MRes Marine Biology - The Marine Biological Association

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: [email protected]
Details of research at the MBA can be found at:
http://www.mba.ac.uk/research/research.php?currentresearch
while information on the UoP’s School of Biological Sciences can be found at
www.biology.plymouth.ac.uk
(= http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=6217 )
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
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
MRes Marine Biology (Ecology Route)
“Roadmap”
PERIOD 1
(12 WKS)
BIO 5114
Research Skills in
Biology
10 credits
MBAM 5101
OPTION MODULE
MBA Core Induction
10 credits
See choice below
10 credits
BIO 5113
MBAM 5103
Research Methods in
Biology
10 credits
Marine Biodiversity &
Ecology
10 credits
PERIODS 2&
3
(30 WKS)
PGCERT 60 CREDITS
EAR 5205
SCI 5201
Project Planning for
MRes
10 credits
MRes Dissertation
110 credits
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
OPTION MODULE
See choice below
10 credits
MRES MARINE BIOLOGY (CELLULAR AND
MOLECULAR ROUTE) “ROADMAP”
PERIOD 1
(12 WKS)
BIO 5114
Research Skills in
Biology
10 credits
MBAM 5101
OPTION MODULE
MBA Core Induction
10 credits
See choice below
10 credits
BIO 5113
MBAM 5102
Research Methods in
Biology
10 credits
Molecular & Cellular
Marine Biology
10 credits
PERIODS 2&
3
(30 WKS)
PGCERT 60 CREDITS
EAR 5205
SCI 5201
Project Planning for
MRes
10 credits
MRes Dissertation
110 credits
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
OPTION MODULE
See choice below
10 credits
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
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
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
MRes Marine Biology projects that were available for 2004-2005
The following are the MRes research projects suggested for academic year
2004-5. 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Meta-community dynamics in high shore littorinid/algal film assemblages: the value of
food versus refuge resources in a patchy landscape.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: tests using microphagous assemblages.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: detrital diversity and rates of colonisation and
breakdown by consumers.
Effects of rock type on microbial or macrobiotic assemblages.
Enhancement of biodiversity on artificial structures such as breakwaters.
Comparison of artificial and natural rocky shores.
The distribution of Cystoceira spp. in Southwest England in relation to climate change.
Vertical distribution of barnacle species at long-term study sites – does climate influence
vertical distribution?
Dr Stuart Jenkins
1.
2.
3.
4.
The effect of habitat quality on the relationship between recruitment level and adult
population structure of intertidal barnacles.
Large -scale recruitment variability in 3 species of intertidal barnacle over SW England:
identifying recruitment cells and links to historical time series.
Productivity in the microalgal epilithic film on rocky shores: variability over gradients of
stress and its implications for microphagous grazers.
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