MRes Marine Biology Programme Leader: Dr. John Bishop (Reader, MBA/UoP)

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1 MRes Marine Biology Programme Leader: Dr. John Bishop (Reader, MBA/UoP) The following pages provide details of our MRes in Marine Biology, which is run jointly between the MBA and the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Plymouth (UoP). If, after reading these pages, you have further questions about the course, or if you wish to apply, then please contact the UoP at: Details of research at the MBA can be found at: while information on the UoP s School of Biological Sciences can be found at (= ) Why study for an MRes in Marine Biology? You will be based in one of the world s leading cities for the study of Marine Biology You will be taught by recognised experts with worldwide links to research organisations and projects You will experience a specifically designed, topical programme provided jointly by the University of Plymouth and the Marine Biological Association of the UK, with two routes to suit different interests You will undertake an extensive, original and innovative research project, in collaboration with MBA Research Fellows if you choose Marine Biology is an extraordinarily broad discipline, reflecting the impressive scale of marine ecosystems and the fantastic range of life they contain. Marine organisms have long been important models in biomedical research, while marine processes exert massive influence on the Earth s climate and the pattern of biogeochemical cycling. The world s oceans are vital sources of food, but are also the ultimate destination of a large proportion of our waste products. Coupled with our innate fascination with the sea and its creatures, Marine Biology is thus a compelling subject for study. This breadth and excitement is reflected in the MRes Programme through its close linkage with the diverse research pursuits of a range of leading scientists in one of the world s foremost locations for marine studies. Key Features Joint course hosted by the University of Plymouth and the Marine Biological Association of the UK Two defined routes to suit different interests: Biodiversity & Ecology and Cellular & Molecular Majority of course can be spent working at the MBA alongside research staff Close links with the research community worldwide Excellent training for further research 1

2 Research Opportunities Part of the philosophy of the course team is to involve Masters students directly with our own research groups, providing experience that will be exceptionally beneficial for anyone wanting to continue to PhD and beyond. University & MBA Facilities Plymouth is one of the world s foremost locations for the study of Marine Biology, with a large community of marine scientists working under the Plymouth Marine Partnership, and is situated near some of the richest and least impacted marine sites in the UK. The joint nature of the MRes widens the facilities and staff available for your study to include those provided by both University of Plymouth and the MBA, including two libraries, the MBA hosting the National Marine Biological Library. Course Content Period 1 (12 weeks) Core modules in this semester delivered by both the UoP and MBA concentrate on providing you with general research skills, plus an introduction to the research and workings of the MBA. The two routes in the course have a different suite of modules additional to those on research methodology. The Biodiversity and Ecology route includes additional training in the design and analysis of ecological experiments and in conservation/biodiversity assessments. The alternative Molecular and Cellular route has a specific module focusing on DNA techniques, biological imaging and electrophysiological methods. Students of each route can then choose two optional modules from a relevant selection of modules. Period 2 & 3 (30 weeks) There is one module on project planning, and the majority of the time is spent directly on your research project and dissertation. Collaborative Project Work You will have the opportunity when carrying out your project to work directly with research staff at the MBA, although it is also possible to work with other collaborating institutions within the Plymouth Marine Partnership (UoP, PML, SAHFOS, NMA). Alternatively, you may arrange to conduct your dissertation project abroad. 2

3 MRes Marine Biology (Ecology Route) Roadmap PERIOD 1 (12 WKS) BIO 5114 Research Skills in Biology BIO 5113 Research Methods in Biology MBAM 5101 MBA Core Induction MBAM 5103 Marine Biodiversity & Ecology OPTION MODULE See choice below OPTION MODULE See choice below PGCERT 60 CREDITS PERIODS 2& 3 (30 WKS) EAR 5205 Project Planning for MRes SCI 5201 MRes Dissertation 1 MRES 180 CREDITS OPTIONS PERIOD 1 (2 FROM 6): EAR 5102 Multivariate Analysis for Environmental Research BUS 5101 Economics And The Environment BUS 5102 Environmental Law And Ethics EAR 5105 Science and the Environment GLY 5103 Geology, Geophysics & Physical Oceanography of Shelves and Coasts BIO5120 Ecological Toxicology 3

