Details of LS4208 (Spring 2016)

Level: 4 Type: Theory Credits: 3.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
LS4208 Marine Biology Punyasloke Bhadury

Preamble


  • Thermal Physics: Kinetic theory of gases. Derivation of the ideal gas laws based on kinetic theory. The first law of thermodynamics. Applications to ideal gas processes. Carnot cycle. The second law of thermodynamics. The concept of entropy.

  • Basics of Electromagnetism: Electrostatics - electric field and potential. Electric flux - analogy with fluid flow. Gauss law and its applications. Magnetism - Amperes law and applications. Faraday's law and electromagnetic induction.

  • Special Theory of Relativity: Einstein's postulates. The invariant interval. Lorentz boost (derivation not required). Phenomenological consequences. Redefinition of momentum. The mass energy relation.

  • The Nucleus: Nuclear reactions and decay. Basics of nuclear fission and fusion.


Syllabus


  • ntroduction to Marine Biology: Basic knowledge of the range of organisms, both plant and animal, in the sea; fundamentals of chemical oceanography; structure of ocean basins, marine sediments; fundamentals of water movement, tides and currents;

  • Functional Biology of Marine Organisms: Functional biology of selected invertebrate and vertebrate marine groups including benthic, nektonic, planktonic and pelagic organisms; Marine organism assemblages in reefs, mangroves, intertidal, coastal and deep-sea environments

  • Marine Ecology: An overview of tropical marine ecology; Introduction to natural and anthropogenic processes that can influence the biotic communities in the marine environment; Impact assessment and monitoring;

  • Biological Oceanography: Plankton community structure and its interactions with the physical and chemical environment; Nutrients and productivity, zooplankton behaviour and life cycles and the distribution of planktonic species over space and time on a broad range of scales and factors influencing the survival of larval fish.

  • Coral reef ecology: Major aspects of coral reef ecology to be covered including population dynamics, reef community structure and diversity, effects of environmental disturbances, competition and predation, and reef management.

    This course will also include practical components including a trip to the near-shore ecosystem as well as getting students acquainted with measurements of basic hydrological and nutrient parameters in estuarine and coastal waters.

References


  1. Peter Castro and Michael Huber, Marine Biology 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill, (2003)



Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 2 Elective
2 IP 4 Elective
3 IP 6 Not Allowed
4 MR 2 Not Allowed
5 MR 4 Not Allowed
6 MS 8 Elective
7 RS 1 Elective
8 RS 2 Elective