ENV BIOL 3520 - Research Methods in Marine Biology III

Using industry standards in the practice of marine biology this course provides education in the methods of collection, analysis and reporting of coastal, aquarium and institutional laboratory data, and their experimental design. Lectures outline the fundamental disagreements in approach to science and quantitative sciences and the scientific and societal value of robust experimental methods. Some knowledge of basic statistics is required. Experimental design will be emphasised, and the elements of statistical tests, including linear modelling, will be considered in a variety of biological, planning and legal contexts. Practical work involves use of structured thinking to resolving spatial problems of sampling, computers and software, and will complement methods introduced in lectures. An understanding of the unique issues of problem solving marine sampling wave exposed and changing ocean environments are developed in a series of workshops. These workshops provide a sampling and statistical basis for students to consider the fundamental elements of developing their own sampling or experimental projects in an actual or simulated marine environment. This coverage of fundamental areas of sampling and statistical analysis, known to cause problems for marine biologists in their understanding and implementation of advice from statistician, bridges known gaps between biological training and industry needs.