Full details about course syllabus fees and progression will be provided.
Periodic Tutor-Marked Assignments, No Exams.
**Reasonable standard of literacy**
£9.99 – £29.99
Our brand-new Marine Biology Course will give you a thorough grounding in the fascinating and stimulating subject of life in the sea. The course delivers all of the underpinning knowledge required for anyone wanting to pursue a career in Marine Biology, or perhaps involved in any of the pastimes and sports associated with the sea, including sub aqua diving, Maritime archaeology, Marine conservation, and many others. The ocean is explored as an ecological habitat, and the incredible way aquatic animals, flora and fauna have evolved and adapted to be able to live, breed and flourish in the harsh marine environment. The seas all over the earth, from the Arctic north and Antarctic South to the Equator, and from the sunlit surface to the pitch black of the deepest ocean trenches, are examined in minute detail. Perhaps the most interesting part of the course deals with the human impact on the marine ecosystem.
One of the key benefits of studying Marine Biology with My Distance Learning College is that we deliver the entire package of course materials in a single dispatch. This enables our students to get a real feel for the overall structure and content of the course, and chart their progress much more effectively. The modular method of delivery favoured by other providers breaks up and interrupts the learning process. It actively prevents students from moving faster through sections they are more confident with, or taking more time over the deeper concepts that require more thought and comprehension. Plus: Students of my distance learning College automatically get free access to the acclaimed “iLearnitEasy” coursework management system, which makes submitting assignments, getting feedback and critique, and interacting with other students on the course for mutual support, an absolute breeze! Push-button simplicity . . .
If the prospect of exams frightens the life out of you, there is even more good news. There is no final exam! The low price of the course includes dedicated tutor support, regular critique and feedback, and all assignments are marked by one of our professional tutors. You can even pay by low direct debit instalments if funds are tight.
The Ocean Takes ShapeLife Evolves
Continental Drift
The Major Oceans
An Ocean is Born
An Ocean Dies
Consequences
Reversal
Basic Oceanography
Ocean Structure
Benthos
Ocean Zones
Major Habitats in the Ocean
Intertidal Zone
Challenges in the Intertidal Zone
Marine Life in the Intertidal Zone
Threats to the Intertidal Zone
The Polar Regions
Location and Countries in the Polar Regions
Weather
Mangroves
Marine Life in Mangroves
Threats to Mangroves
Sea grasses, or Sea Grass Beds
Sea grass Marine Life
Threats to Sea Grasses
Reefs
Coral Reef Formation
Major Types of Reefs
Tropical Coral Reefs
Cold Water Corals
Marine Life in a Coral Reef
Nudibranch
Threats to Coral Reefs
Pelagic Zone
Marine Life in the Pelagic Zone
The Deep Sea
Ocean Depth
Challenges Faced by Marine Life in the Deep Sea
Marine Life Found in the Deep Sea
Anglerfish
Pseudoliparis amblystomopsis
Hydrothermal Vents
What Are Hydrothermal Vents?
Types of Hydrothermal Vents
Where Are Hydrothermal Vents Found?
Kelp Forests
Ecosystem Architecture
Threats to Kelp Forests
Polar Regions
The Chemistry of Seawater and its Physical Properties
Salinity
Geochemistry
Compositional Differences from Freshwater
The Hydrologic Cycle
Human Consumption
Standard
Human Impacts
The physics of Light and Sound Propagation in the Ocean
Sound
Underwater Acoustics
Features of Underwater Sound Propagation
Speed of Sound Underwater
General Frequency Changes Underwater
Scattering and Reflection in Water Surface
Scattering and Reflection on the Seafloor
Application of Underwater Acoustics in Nature
Human Application of Underwater Acoustics
Sonar
Underwater Communication and Data Transfer
Marine Biology
Measurements
Sound speed
Comparison with Airborne Sound Levels
Hearing Sensitivity
Light
The Dynamics of Tides and Major Currents
Physics of Currents
Coastal Currents
Open Ocean Currents
Currents: Measurements and Data
How Life Evolved in the Ocean
Monoplacophora
Agnathan
Doliodus
Cooksonia
Tiktaalik
The Point of OriginThe Ingredients
Animals that Live in these Habitats
Food Webs in the Sea
Level One: Photoautotrophs
Phytoplankton
Sea grasses
Level Two: Herbivores
Level Three: Carnivores
Level Four: Top Predators
Alternative Food Chains
Marine Phytoplankton and Zooplankton
The Importance of Plankton
How does Plankton Underpin the Marine Food Web?