4 MRES MARINE BIOLOGY (CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR ROUTE) ROADMAP PERIOD 1 (12 WKS) BIO 5114 Research Skills in Biology BIO 5113 Research Methods in Biology MBAM 5101 MBA Core Induction MBAM 5102 Molecular & Cellular Marine Biology OPTION MODULE See choice below OPTION MODULE See choice below PGCERT 60 CREDITS PERIODS 2& 3 (30 WKS) EAR 5205 Project Planning for MRes SCI 5201 MRes Dissertation 1 MRES 180 CREDITS OPTIONS PERIOD 1 (2 FROM 4): BIO 5102 Principles & Applications In Electron Microscopy GLY 5103 Geology, Geophysics & Physical Oceanography of Shelves & Coasts BIO5115 Fish Toxicology BIO5119 Molecular and Cellular Toxicology 4

5 Brief Module Descriptions A brief outline of the content of each module is provided here to give you a summary of how the whole course fits together. A distinction made between compulsory and optional modules and the Roadmap documents provide further clarification. Module availability may change slightly from year to year. Compulsory modules BIO5113: Research Methods in Biology. This module encourages biology postgraduates to develop research-related skills that they will need to carry out a research project effectively. The emphasis is on the philosophy, design, ethics and management of research in the biological sciences. BIO5114: Research Skills in Biology. This module encourages biology postgraduates to develop communication skills that they will need to carry out a research project effectively. Communication skills for teaching are also included, along with advice on career management and presentation skills involved in job applications and interviews. MBAM5101: MBA Core Induction. This module will be based at the MBA and will provide students with the chance to get to know the Fellows and the research they do. Students will visit each lab and get an explanation of the work going on there and future research directions. This will provide background to choosing a project at the MBA, and will ensure the students are familiar with MBA working practices. MBAM5102: Molecular and Cellular Marine Biology (available to Molecular and Cellular route only) Another MBA-based module, this module will provide the alternative to the Marine Ecology option for MRes students with a bias towards the molecular and cellular aspects of marine biology, and the techniques used to study these aspects. Emphasis will be on those techniques currently employed at the MBA. MBAM5103: Marine Biodiversity & Ecology (available to Biodiversity and Ecology route only). This MBA-taught module will deal with two main areas: marine conservation methods and policy, and experimental design and analysis for marine ecology studies. Students will be taught a range of skills and methods relating to these subject areas, with examples from current research underway at the MBA. EAR5205 Project Planning for MRes. This module is an adjunct to the actual project and involves preparing a written progress report once the project is well underway, and presenting a seminar at roughly the halfway stage. SCI5201 MRes Dissertation This module makes up nearly two-thirds of the whole MRes course and is centred on a piece of original research relevant to the course title. Although staff will provide a list of potential topics, we encourage students to develop their own ideas (assuming they are good ones), and we can accommodate projects overseas and with external organisations if they are safe. The exact nature of the project topic is a matter for negotiation between the student and the advisor(s). The module is assessed entirely by dissertation, with a September deadline. 5

6 Optional modules (2 from 4 modules) Molecular and Cellular Route GLY5103 Geology, Geophysics & Physical Oceanography of Shelves & Coasts. This module provides an overview of shelf and coastal seas, their physical and oceanographic processes, and the tools available to measure, monitor and model them. There is a particular emphasis on quantifying and predicting coastal conditions. BIO5102 Principles & Applications In Electron Microscopy. Practical and theoretical issues in the use of electron microscopy as a powerful analytical tool in environmental science is covered by this module. It introduces the principles and practice of specimen preparation, microscope operation and image interpretation in both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It also deals with analytical EM and the applications of X-ray microanalysis in scanning and transmission EM to environmental studies. BIO5103 Fish Toxicology An introduction to toxicology and its applications to fish biology, including aspects of poisoning in fish, the scientific methods involved in the assessment of toxicity and discussion of current issues in industrial fish toxicity testing and pathology. BIO5107 Molecular & Cellular Toxicology How the molecular characteristics of various toxicants interact with cellular molecules which could produce adverse effects at different levels of biological organisation. Optional modules (2 from 6 modules) Biodiversity and Ecology Route GLY5103 Geology, Geophysics & Physical Oceanography of Shelves & Coasts. This module provides an overview of shelf and coastal seas, their physical and oceanographic processes, and the tools available to measure, monitor and model them. There is a particular emphasis on quantifying and predicting coastal conditions. EAR5102 Multivariate Analysis for Environmental Science Research. This course is an introduction to the practical aspects of multivariate analysis with emphasis on the analysis of data on organism-environment relationships. There is a strong practical element to the course and students should become familiar with selected key techniques and their applications. The module includes treatment of multidimensionality, data exploration and reduction, multiple correlation and regression, numerical classification, and ordination. A basic knowledge of statistics up to regression and correlation is assumed. BUS5101 Economics and the Environment. This module deals with economic considerations in environmental management and planning. It provides an understanding of relevant economic principles and an economic appreciation of issues in the exploitation of natural resources and the environment through applied analysis. Issues such as market failure, sustainable economy, and discounting the future are explored at national and international scales. It is recommended that you pair this module with Environmental Law and Ethics. BUS5102 Environmental Law and Ethics. This module concerns the methods and principles of environmental regulation and the ethical 6

