spring 2026
BIO-3506 Top predators in polar marine ecosystems: Biology, Role and Management implications - 10 ECTS

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Type of course

The course is aimed at students enrolled in the master’s program in biology and exchange students with similar background.

Mandatory prerequisites: minimum 10 ECTS in ecology (BIO-2017 or equivalent) and statistics (BIO-2004 or equivalent).

The course will only run if a minimum of 5 students are registered by the start date.

The course is offered every other year.

Course content

Through lectures, seminars, and computer labs, the objective of the course is to provide an overview of and insight into the biology, ecology, and management of marine top predators in polar ecosystems with strong emphasis on marine mammals. There will be particular emphasis on the ecological importance of these marine top predators in relation to ecosystem-based approach to species management in polar environments.

The lectures and seminars will provide theoretical background on the physiology, feeding behavior, social structure, demography, and reproduction of selected species with examples from Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems. The course will also review the anthropogenic threats (e.g., climate change, pollution, fisheries, etc.) that marine top predators are facing and how science-based knowledge can be used by policy makers for a sustainable management of polar ecosystems. During computer/data labs, students will learn how to extract, analyse, and interpret tracking data.

Topics include:

  • Demography - life history
  • Physiology of Arctic animals
  • Fish and other top predators
  • Research in captivity and ethics
  • Spatial ecology
  • Ecophysiology/stress ecology
  • Zoonosis
  • Food web approach to the role of top predators
  • Biophysical interactions
  • Chemical and physical pollution
  • Climate change
  • Fisheries and bycatch
  • Top predators as a resource
  • Top predator’s impact assessment- sustainability
  • Abundance estimation
  • Management-legal aspects

Recommended prerequisites

BIO-2004 Study design and data analysis in Biology, BIO-2017 Ecology

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

Students

  • have in-depth knowledge of the biology, physiology and ecology of polar marine top predators
  • have advanced knowledge of the ecological role of top predators in polar marine ecosystems
  • have thorough understanding of the population dynamics and spatial ecology of top predator species
  • can explain the consumption and feeding ecology of top predators in relation to their energetics
  • can identify the anthropogenic pressures on marine top predators (climate change, marine pollution, harvest, fisheries etc.)
  • can outline and assess the methodologies for monitoring marine top predators in polar regions
  • have solid understanding of the ecosystem-based approach to marine top predators’ management and principles of Arctic governance

Skills

Students

  • can understand and critically reflect on literature about the ecological role of polar marine top predators
  • can evaluate and discuss scientific topics related to the ecosystem-based approach to species management
  • can reproduce and implement relevant study designs
  • can extract, analyze, and interpret tagging data in the lab

General competence

Students

  • have a holistic understanding of the ecological role of top predators in polar environments
  • can integrate knowledge of legal, regulatory and ethical considerations relating to ecosystem-based management within the broader societal context
  • can work independently with scientific literature and exert their critical thinking by combining information and discussing ecosystem-based management data with their peers (through group activities and student-active learning activities during lectures/seminars)
  • develop scientific writing and oral skills by communicating scientific knowledge concisely, both orally and in writing
  • can implement ecosystem-based approaches to species management

Language of instruction and examination

Language of instruction is English.

The written exam will be in English and answers can be written in English or a Scandinavian language. The oral presentations must be in English.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, participation to the annual NAMMCO marine mammal student symposium, oral presentations, computer lab/data analyses and lab work (dissection of bycatch species).

Information to incoming exchange students

This module is open for exchange students with bachelor degree in Biology who fullfill the prerequisites.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=510412

Schedule

Schedule

Examination

Examination: Duration: Grade scale:
School exam 4 Hours A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:
Oral presentation Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

Students will hold an oral presentation given in class in front of their peers. The oral presentation will be submitted as group work of 2(3)-3(4) students. Assignments for oral presentations will be given 2 weeks in advance and will include topics like those given during the final exam. The oral presentations will therefore allow the students to understand what is expected from them during the final exam.

Approved work requirements are valid for three years.

Re-sit examination

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: BIO-3506
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic