to the environment.

(LO6) Introduction to and understand, the importance to their future studies of critical reading of scientific literature.

Students will be introduced to the major groups of marine ecosystems. Knowledge and understanding of processes in different marine ecosystems will develop through the lectures and workshops. In each week a new ecosystem will be covered, with key concepts about the main organisms, processes and key threats. Example ecosystems may include: rocky intertidal, shallow subtidal, oceanic, coral reefs, polar regions, the deep sea.

Key learning resources including recommended reading will be available electronically and via the library will be available on the VLE (virtual learning environment) under reading lists. A blended learning approach will be used to direct students to essential resources through the VLE, lectures, and workshops.

Students will need to attend and engage with lecture materials prior to the workshops. There will be some preparation required for activities in each workshop, and students will be advised of this in advance through the VLE and during lectures.< /p>

The teaching in this module is split between in person lectures and workshops, ensuring that students meet the intended learning outcomes and develop their skill set.

Students will focus on a different marine ecosystem each week. During the in person lectures, students will learn about the diversity, processes and threats within each ecosystem. Students will be directed to key and recommended reading using readinglists@Liverpool on the VLE. At the end of each topic (ecosystem) students will participate in a weekly workshop where the threats to each ecosystem will be examined and discussed in detail in small groups guided by academics. Prior to each workshop students will be set an academic text (report, research article etc) to read available on the VLE, this text will form the basis of the discussion in the workshops. Workshops will develop students reading, critical thinking and discussion skills.

There will be two workshops dedicated to the team infographic project. These workshops will introduce the assessment, effective teamwork, software for infographics and a second will serve as a drop in session for any questions related to the project.

Students will develop several learning strategies through this module. They will engage in self-directed learning, reading and synthesis of taught material (via VLE and in person). They will develop enquiry based learning skills when they read and think about the set research article set for each ecosystem workshop. They will have the opportunity to learn collaboratively via the team project, consolidating their learning as a team, whilst enhance their digital fluency and team working skills through this project.