7 context in which decisions are made. It covers the sources of law, the UK, European and international legal systems, legal interpretation techniques, policy (e.g., sustainable development, polluter pays) and academic principles (e.g., Vogel, Hutter, Ogus), and methods and instruments of environmental law and regulation. Case studies will be provided to illustrate these issues. The final section of the module considers ethical questions. It is recommended that you pair this module with Economics and the Environment. EAR5105 Science and the Environment. This module develops the scientific principles, both physical and ecological, underpinning environmental management, environmental conservation and environmental change. It provides a basic understanding of how aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric systems function together with an appreciation of how they can be, and indeed are, altered by human activities. BIO5108 Ecological Toxicology An exploration and evaluation of the complex interactions between pollutants and wildlife at individual, population, community and ecosystem levels by the application of theories and techniques from ecological and toxicological disciplines. 7

8 MRes Marine Biology projects that were available for The following are the MRes research projects suggested for academic year The list for next year will be very similar. These are only meant as a guide and you will be free to develop alternative projects through consultation with numerous scientists at the MBA, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, The University of Plymouth, or other institutions. Dr John Bishop 1. Germination pattern of dormant bodies from a brackish lagoon: an animal seed bank? (With Dr. Miguel Franco, UoP.) 2. Biology of a Schedule 5 species, the Trembling Sea Mat. 3. Genetic diversity of introduced marine species: are bottlenecks apparent from the mitochondrial genome? 4. Optimisation of microsatellite markers for the study of mating in a colonial ascidian. Prof. Colin Brownlee 1. The pathway of calcium during intracellular calcification in coccolithophores: single cell studies. 2. Fluorescence-based methods for distinguishing between different fucoid algal embryos for studies of recruitment and survival on the intertidal shore. 3. Interactions between polarization and the cell cycle in Fucus zygoes: single cell studies using confocal microscopy. Prof. Steve Hawkins 1. Meta-community dynamics in high shore littorinid/algal film assemblages: the value of food versus refuge resources in a patchy landscape. 2. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: tests using microphagous assemblages. 3. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: detrital diversity and rates of colonisation and breakdown by consumers. 4. Effects of rock type on microbial or macrobiotic assemblages. 5. Enhancement of biodiversity on artificial structures such as breakwaters. 6. Comparison of artificial and natural rocky shores. 7. The distribution of Cystoceira spp. in Southwest England in relation to climate change. 8. Vertical distribution of barnacle species at long-term study sites does climate influence vertical distribution? Dr Stuart Jenkins 1. The effect of habitat quality on the relationship between recruitment level and adult population structure of intertidal barnacles. 2. Large -scale recruitment variability in 3 species of intertidal barnacle over SW England: identifying recruitment cells and links to historical time series. 3. Productivity in the microalgal epilithic film on rocky shores: variability over gradients of stress and its implications for microphagous grazers. 4. Population dynamics and post settlement mortality in the common shore crab Carcinus maenus in contrasting habitats. Dr Bill Langston 1. Characterisation of biological responses to marine pollution: oxyradical scavenging capacity in molluscan tissues. 2. Impact of oestrogens and xenoestrogens on reproduction in bivalves. Drs Anthony Richardson and Martin Edwards (SAHFOS) 1. Impact of climate change on marine pelagic phenology and trophic mismatch: a statistical modelling approach. Dr Declan Schroeder 1. Determining the prevalence of phaeoviruses within natural populations of filamentous brown seaweed along the South West coast of the UK. 2. Characterisation of the infection process of phaeoviruses. Dr David Sims TITLES TO FOLLOW. Dr Alison Taylor 1. Detection of secretion in algal cells using amperometry 2. Cloning and functional characterisation of diatom voltage activated channels. (Joint with Dr Declan Schroeder.) 8