Lesson Structure:  Marine Studies II BEN203

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1  Introduction and Simple Organisms

• Terminology
• Classification or Taxonomy
• Simple and microscopic organisms
• Types of protazoans
• Ciliates
• Flagellates
• Algae
• Bacteria
• Plankton
• Sponges

2  Marine Plants

• Terminology
• Overview of seaweeds
• Chlorophyta (Green Algae)
• Phaeophyta (Brown Algae)
• Rhodophyta (Red algae)
• Marine fungi
• Marine flowering plants: sea grasses, mangroves, salt marsh plants

3  Cnidarians and Worms:

• Terminology
• Anemones
• Jellyfish
• Crustaceans
• Worms: flatworms, ribbon worms, round worms
• Segmented worms. peanut worms, giant tube worms

4  Arthropods

• Introduction
• Characteristics
• Prawns and shrimps
• Deep water prawns in the atlantic
• The common prawn (Palaemon serratus)
• Giant red shrimp
• Pink prawn
• Shallow water prawns
• Indian white prawn
• Tiger prawn
• Kuruma shrimp
• Green tiger prawn
• Peneaeus notialis and others
• Barnacles
• Crabs
• True crabs
• Hermit crabs

5  Molluscs

• Introduction and classification
• Characteristics
• Gastropods
• Whelk
• Bivalves
• Mussels and oysters
• Cocles
• Green lipped mussels, common mussel, mediterranean mussel, and others
• Pacific oyster, European flat oyster, Olympia oyster
• Nudibranchs (open gilled sea slugs)
• Cephalapods
• Octopuses
• Biology of the octopus
• Cuttlefish
• Squid: classification and biology
• Oegopsida squid and other squid
• Chitons

6  Echinoderms:

• Terminology
• Characteristics of Echinoderms
• Starfish
• Sea Urchins
• Sea Cucumbers

7  Non Bony Fishes:

• Lampreys
• Hagfishes
• Sharks
• Rays

8  Bony Fishes I

• Introduction
• Terminology
• Structure and biological characteristics
• Classification

9  Bony Fishes II

• Families within Oesteichyes
• Mesopelagic fish: distribution, life historyand ecology
• Clupeoids (eg. sardine, herring)
• Tunas: types, life history, feeding, predators
• Mackerels
• Bill Fish (Marlins, spear fish, sail fish)

10 Marine Mammals and Higher Animals

• Marine reptiles: sea snakes, sea turtles, crocadylians
• Pinnipeds (seals walruses, Seal lions
• Dugongs and Manatees
• Whales and Dolphins
• Sea birds

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Marine Studies II BEN203

• Describe the variety and nature of microscopic animals which occur in marine environments.
• Describe the variety and nature of a range of different types of marine plants.
• Describe the variety and nature of a range of different types of cnidarians and marine worms.
• Describe the variety and nature of arthropods in marine environments.
• Describe the variety and nature of Molluscs in marine environments.
• Differentiate between different classes of Echinoderms and selected families within those classes.
• Describe the shared characteristics and distinguishing features of a selection of different species of non-bony fish.
• Describe characteristics of bony fish, including anatomy, physiology and behaviour.
• Differentiate between different families of bony fish.
• Describe the taxonomic characteristics of groups of marine animals including reptiles, birds and mammals.

What You Will Do:

• Describe a protist.
• Draw a table to compare three different phyla of marine protists.
• Explain the differences between sponges, krill and plankton.
• Produce a table that compares the characteristics of the three different types of algae.
• Explain the difference between seaweed and seagrass.
• How important are marine plants to the survival of marine animals?
• Explain features that distinguish different types of worms apart, including: Flatworms, Ribbon Worms, Segmented Worms, Peanut Worms.
• Present a report on research on the Cnidarians.
• Explain the formation of coral reefs. Why are they considered one of the most biologically productive environments?
• What are the advantages of the arthropod’s body structure compared to the structure of the less complex animals studied so far in this course?
• Research the living environments of one local arthropod and consider how its body structure and feeding mechanism is adapted to its environment.
• What limitations in lifestyle and behaviour might be imposed by the structure of arthopods?
• Differentiate between cephalopods, gastropods and bivalves.
• Describe the feeding and defence mechanisms of two different molluscs.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the echinoderm’s radially symmetrical body.
• What are the feeding, breeding and defence characteristics of echinoderms?
• Select 3 echinoderms and describe their method of reproduction.
• Describe the sensory and behavioural adaptations that sharks and rays use for defence and feeding.
• Do sharks deserve their reputation as maneaters?
• What are the main differences between sharks and rays, and what are main benefits to them of these differences?
• Describe the relationship between a particular kind of lamprey (ideally, one found locally) and its host, considering who benefits and/or who does not, and why.
• List three families of local bony fish.
• Briefly describe the biological characteristics of three fish families: structure, feeding, colouration, reproductive, defence mechanisms,
• Discuss the behavioural characteristics of the three families you researched: territorial behaviour, migration, schooling, reproductive behaviour.
• Draw and describe the gills of bony fish, and explain their function.
•  What families of fish are characterised by their habit of sitting perched on their lower fins?
•  What are the special adaptations of fish and other marine organisms that live in the mid to deep zones of the ocean?
•  List the most significant bony fish that occur in your nearest marine waters, and briefly describe their marine environment.
•  Research in detail 1 marine reptile and 2 marine mammals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.