Postgraduate Course: Marine Field Methods in Research and Practice (PGGE11202)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to explore both biophysical and social research methods through site-based learning. Most of the course will take place in-situ through a field mission to a tropical marine setting, studying coastal marine ecosystems (e.g. coral reefs), island geomorphology, and the wider context of society and stakeholders that rely upon these systems in different ways.
We will study various marine habitats and coastal settings (from natural to urbanising) illustrating different states of change across natural and anthropogenic drivers. You will collect and interpret data to assess the threats, challenges and opportunities to these habitats and respective socio-economic dimensions. Field methods will include marine ecological surveys, coastal geomorphological observations, and interviews with key stakeholders.
To get the most out of the fieldtrip, it is important to prepare ahead of time to gain a general knowledge of the settings, the main issues, and ideas about how to develop research questions and modes of enquiry. An overview of the field trip setting, practicalities, goals and methods will be presented in advance, as part of the 'Corals in a Changing Ocean Course', or as special sessions, timetabling permitting. This will be followed-up by student preparation of individual pre-trip reports to become familiar with the literature, issues and student¿s own interests relevant to the field setting.
This course is only available to PGT students enrolled in the MSc Marine Ecosystems and Policies.
|
| Course description |
The Marine Methods in Research and Practice course has 4 main elements, corresponding with 3 assessments:
1. Pre-trip lecture and report. A pre-trip lecture introducing the field locations we will be visiting, the pressures on them (socio and environmental), and how we will be assessing these. This will be complemented by a pre-trip report assignment to gather information and consider ecological and social dimensions of the setting. (Assessment 1)
2. Research method learnings and discussions In the field - You will gain practical experience across several research methods and rationales, with daily briefings, and summative reflections. Examples of research methods include: habitat ecological surveys for intertidal and subtidal ecosystems, geomorphological surveys and observations on island stability, and different forms of social surveys including contextual observation, interviews and focus groups. During the course, you will learn to keep an ¿on-site¿ field notebook, an integral part of any research expedition and crucial in supporting thinking.
3. Research projects and presentations: In the field - Following the research methods learning (previous point), you will co-develop a suite of topics around which short group ¿research projects¿ will be developed and delivered. In the field, Group presentations on these projects will form Assessment 2.
4. Final project report: Following the field trip, you will individually prepare a final report based on the research projects you conducted in groups, providing an opportunity for deeper analysis, reflection and recommendations. (Assessment 3)
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 75 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Fieldwork Hours 140,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
46 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessments:
1 - Pre-trip report 30% due before end of second term.
2. - Group projects and presentations 20% (on site).
3 - Individual project report 50% due within 2 weeks upon return of field mission.
No AI - Academic integrity is an underlying principle of research and academic practice. All submitted work is expected to be your own
|
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Design surveys and experiments to assess the health of marine ecosystems
- Recognise the signs of anthropogenic and environmental stressors on coral reefs.
- Have a greater understanding of the socio-cultural relationship of local communities with the marine environment.
- Have a greater understanding of how ecotourism can impact upon local marine communities.
- Be able to develop and demonstrate leadership and participation in group research, discussions, and team based oral presentations.
|
Reading List
Arnull J, Hashim AS, Ganeshram RS, Moosa H, Wilson AMW, Tudhope AW (2024). Seagrass is an early responder to nitrogen enrichment in oligotrophic oceanic coral atoll environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin 209, 117224.
Cagua E.F., et al. (2014) Whale shark economics: a valuation of wildlife tourism in South Ari Atoll, Maldives. PeerJ 25165629
Donner, S. D., & Webber, S. (2014). Obstacles to climate change adaptation decisions: a case study of sea-level rise and coastal protection measures in Kiribati. Sustainability Science, 9(3), 331-345.
Hughes et al. 2017. Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals. Nature 543:373-377.
Jaleel, A. (2013). Ocean and Coastal Management, The status of the coral reefs and the management approaches: The case of the Maldives. Vol 82, 104-118.
Kench, P.S., Liang, C., Ford, M.R. et al. (2023) Reef islands have continually adjusted to environmental change over the past two millennia. Nat Commun 14, 508
Perry CT et al. (2018). Loss of coral reef growth capacity to track future increases in sea level. Nature volume 558, pages 396-400
Thornton, T. F., & Scheer, A. M. (2012). Collaborative engagement of local and traditional knowledge and science in marine environments: a review.
Yamamoto and Esteban, 2010. Ocean and Coastal Management, Vanishing Island States and sovereignty. Ecology and Society, 17(3), 8.Vol 53, pp 1-9.
Wilson, A. M. W. & Forsyth, C., (2018) Restoring near-shore marine ecosystems to enhance climate security for island ocean states: Aligning international processes and local practices. In: Marine Policy. 93, p. 284-294
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Skills
Students will acquire and develop the following transferable skills:
1. Assessment of typical coastal marine nearshore settings at land-sea interface
2. To participate in individual and team activities toward the completion of assignments and goals.
3. Critical thinking with regard to the evaluation of sources of information, the feasibility of management options and interpretation of outcomes.
These skills and attributes are well-aligned with those developed throughout the Marine Systems and Policies MSc programme, as well as other Masters and UG programmes from which students may choose this course. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including COVID, security risks, increased costs or inability to access field locations. Any changes to the main destination of the field course will be announced as soon as possible.
|
| Keywords | Corals,marine reserve,surveys,coastal marine habitats,quantitative skills |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Meriwether Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4311
Email: meriwether.wilson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Jones
Tel:
Email: sarah.jones@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage