BIOSCI 100G Antarctica: The Frozen Continent
A general introduction to Antarctica and its environs including the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic islands. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of Antarctica and how resident plants, animals and microorganisms have adapted to cope with the extreme environment.
Specific topics to be addressed include the history of Antarctic exploration and its impact on the development of Antarctic science, Antarctic ecosystems, Antarctica as a wilderness region, and the impact of humans including the exploitation of resources and the effects of pollution.
Antarctica is often referred to as "the forgotten continent", yet is has major influences on global weather and climate that are susceptible to events occurring in the more populous continents. This course is designed for students who wish to know more about the world around them, particularly with respect to Antarctica and its environs, and the impacts humans have had on this pristine continent since its first discovery.
It is suitable for students with both science and non-science backgrounds.
At the end of this course you will have an understanding of the significance of Antarctica from historical, geological, geographical, chemical, physical, biological, political and sociological perspectives.
- An introduction to Antarctica
- Earth Science (Geography; Geology; Climate and Weather)
- Water Science (Snow and Ice; Ice and Oceans; Lakes and Rivers)
- Biodiversity (Life in Lakes and Rivers; Terrestrial Organisms; Marine Plankton and other Invertebrates)
- Fish Biology (Fish diversity; Fish Adaptations; Antifreeze)
- Antarctic Birds (Land and Seabirds; Penguins; Emperor Penguins)
- Marine Mammals (Seals; Whales; Foodwebs)
- Exploration (Early Explorers; Race for the Pole; End of the Heroic Age)
- Antarctic Politics; (The IGY and its Consequences; The Antarctic Treaty; Human Survival)
- Human Impacts (The Ozone Hole; Global Warming; Pollution)
- Exploitation (Fishes, Krill and Minerals; Penguins and Seals; Whales)
Course material is available on-line through Cecil, the Enterprise Learning Management System, to which all students enrolled in courses at The University of Auckland have automatic access.
There are no formal lectures. Tutorials are offered on a weekly basis. Assorted on-line tasks need to be completed every week, and will be discussed in the tutorial sessions. This course also includes some small literature assignments and two essays. Students are expected to become familiar with Cecil in order to undertake the course.
- Assignments: 40%
- In-course Test: 20%
- Examination: 40%
- N.B. To pass the course overall, the combined In-course Test and Examination (60%) and the combined assignments (40%) must be passed separately
Recommended reading; McGonigal, D and Wordsworth, L (2002): Antarctica the blue continent. Random House NZ, Auckland.
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