Station Biologique de RoscoffGeneral information
Biodiversity of Marine Fauna is a Master’s-level course in Marine Biology that primarily aims to teach taxonomy of marine animals for the identification of the typical coastal habitat species in their natural environment. This course naturally includes the biology and ecology of marine animal species in relationship to their habitat.
The course revolves around a number of field outings to various types of coastal habitat, accessible at low tide, and during which in situ observations, surveys and sampling are carried out. Sampled species are then observed under the dissecting or optical microscopes back at the laboratory to identify and apply the biological and taxonomic criteria presented during lectures. Students work independently on taxonomic identification and gain practice in using identification keys. The observation of organisms both in the field and in the laboratory encourages a deductive approach to understanding organisms’ lifestyles and their adaptations to their environment.
Topics addressed in the course:
- Introduction to systematics: phylogeny and taxonomy
- Features of the main groups of marine metazoans (polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, sponges, hydrozoans, bryozoans, chordates), including:
- Anatomical body plan of the phylum and/or the main taxa
- Systematic criteria that identify the taxa by OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units)
- Morphological and functional adaptations of species, with regard to their natural environment and their vertical zonation
- Lifestyles and their adapted major functions (respiration, nutrition, locomotion and reproduction)
- Tides and vertical zonation of communities
Practical fieldwork
Exploration of various types of coastal environments of the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean to demonstrate:
- high- and low-shore levels of rocky habitats
- sandy and sandy/muddy shores
- exposed shore
- seagrass beds
Practical laboratories:
- Observations of live material and demonstration of body plans of characteristic coastal taxa
- Practice in using species identification keys
- Practice in preparing slides necessary for identifying certain species
Independent study: independent study and presentation of an analysis of a biotope and its characteristic species conducted by small groups of students; analysis is based solely on field outings, samples in the field and observations and analyses in the lab.
From the lectures combined with field and lab work, students build up a sound knowledge base on:
- systematics and the recognition of phyla and families of the most typical marine animal species found on the Roscoff coasts, and methods for determining marine animals to the species level;
- morphological and functional adaptations related to the lifestyles of coastal and nearshore organisms;
- the main types of coastal and nearshore environments along with their typical species composition.
Content
The highlighted icons, represent the fields of education (in compliance with ISCED Classification) engaged during this course/programme.
Venue
Roscoff, France
Place Georges Teissier
29680 Roscoff
Application
Cost:
<ul> <li class="rtejustify">Registration Fee for non UPMC students 55,10€. </li> <li class="rtejustify">Accommodation is available at the CNRS-operated Hôtel de France. Single or double rooms, according to availability. From Monday to Friday, lunch is available at the Gulf Stream CNRS-operated restaurant (Fees2014, Room + breakfast: 11€ per night / Lunch: 4,10€ per meal).</li> </ul>
Prerequisites:
This course is open to 3rd year undergraduate students, 1rst year master students and superior level from French or foreign universities. These summer schools are also open to continuing professionnal development trainees whose professionnal activities require knowledge in systematics, biology and marine ecology.
Application Procedure:
To register please fill in and return your application form to ccabresin@sb-roscoff.fr. Download the application form "Summer schools 2015". The application must be returned along with:
- Exam results of the last 2 semesters
- Copy of passport
- Copy of a valid student card for the year 2014/2015
- Health insurance statement
- Civil liability statement
- Identity photo
Additionally, send the application and relevant documents by post to:
Station Biologique de Roscoff / UPMC, Service enseignement, Place Georges Teissier CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff cedex. France
Registration Deadline: 3rd of April 2015
Qualification
Assessment:
After passing a final examination on effectively acquired knowledge, a certificate is issued to attest to participation and successful completion of the course. The course is accredited by the Diversity of Life Doctoral School and is worth 75 hr of compulsory course credits for PhD students.
Credits:
Biodiversity of Marine Fauna is a Master’s-level course in Marine Biology that primarily aims to teach taxonomy of marine animals for the identification of the typical coastal habitat species in their natural environment. This course naturally includes the biology and ecology of marine animal species in relationship to their habitat.
The course revolves around a number of field outings to various types of coastal habitat, accessible at low tide, and during which in situ observations, surveys and sampling are carried out. Sampled species are then observed under the dissecting or optical microscopes back at the laboratory to identify and apply the biological and taxonomic criteria presented during lectures. Students work independently on taxonomic identification and gain practice in using identification keys. The observation of organisms both in the field and in the laboratory encourages a deductive approach to understanding organisms’ lifestyles and their adaptations to their environment.
Topics addressed in the course:
- Introduction to systematics: phylogeny and taxonomy
- Features of the main groups of marine metazoans (polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, sponges, hydrozoans, bryozoans, chordates), including:
- Anatomical body plan of the phylum and/or the main taxa
- Systematic criteria that identify the taxa by OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units)
- Morphological and functional adaptations of species, with regard to their natural environment and their vertical zonation
- Lifestyles and their adapted major functions (respiration, nutrition, locomotion and reproduction)
- Tides and vertical zonation of communities
Practical fieldwork
Exploration of various types of coastal environments of the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean to demonstrate:
- high- and low-shore levels of rocky habitats
- sandy and sandy/muddy shores
- exposed shore
- seagrass beds
Practical laboratories:
- Observations of live material and demonstration of body plans of characteristic coastal taxa
- Practice in using species identification keys
- Practice in preparing slides necessary for identifying certain species
Independent study: independent study and presentation of an analysis of a biotope and its characteristic species conducted by small groups of students; analysis is based solely on field outings, samples in the field and observations and analyses in the lab.
To register please fill in and return your application form to ccabresin@sb-roscoff.fr. Download the application form "Summer schools 2015". The application must be returned along with:
- Exam results of the last 2 semesters
- Copy of passport
- Copy of a valid student card for the year 2014/2015
- Health insurance statement
- Civil liability statement
- Identity photo
Additionally, send the application and relevant documents by post to:
Station Biologique de Roscoff / UPMC, Service enseignement, Place Georges Teissier CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff cedex. France
Registration Deadline: 3rd of April 2015
After passing a final examination on effectively acquired knowledge, a certificate is issued to attest to participation and successful completion of the course. The course is accredited by the Diversity of Life Doctoral School and is worth 75 hr of compulsory course credits for PhD students.
From the lectures combined with field and lab work, students build up a sound knowledge base on:
- systematics and the recognition of phyla and families of the most typical marine animal species found on the Roscoff coasts, and methods for determining marine animals to the species level;
- morphological and functional adaptations related to the lifestyles of coastal and nearshore organisms;
- the main types of coastal and nearshore environments along with their typical species composition.
This course is open to 3rd year undergraduate students, 1rst year master students and superior level from French or foreign universities. These summer schools are also open to continuing professionnal development trainees whose professionnal activities require knowledge in systematics, biology and marine ecology.
