BL4259 Marine Mammals and Man
(BL4259 online module handbook version 55)
Marine mammals interact with human activities in a variety of ways and are frequently the focus of more general concerns about the health and exploitation of marine ecosystems. This module explores the impact of these activities on individuals and populations of seals and cetaceans, and vice versa. Most marine mammals species are long-lived and slow reproducing and the impacts of unmanaged human activities can be severe; a number of species or populations are threatened as a result. The module explores how best to provide robust scientific advice to inform conservation and management at local, national and international level.
*Credits: 15*
Semester: 2†
Module OrganiserPre-requisite Modules:Before taking this module you must pass BL3318*
Anti-requisite Modules:*
Post-requisite Modules:*
Additional Module Information:
Biology Teaching Office:
Level 2, Biomolecular Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST
Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3602 or 3566
BL4259: Assessment
Coursework = 100%*
The following related information applies to all Biology modules:
Who to ask †
(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)
Before contacting staff, students should check the content of the Biology Undergraduate Handbook, the module handbook and specific task instructions.
Biology Teaching Office:
We are happy to hear from you about teaching matters. The School of Biology Teaching Office is open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 17.00. School of Biology staff will respond to your emails during these hours. Our team will provide a response to you within three working days.
Biology Teaching Office (Level 2), University of St Andrews, Biomolecular Sciences Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST
Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk
Tel: 01334 46 3602 or 3566
BL4259: Contributing Staff †
BL4259: Learning Outcomes †
Students completing module BL4259 successfully should be able to:
- Understand the basis for the main current issues in applied research on marine mammals
- Understand how scientific information feeds into conservation and management policy and action
- Extract, filter and interpret relevant material from the research literature and other sources
- Integrate information and views on a range of topics and draw general conclusions
- Balance appropriately scientific and non-scientific issues and viewpoints when considering matters related to the interaction between humans and marine mammals
- Recognise that the direction taken for scientific enquiry may be influenced by the non-scientific views of the researcher
- Balance individual and team needs in group discussions and presentations
BL4259: Acquired Skills †
Practical Skills
Transferable Skills
- Group discussion - participating
- Long group presentation on given topic (>15 min)
- Short individual presentation on given topic (up to 15 min)
- Long essay (>2000 words)
- Critically evaluating sources/information
- Finding information on the web
- Finding literature
- Referencing
- Sourcing figures/tables
- Peer assessment
- Role play
- Organising group work
- Working in pairs/small groups
Policies †
(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)
- The procedures and regulations followed by the School of Biology are outlined in the University Handbook and in the School of Biology UG handbook  JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)Â
- All coursework associated with the module must be completed and submitted by its due date.
- Specific School regulations relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, Good Academic Practice and Academic Alert are stated in the School of Biology UG hand book JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  and students are required to carefully read these regulations.
- Students are also referred to the University Handbook, available at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/
