MARINE 703 Marine Protected Areas uses a number of approaches to develop highly specialised knowledge and skills in the field of marine protected areas, and then requires students to apply these through a large independent project (55% final grade).
Students are given a series of seminars by leading researchers and practitioners in the field, which provides specialist knowledge on the current issues in Marine Protected Area (MPA) management and the latest findings from MPA research. Students gain additional knowledge by undertaking a critical review of recent literature and through field trips to two marine reserves in the Auckland region. A number of fundamental skills are taught and assessed, including critical assessment of literature and peer review, designing and planning research, communicating research plans and findings through seminars. The course also teaches important practical skills specific to the field of MPAs, in particular a practical assessment (20% final grade) using the Zonation MPA planning software. Current research related to MPAs is reviewed, including planning principles and processes for designing MPAs, and the role of MPAs in science, conservation of biological diversity, and fisheries. Practical components include visits to marine reserves, learning MPA planning software, and analysis of MPA related data. The knowledge and skills gained are applied with an independent research project on a related topic.
The knowledge and skill gained above are applied in an independent research project worth 55% of the final grade. The goal is to select a topic or question and conduct original research into it, and report this as a research paper. It can be a desk-based study or research project involving data collection and analysis. Marks are split between the final written paper, a proposal and two prior presentations on the topic to the class. Students are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge of their field, develop and present their new ideas within this project.
On completion of MARINE 703 students will be literate, highly knowledgeable, and articulate in science and management issues around MPA with appropriate professional skills in scientific methods and communication.