course-details-portlet

BI2060

Marine Ecology

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The course gives a broad introduction to marine ecology, how marine organisms interact with each other and with their environment, with a special focus on Norwegian and Nordic environments and topics. Main topics in the course include: marine biogeography and biodiversity; the abiotic environment; primary production in the marine environments; marine food webs; pelagic, benthic and deep-sea ecosystems; trophic cascades in marine ecosystems; aquaculture and fisheries; climate change; human impacts on marine ecosystems; and marine conservation.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  • Explain major concepts in marine ecology
  • Describe biogeographic patterns of pelagic and benthic organisms,
  • Compare and contrast the basic ecology of pelagic and benthic ecosystems with a focus on functional groups
  • Understand marine food web dynamics
  • Appraise differences among major marine ecosystems
  • Discuss sources of human disturbance on marine ecosystems and understand their impacts

Skills:

The student will be able to:

  • Analyze simple ecological data
  • Interpret data charts, graphs, and tables
  • Evaluate claims based on provided data

General competence:

The student will be able to:

  • Discuss concepts important to marine ecology
  • Work constructively in a group
  • Consider complex problems from multiple viewpoints and evaluate possible outcomes
  • Evaluate statements in light of provided data

Learning methods and activities

Course consists of lectures (conducted in English) providing background on relevant topics, and group work activities that allow students deeper exploration and understanding of topics covered during lectures. Copies of lectures are uploaded to Blackboard.

Textbook: Ocean Ecology: Marine Life in the Age of Humans- Author: J: Emmet Duffy. Princeton University Press. In addition to the textbook, teachers will give specific recommendations about additional literature.

Further on evaluation

The course consists of two evaluation parts: in-class group work (40%) and final exam (60%). The students must pass each part for the overall course grade to be assigned.

In case of fail or retake (improvement) the exam can be held during the exam period in semester without teaching. The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in the semester when the course is not taught. In-class group work can be improved (retaken) by participating in group work during the next teaching semester for the course.

If you wish to appeal the grade of the exam this must be done within three weeks after the grade has been published or you have received the explanation for your grade

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
MNKBI260 7.5 sp
MNKBI260 7.5 sp
MB104114 7.5 sp Autumn 2019
MB104314 2 sp Autumn 2019
BIA2001 7.5 sp Autumn 2020
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Aqua Culture
  • Biology
  • Marine Biology
  • Ecology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 60/100 Examination aids Code D Date 2025-11-20 Time 09:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL310 blå sone
2 candidates
Assignment
Weighting 40/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 60/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.
Assignment
Weighting 40/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment