Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title SAMPLING THE OCEAN
Code ENVS220
Coordinator Prof J Sharples
Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
Jonathan.Sharples@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 5 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

To provide students with 

a) Knowledge of the scope of graduate jobs available to a graduate in ocean science, along with an understanding of how to present a postfolio of skills and respond to the different methods used in assessment of job applicants.

b) Understanding of the practical methods used to measure and analyse physical and biogeochemical quantities in the ocean, in both the context of ocxean research and in the commercial world.

c)The skills to be able to the process and analyse oceanographic data in order to understand processes in the ocean.

Learning Outcomes

 

1. Knowledge and Understanding:

Careers-related:

a) The scope of graduate-level jobs available to someone with the skills learnt on an oceans-related degree.

b) The routes into further study at post-graduate level.

c) The importance of developing an on-line profile for today''s job market.

d) The different techniques (e.g. on-line, video) used in assessment of job applicants.


Subject-specific:

a) Navigation;

b) Measurements of temperature, salinity;

c) Measurements of currents – both direct and indirect methods;

d) Remote sensing;

e) Chlorophyll analysis

f) Nutrient Analysis; 

g) Oxygen Analysis

h) Analysis of Particles

i) Data quality/analysis techniques including:

          (i) Manipulation of CTD and current data.

          (ii) Calculation of water column propoerties from discrete sampling.

          (iii) Calibration of instrumentation using distrete samples.

        

2. Intellectual Abilities:


At the end of the module a student should be able to evaluate the quality and significance of oceanographic data, and understand how data is used in both commercial and research environments.

3. Subject Based Practical Skills:


At the end of the module a student should be able to apply skills in:


a) Processing and analysing hydrographic data,


b) Processing and analysing current meter data ,


c) Calculating currents from indirect measurements and hydrographic data,


d) Interpreting remote sensing data,


e) Analysis of nutrient, oxygen and particulate samples


f) Interpreting nutrient, oxygen and particulate data


g) Planning cruise tracks.

Syllabus
1 

Semester 1:

Tutorials in weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (Careers Service input to tutorials in weeks 3, 5, and 7). 

Academic Advisor meeting: week 11.


Semester 2:

Timing is subject to change, depending on when the semester 2 field week occurs.

Block 1:

Navigation - some history, latitude and longitude, satellite (GPS), distances on a spherical planet, cruise planning.

Measuring tem perature and salt - the CTD (profiling and towed), calibration, satellite imagery, ancillary instruments on the CTD.

Measuring currents - impellor current meters, acoustic current meters, drifters (ARGO floats), geostrophic estimates.

Block 2:

Dissolved material in the ocean - sampling and analysing dissolved organic matter.

Measuring chlorophyll and dissolved oxygen.

Measuring dissolved inorganic nutrients (includes lab w ork).

Block 3:

Organic particles in the ocean - sampling particles and organisms

Sediments - distribution and sampling.


Tutorials: weeks 4 and 8.

Academic Advisor meeting: week 10.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Semester 2: 2 lectures per week, weeks 1-11 (except field week).

Field and lab work - Sampling seawater and laboratory analysis.

Tutorials - Semester 1: 1 hour tutorials in weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. Semester 2: 1 hour tutorials in weeks 4 and 8.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 20
Semester 2: 2 lectures per week, weeks 1-11 (except field week).
        7
Sampling seawater and laboratory analysis.
27
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 123
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  120  Examination period, semester 2  70  Yes    Exam. Section A multiple choice, section B 3 x longer questions. Notes (applying to all assessments) - none 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1 side A4.  Semester 1, week 11 (associate  5  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Reflection on careers searching and application procedures. 
Coursework  Report, approx. 3 -   Approx midway through semester  25  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Data analysis of research cruise data. 

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: