BIO3810 Tropical aquatic biology
Faculty of Science
BIO3810 Tropical aquatic biology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It needs BIO2810 or BIO2011.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Malaysia
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before BIO3810
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After BIO3810
No unit lists BIO3810 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Overview
In this unit you will learn the biology of tropical aquatic ecosystems which focuses on South East Asia, (the Malaysian region in particular) but will also encompass aquatic environments in other parts of the tropics. You will examine the ecology and diversity of communities in coral reefs, oceans, sandy and rocky shores, estuaries, lakes, rivers and swamps. You will gain an understanding of the physical and chemical factors that affect these environments. You will study the conservation and management issues such as the impacts of tourism, pollution, fisheries, wetland drainage and river regulation
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Mini reviewWritten25%
- Proposal for an ecological experimentWritten20%
- Marine field trip video assignmentArtefact25%
- Freshwater field trip reportProject30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity and ecology of freshwater and marine environments in the tropics with particular reference to the Malaysian region;
- 2
Demonstrate an understanding of the conservation and management issues relating to aquatic ecosystems;
- 3
Design sampling programs for the analysis of flora and fauna of aquatic habitats;
- 4
Demonstrate the ability to scientifically identify and classify aquatic animals and plants from tropical Malaysian ecosystems;
- 5
Synthesise and communicate advanced scientific concepts in tropical aquatic biology through scientific reports, oral and visual presentations;
- 6
Work collaboratively and effectively in the field in tropical environments.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories18 hours
- Lectures24 hours
- Tutorials12 hours
- Teaching approachField trips
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Two 1-hour lectures;
- One 1-hour tutorial and
- Six hours of independent study per week, plus
- One 3-hour practical session for six weeks;
- Field trip (minimum 3 days or 24 hours) per semester
Learning resources
Required resources
Dudgeon, D. (Ed) 2008, Tropical Stream Ecology. Elsevier
Dudgeon, D. 1999, Tropical Asian Streams. Hong Kong University Press
Krebs, C. J. (1994). Ecology; the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance
Molles CMJ. 2016. Ecology: Concepts and Applications. 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill Education International edition
Moss, B. 1998, Ecology of fresh waters: man and medium, past to future. Blackwell Science Sumich, J.L., 1999, An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life. WCB/McGraw Hill
Where it fits
BIO3810 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Foo Su Chern
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Foo Su Chern
Common questions
When is BIO3810 offered?
In 2025, BIO3810 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.
Does BIO3810 have an exam?
No. BIO3810 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include BIO3810?
BIO3810 is part of Tropical environmental biology.