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MARINE STUDIES II - BEN203

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment

A fascinating insight into marine life!

This course follows on from Marine studies I, extending your knowledge of a wide variety of marine organisms.

 

Marine Studies II delves into Protists, Sponges, Marine plants, Cnidarians, Worms, Arthropods, Molluscs, Echinoderms, Non-Bony Fish, Selected Bony Fish and selected Marine Mammals, and more!

This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success. 

 

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Continue your marine studies with this follow-on course to Marine Studies I.

 

  • 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.
 
COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
This course has 10 lessons:

1. Introduction and Simple Organisms

  • Terminology
  • Classification or taxonomy
  • Simple and microscopic organisms
  • Types of protozoans
  • 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 & 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

  1. Lampreys
  2. Hagfishes
  3. Sharks
  4. Rays

8. Bony Fishes I

  • Introduction
  • Terminology
  • Structure and biological characteristics
  • Classification

9. Bony Fishes II

  • Families within Oesteichyes
  • Mesopelagic fish: distribution, life history and ecology
  • Clupeids (e.g., sardine, herring)
  • Tunas: types, life history, feeding, predators
  • Mackerels
  • Bill Fish (Marlins, spear fish, sail fish)

10. Marine Mammals and Higher Animals

  1. Marine reptiles: sea snakes, sea turtles, crocodilians
  2. Pinnipeds (seals walruses, Seal lions
  3. Dugongs and Manatees
  4. Whales and Dolphins
  5. 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. 


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.

 

DOLPHINS, PORPOISES, TOOTHED WHALES

Dolphins and porpoises are actually types of toothed whales (Suborder Odontoceti).

In contrast to baleen whales, toothed whales have to actively pursue and catch their prey. To compensate for this need for a greater degree of agility and speed, their body size is normally much smaller than that of their baleen relatives. A majority of the toothed whales are relatively small such as the river dolphins and porpoises (more detail shown below).

They have teeth so that they can hold their prey of fish and squid. Unlike other mammals that have two sets of teeth during their lifetime, toothed whales only possess one set of teeth throughout their life. They also possess only one blowhole, unlike baleen whales that have two. As they do not possess vocal cords, all sounds are produced within the blowhole.

Another feature that distinguishes toothed whales from baleen whales is the use of a special system of sound seeing called echolocation. Given that visibility in the water column can be limited due to such factors as absorption or turbidity, they use echolocation to orient themselves in their environment and also to find their prey. 

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

The sperm whale is one of the more well known toothed whales. This whale possesses the largest whale of any animal. The name “sperm whale” is termed for the milky-white substance that is found in the animal’s head. Mature males can grow to over 20 metres in length and in large males the head can account for 1/3 of the whale’s length. The sperm whale can inhabit a range of cold water and tropical oceans and seas. 

Dolphins (Family Delphinidae)

There are just under 40 species of dolphin worldwide. They can vary greatly in size from 1.2 m (40 kg) in the Maui’s dolphin to 9.5 m (10 tonnes) in the Orca. Dolphins are social animals, living in pods of up to 12 animals.  Dolphins have adopted a range of feeding behaviours, however most feed on fish and squid. All use echolocation to find prey. The orca being the exception, feeding on other marine mammals. Some representatives of the dolphin family include:

  • Bottlenose Dolphin (Genus Tursiops) 
  • Common Dolphin (Genus Delphinus)
  • Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis)
  • Killer Whale or Orca (Orincus orca)
  • Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)

Porpoises (Family Delphinidae; Subfamily Phocoenidea)

These animals are similar to dolphins, though they differ physically by having shorter beaks and spade-shaped teeth. They live in all oceans, but stay closer to shore. They use echolocation to hunt, like the dolphins and prey on crustaceans, squid and fish. Examples include:

  • Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaeniodes)
  • Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
  • Spectacled Porpoise (Phocoena dioptrica)
  • Dall’s Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)


Why Study with ACS?

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Study at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time. 

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Meet some of our academics

Alison Pearce (general)P.G.Cert. Ed., M.Ecotourism, S.Sc. (Hons). Alison has held many positions including: University Lecturer, Writer, Quality Assurance Manager, Research Technician, Vet Nurse and stockwoman. Over 30 years industry experience, mostly in Australia and the UK.. Alison originally graduated with an honors degree in science from university and beyond that has completed post graduate qualifications in education and eco-tourism. She has managed veterinary operating theatre, responsible for animal anaesthesia, instrument preparation, and assistance with surgical techniques and procedures.
Dr. Gareth PearceGraduated from the University of Nottingham in 1982 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Between 82 and 85 worked as Research Assistant and Demonstator in Animal Science at the University of Leeds. Over more than 30 years he has furthered his studies, obtaining eight significant university qualifications including degrees in Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation and Animal Behaviour. Gareth has significant teaching experience around the world as a faculty member at eight different universities including Associate Professor at Murdoch University and Director of Studies in Veterinary Science at Cambridge University. He has over 100 prestigious research papers published, and enjoys an outstanding international reputation in the fields of animal and veterinary science.
Marius Erasmus Subsequent to completing a BSc (Agric) degree in animal science, Marius completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.


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Animal HealthUnderstand animal health issues, diseases and how identify and manage illnesses and injuries. Animals can become sick for many different reasons -diseases caused by infections, injuries, poisoning, genetic disorders, poor nutrition and other things.
Professional Practice for ConsultantsExplore becoming a consultant. This ebook contains chapters on how to be a consultant, packaging your services, delivering the services, building your resources, finding the work and getting the job, planning and ethics.
Professional WritingProfessional writing is any writing that you are being paid for. It can include fiction writing, a best-selling book, articles in a magazine, articles in a newspaper, blogs for companies, technical manuals or procedure manuals, copy for catalogues, newsletters, text books and other academic material and so on.