MARINE STUDIES II - BEN203

MARINE STUDIES DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE

"A fascinating insight into marine life"

• Learn to identify a wider range of marine organisms
• Learn about the physiology and anatomy of marine animals
• Work in ecotourism or marine industries, start a business or increase your employability
• Self paced, 100 hour course

1. Introduction and Simple Organisms (Protists, Sponges etc)
2. Marine Plants
3. Cnidarians and Worms:
   • Anemones
   • Jellyfish
   • Crustaceans
   • Flatworms
4. Arthropods
5. Molluscs
6. Echinoderms:
   • Starfish
   • Sea Urchins
   • Sea Cucumbers
7. Non Bony Fishes:
   • Lampreys
   • Hagfishes
   • Sharks
   • Rays
8. Bony Fishes I
9. Bony Fishes II
10. Marine Mammals

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.

COURSE DURATION: 100 hours

COURSE AIMS

• 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 THE COURSE COVERS
Some of these activities are:

• 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.
• Explain 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 are adapted to its environment.
• Discuss 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.
• Describe 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.
• Discuss whether sharks deserve their reputation as maneaters.
• Explain the the main differences between sharks and rays, and the main benefits to these creatures 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.
• Identify families of fish characterised by their habit of sitting perched on their lower fins.
• Describe 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.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

I don’t think this is the right course for me.

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

Recognition and Accreditation

For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

MARINE STUDIES HOME STUDY COURSE

"A fascinating insight into marine life"

This course follows on from Marine studies I, extending your knowledge of a wide variety of marine organisms.  It works through many types of marine organisms, focusing mostly on those not covered as well in Marine Studies II (This includes: Protists, Sponges, Marine plants, Cnidarians, Worms, Arthropods, Molluscs, Echinoderms, Non Bony Fish, Selected Bony Fish and selected Marine Mammals).