Course Syllabus

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Biology of Marine Mammals 

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Semester & Location:

Fall 2017 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Biology & Environmental Science 
Faculty Members:

Hanne Strager
Program Director:

Neringa B. Vendelbo - nb@dis.dk
Time & Place:

Tuesday & Friday, 11.40 - 13.00

Description of Course

A comparative study of marine mammal anatomy, morphology, physiology, life history and behavior, and adaptation to marine existence. The course includes the study of the effect of human activities on marine mammals with special reference to Northern European waters.

Learning Objectives

Biology of Marine Mammals is an introduction to marine mammals. By the end of this course you will be able to compare the different taxa of marine mammals. You will also identify the main evolutionary, physiological, and morphological differences between the taxa. You will know several species from each taxa and be able to compare these with each other in terms of a number of aspects, such as conservation status, common threats, reproductive and feeding strategies. Some focus will be on the marine mammals and research in Denmark and a number of prominent researchers within their field of expertise will give guest lectures and provide insight on field studies.

During the course you will learn that not everything has been fully investigated yet and that some questions remain unanswered. History also plays a role in marine mammal science, which in the forms of evolution, hunting and technology, can help us better understand these animals. The course will build throughout the semester – you will learn the basics first so you understand the main taxa before discussing them or problems related to specific animals. After completing this course, you will be able to relate your knowledge to a broader picture and discuss problems related to marine mammal populations today.

Faculty

Hanne Strager is a marine mammal biologist (M. sc.), author and science writer. She is a co-founder of The Whale Center in Andenes, Norway and is currently involved in the establishment of a whale museum in Norway. Her research interests are population dynamics, movements and migration and life history parameters of killer whales.  She has been the director of Exhibitions and Public Engagement at the Natural History Museum of Denmark during 2003-2016. With DIS from 1996-2003 and again from 2017.

Readings

The main text book for the class is "Marine Mammals, Evolutionary biology", by Annalisa Berta (Author), James L. Sumich (Author), Kit M. Kovacs (Author). Academic Press 2005

Castellini, M. Thermoregulation. Pp 1166-1171.. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Costa. D. Energetics. PP. 383-390. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Williams, T. Swimming. PP. 1140-1147 In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Kooyman, G. Diving Physiology. PP. 327-332. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Dudzinski, K.M et al. Communication. PP. 260-268. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

 Ford, J.K.B. Dialects. PP. 310-311. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Sayigh, L.S. and Janik, V.M. Signature Whistles. PP. 1014-1016 In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Darling, J. Song. PP. 1053-1055 In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Trillmich, F. Sociobiology. PP. 1047-1053. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2nd. Ed. (W.P. Perrin, B. Würsig and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

This text will be supplemented with chapters from "Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals", Third Edition 3rd Edition by Bernd Würsig (Editor), J.G.M. Thewissen (Editor), Kit M. Kovacs (Editor)

Various handouts and papers wil also be used.

Field Studies

Visit to the Zoological Museum (part of the Natural History Museum of Denmark) to study the famous whale collection and see the exhibitions with a special emphaisis of marine mammal specimens.

Boat trip on Øresund to see marine mammals in the wild and learn how to observe in the field. 

Guest Lecturers

Guest lecturers will be prominent Danish scientists working on marine mammals in Denmark or Greenland

Approach to Teaching

The classes will be a combination of traditional lectures, dialouge and discussion, small exercises and often video or film to illustrate wild animal behavior or biology.

Expectations of the Students

In general…

  • Critically read the assigned readings before class with the help of handouts and questions for the given lecture, including on days with tests. In the class room we will not cover all the material in the assigned text, but will focus on key concepts, processes and subjects within the biology of marine mammals
  • Laptop use is not allowed unless specified. Occasionally, I will ask you to search for something, and in these cases internet searches are allowed.
  • The use of mobile phones is not allowed during class.
  • Participate during discussions, group work and common ‘sum ups’ during lectures.
  • Hand in your papers and assignments on time.

Evaluation

 

Evaluation is a combination of tests, attendence and performance in assignments

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.

Participation Covers the Following Areas:

  1. Attendance
  2. Completion of reading assignments
  3. Level of preparation and ability to answer questions asked in class
  4. Involvement in class and group discussions
  5. Active participation in field studies
  6. Level of individual research and contribution to discussions
  7. Being on time to all class meetings and handing in papers and assignments on time
  8. Asking questions when you don’t understand or want further explanation of a subject

Participation is evaluated after each class/field study and used to calculate the final participation at the end of the semester. Good participation equals a grade of A to B+, average participation equals a grade of B to B-, low participation equals a grade C+ or below.

Grading

What is the grading breakdown by area? 

Assignment

Percent

 Midterm Test

25%

 Participation

20%

Journal Club Assignment 

25%

Final Test

30

 

 

Policies

Attendance

You are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for religious holidays, medical reasons, or other valid reasons, you must let us know as far in advance as possible of the absence and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed.

It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment

DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others.   Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software.  See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

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Course Summary:

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