About the Course

This course will help you learn about benefits of using life organisms in the studies on waters quality, what are principles behind the design of monitoring systems in marine environments, how to study ocean ecosystems function, and the challenges we face due to human activities. These topics will be explored using case studies from the Baltic Sea which is one of the most threatened seas on the globe. The course starts with fundamental definitions, concepts and problems in ecological water assessment. Once these basics are covered, we will work through methods and techniques used to assess the ecological status and explore their suitability and effectiveness. Finally, we will cover main threats to sustaining healthy marine ecosystems for the future and familiarise with conservation initiatives in oceans.

Course Syllabus

  Module 1

  Module 2

  Module 3

Recommended background

Some familiarity with basic biological and ecological concepts would be beneficial but the course is open to all interested students.

Suggested readings

All readings for the course are published in the open access.

Course format

The class will consist of a series of lecture videos that are between 10 and 20 minutes in length, followed by short presentations and ungraded quiz questions. Students will be asked also to read and understand several research articles or official documents.

FAQ

Q: Does the course offer Verified Certificates?

A: No, this course does not offer Verified Certificates

Q: What resources will I need for this class?

A: A stronger internet connection will be helpful but we will try to ensure materials are available for slower bandwidths as well. No other computer programs are necessary.