Primary Productivity
Marine Food Webs
Trophic levels
Producers
Consumers
Migration Patterns of Zooplankton
Endogenous Factors
Exogenous Factors
Types of Vertical Migration
Reasons for Vertical Migration
Significance with the Biological Pump
Global Distribution Patterns of Plankton
Differences from Season to Season
Differences from Year to Year
How life is Adapted to the Harsh Marine Environment
Salt Regulation:
Oxygen:
Temperatures:
Water Pressure:
Wind and Waves
Light
The Structures and Adaptations to Marine Living
Mola Mola
Reptiles
Mammals
Animals with Shells
Chiton
Biological Systems
Osmoregulation
Thermoregulation
Aquatic Locomotion of Marine Mammals
Aquatic Locomotion of Fish
Aquatic Locomotion of Marine Reptiles
Terrestrial Locomotion
Respiration
Solutions
Carbon Dioxide Release
Reproduction
Life Cycles
The Marine Life Cycle
Simple versus Complex Life Cycles
A Simple Life Cycle
A Complex Life Cycle
Life Cycle Pressures
Sexual or Asexual?
Seasons and Rhythms
Habitat use by Marine Organisms
Types of Marine Life Cycles
Microscopic Life Cycles
Marine Plant Life Cycles
Bacteria versus Multicellular Organisms
Fish
Fisheries
Pollution
Threats
Eutrophication
Introduced Species
Ocean Acidification
Environmental & Socioeconomic Impacts
The Impacts of Over-fishing
Open Access Fisheries
Poor Fisheries Management
Pirate Fishing
Subsidies
Lack of Protected Areas
Marine Life Imbalance
Decreased Food Security
Economic Loss
When you have successfully completed this course you will receive a MyDistance Learning College Diploma
Anybody with a reasonable standard of general education will be able to cope with the academic demands of the course. If you can read and write well enough to complete a job application, and have a good grasp of basic maths (add, subtract and divide) you should have no problems. The course materials are written in simple everyday language and the answers to your assignments will be completed in the same style.
In addition to the comprehensive course materials provided, you will receive a Study Guide to assist you.
The course covers the areas of study listed above through detailed exploration of the subject matter. You will also receive tasks and prompts for further personal exploration, plus research to carry out. This will also help you to keep track of how much you have learned. There are plenty of examples in the course materials, but personal research is expected.
The course materials and accompanying tasks will help you to develop the necessary knowledge and confidence to successfully complete the tutor marked assignments. The tasks are designed to encourage you to apply your knowledge, and help you to develop relevant research and academic writing skills.
Marine biology is the focus on the study of oceans, seas and all life that lives there (plants and animals). Oceanographers have very similar roles as marine biologists but they solely focus on oceans and seas.
A marine biologists looks closely at plant and animal life within seas and oceans. Much of the work is based on research and findings on investigations or projects that take place. You would be expected to write reports on these findings and publish them.
Employers would expect you to have a first/second class honours degree in maths or a science related subject. You would then have to undertake a Master’s degree in Oceanography or Marine Biology. In order to study at degree level you are usually expected to have five GCSE’s A*-C level including maths, English and science. You would then need three A-Levels one which would have to be science related. Please be aware different universities have different entry requirements.
Starting salaries for marine biologists can be between £18,000 – £25,000 a year.
Experiences marine biologists can earn around £38,000 to £44,000 a year
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