Examination arrangement

Course content

To provide marine biology, aquaculture, geo-chemical-geographical-archaeological and marine technology students with a better cross-disciplinary understanding of using instrument-carrying underwater-robots to generate marine ecological/science information and knowledge. The students will learn to use instrument-carrying platforms as future tools for an enhanced nature management and decision making. We will go through the use of different robotics platforms (AUV-Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, ROV-Remotely Operated Vehicles, USV-Unmanned surface vehicles) with respect to operation control and further use of instruments for specific operations/applications. We will use a suite of different optical and acoustic sensors on these robots for marine mapping and monitoring using underwater robotics in the Trondheimsfjord. In particular, concerning underwater robotics, the students will be introduced to design, configuration, and operate advanced platforms and sensors and guide, navigate and control systems for AUVs and ROVs. The underwater robots will be configured for marine mapping of bio-geo-chemical objects of interest, such as mapping of sea-floor habitats. Sections of special focus will be: Mapping and monitoring of Norwegian coastal habitats reviews techniques to map any object of interest (OOI) of bio-geo-chemical origin. The OOI´s will focus on habitats, benthic fauna and algae for marine ecology. But the generic methodology may also be of interest for MSc and PhD students in marine biology, chemistry, geophysics, geology, geography, technology and archaeology. Sensor technology reviews different sensor for navigation such as GPS, hydroacoustics, sonars, DVL, inertial navigation systems. Sensor for identification, mapping and monitoring of OOI, using acoustic and optical imaging systems will be the core of the course. Signal filtering techniques and fault-detection methods for the purpose of control and data processing will also be reviewed. Underwater robotics will present principles and in-depth theory for guidance, navigation and control of AUVs and ROVs. Control architecture, controller design, mission planning, advanced control methods based on nonlinear control, hybrid control and optimization methods for multi-tasking operations such transit, maneuvering and dynamic positioning. Intelligent systems for mission planning, re-planning, collision avoidance and energy optimization leading to high-level autonomy for operation in extreme conditions will also be addressed. Coastal operations will give the students insight in planning, preparation and execution of marine operations using advanced sensor technology and underwater robots. This includes logistics, handling of sensitive equipment.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the candidate should have:

• Knowledge of theory, concepts, principles and procedures in using underwater instrument carrying robots to identify, map and monitor objects of interests, such as habitats and organisms.
• Ability to plan and conduct marine research using underwater robotics
• Overview of design, configuration, and hands-on operation of advanced platforms such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), focusing on marine biology/ecology at different habitats at ocean surface, water column and sea-floor.
• Be familiar with past and recent development of relevant methodology in the subject area, and based on this, be able to analyze new issues related to the marine environment and resources area
• Use and interpretation of sensor data will also be important part of course. Scientific questions will be developed during the course, and platforms / sensors deployed accordingly.
• In situ robotic sampling of selected organisms for laboratory work (eco-physiology).

Skills are the ability to apply knowledge to solve problems and tasks. After completing the course, the candidate should, based on new knowledge, be able to:

• Based on methodological knowledge, be able to critically evaluate different sources of information on new relevant methods that can be used in the assessments/studies of sea surface, water column and sea-floor habitats/ecosystems.
• Analyze and evaluate the scientific relevance and suitability of various methods for specific investigations of environmental and resource issues in coastal waters.
• Use new and established methods to independently determine ecological and chemical states as well as potential influences on environmental sustainability in coastal waters affected by human activity
• Participate in research project and under supervision be able to carry out an independent part of the work and report the results in a scientific format

General competence is to be able to apply knowledge and skills independently in different situations in educational and professional contexts by showing collaboration ability, responsibility, ability to reflect and critical thinking. Upon completion of the course, the candidate should, based on new knowledge and skills, be able to:

• Have an active relationship to relevant issues within the scientific basis of the field and with ethical issues of research, especially aimed to marine environmental issues related to sustainability
• Apply their knowledge and skills to carry out advanced projects and other tasks in their field, including tasks relevant to other marine ecosystems
• Master written and oral scientific rhetorics as a basis for dissemination and other communication
• Communicate academic issues and important conclusions within their methodical subject area with professional experts, colleagues and with the public
• Contribute to new concepts and methodology for mapping the environment and resources in marine sites, with a special focus on future automatic and autonomous environmental mapping and monitoring

Learning methods and activities

The course's core curriculum is lectures (approximately 25 hours), selected scientific articles provided by subject teachers and uploaded in Blackboard. Besides, the course involves field work, which are compulsory and conducted in September/October). The laboratory/field work includes demonstrations and training to undertake and learn selected methods, sampling, and field experiments. An individual report, written in a scientific format, should be prepared and delivered for approval for the first period. Costs for 5-day field work: 1250 NOK

Compulsory assignments

• Lab work
• Field Work
• Report

Further on evaluation

The course consists of two partial assessments, where each part of the assessments has its own grade. The overall grade in the course is given after both assessments have been assessed as passed. One part consists of a written exam that counts for 70% of the total grade, the other part consists of works (lab report with group presentations) that counts for 30% of the total grade.

In the event of improvement (repetition) of the written examination, it will be possible to take the examination at the next semester, regardless of teaching schedule of the course. When improving works (lab report and group presentations), this is done by following the teaching and submission of works at the next teaching term of the course.

The PhD candidates will have an obligatory group presentation/report putting into context their own PhD work and how "enabling technologies"presented in this course may benefit their own work.

The PhD candidates will during written exam get one question extra, compared to MSc students, based on some extra scientific papers for PhD candidates only.

If you do not pass the written exam, you have the opportunity to take a postponed exam at the next semester, regardless of teaching schedule of the course. In the event of non-passing of work, teaching must be followed up again and work completed again.

Required previous knowledge

This course is cross-disciplinary and includes students in biology, technology and others that needs an introduction of use of enabling technology for natural science or technology based MSc and PhD degrees. For marine biology students the basic courses BI1002, BI2036 and BI2060 will be beneficial. Other MSc courses that fits in with this course are BI3060 and BI3061.

Course materials

Lectures, method descriptions, own presentations/papers from field work, scientific publications

Credit reductions