The student will be able to recognise the main groups of organisms present on the North Atlantic foreshore, as well as the main tidal level markers. They will be able to make links between the level at which the organism is found on the foreshore and its physiology. They will have learned to find organisms in their natural environment, to recognize them and to observe them in situ. The student will be able to recognise the major groups of seabirds. They will be able to discuss conservation issues. They will learn to keep a field notebook. Finally, he/she will be able to work in a group and eventually write a group report.
The general objective of this course is to familiarise students with the fauna and flora of a coastal region. Several topics will be covered during the course: 1) The biology of organisms on the foreshore; 2) An introduction to ornithology; 3) An introduction to phycology; 4) The societal impact of a research station and an environmental management station. In addition, students are required to complete a group assignment that requires good management of time and the biological and literary resources available to them. The Animal Diversity and Evolution course in Block 1 (SBIOB126) is a mandatory prerequisite for participation in this course.
This course is divided into two phases. The first phase will consist of 3 sessions of 2 hours of practical work in the laboratory (TP B22, UNamur). During these sessions, the necessary information for the good preparation of the internship will be provided. In addition, the students are familiarised with the appropriate tools for field ecology by broadly addressing the few important notions that we will have the opportunity to deepen during the course. These exercises will be based on a PowerPoint presentation and will include organism determinations, carried out in groups of 4 to 5 students. The second phase will consist of a week's field training on the Armor coast in Brittany. The organisation of the week will be based on the rhythm of the tides. At ebb tide, the observation and collection of samples will allow the precise identification of the species as well as their location in their biotope. Back in the laboratory, experiments will complete this information by highlighting certain physiological characteristics (reaction to light, to osmotic modifications... modes of locomotion... functioning of filtration organs...). In addition to these In addition, there will be a visit to the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) and a boat tour of the 7 islands nature reserve, which will introduce us to marine ornithology and conservation biology, a visit to the Roscoff Biological Station research centre and finally a study of the Slikke and Schorre: special biotopes of salt meadows located between land and sea. Compulsory practical sessions (3x2h): Animal biology practical room TPB22 UNamur Internship : Côtes-d'Armor, Bretagne France. Accommodation and lab: le Bailly centre (Île Grande) The dates of the course are not chosen at random. They depend solely on the tidal cycle. The course necessarily requires to leave during the periods of strong tides which from year to year fall at the end of March or beginning of April. This week is determined during September-October.
The assessment is multi-level and can be modified from year to year depending on the number of students participating and the visits made. Animal and plant identification skills are assessed in the laboratory using professional identification keys. An individual assessment also takes place in the field on the last afternoon of the course and consists of recognising and explaining the organisms observed. Proactivity and compliance with instructions during each activity are also taken into account. The notebook will also be evaluated.
In case of failure, there is no second session organised (continuous assessment during the course) except for the identification of organisms based on keys that can be help in the TP lab at UNamur.
Recommended reading: • Guide Delachaux: guide to the seaside A guide will be provided for each group of 4 students, but it is still worthwhile having your own guide.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Biology | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Bachelor in Biology | Standard | 2 | 3 |