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Biological Oceanography

​​​​​​Students are exposed to the various biotic communities of the marine ecosystem.  Pelagic and benthic communities are discussed with special attention to plankton, nekton, coral reefs and seagrass beds.  The course also discusses nutrients cycles and biological productivity of the oceans and their measurements; biology and adaptations of seashore and deep sea organisms (reproduction, nutrition, respiration, osmoregulation, etc.); bioluminescence and economic aspects of marine biology.

Course Code: 
FAS 411
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Basic Computing for Biologists

​​​​​​This course will expose students to the application of computers and software in biological sciences. The course will introduce students to Computer hardware and software. They will be exposed to input and output devices, Windows Operating System and others. They will learn how to manage files in Windows and MS Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc). Students will be exposed to Word Processing, presentations in PowerPoint and uses of Excel for basic analyses and graphical presentations. Students will also be introduced to the use of the Internet and search engines for information retrieval on the web. Statistical packages (SPSS, MINITAB, GENSTAT etc.) for data analyses will be introduced to students. Graphic packages, such as SIGMAPLOT, will also be introduced. Uses of PCs in health and medicine, modelling DNA sequencing and analysis; use of laboratory equipment interfaced with computers for data collection. 

Course Code: 
BIO 315
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Biostatistics

This course applies statistical methods to biological information. It ideals with sampling techniques, data presentation, analysis and interpretation. Types of distribution (e.g.  normal, binomial, Poisson) are also discussed.  Analytical procedures including t-test, X2, F-ratio, correlation and regression will be used to analyse biological data.  Students will be taken through some basic experimental designs as well (e.g. CRD, RCD, factorilal design).

Course Code: 
BIO 312
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Research Methods in Biology

The course exposes students to the processes involved in the Scientific Method of investigation. There will be exercise in observational skills, asking questions, formulating hypotheses, experimental designs, biological techniques, data acquisition, analysis and scientific presentation. Students will be required to do a literature review on specific topics presentation to seminars. 

Course Code: 
BIO 399
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Brackishwater Ecology

Students are introduced to the structure, formation and processes of estuaries and lagoons.  The physical, chemical and biotic aspects of these brackishwater bodies are discussed.  The course examines the role of estuaries and lagoons in fisheries.  Also to be studied are the biology of selected (edible) brackishwater organisms as well as ecology of mangrove ecosystems.  

Course Code: 
FAS 307
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Integrated Coastal Zone Management I

This course examines the ecological processes and communities on seashores. The different types of seashores will be discussed in terms of their general characteristics; and distribution on the coast of Ghana.  Emphasis will be placed on adaptations as well as the physical, chemical and biological factors that influence distribution of organisms on the seashore.  Plant and animal communities on sandy and rocky beaches will be examined. Practical activities will include sampling, identification and population analysis of the flora and fauna of selected beaches.

Course Code: 
FAS 306
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Integrated Coastal Zone Management I

This course introduces students to the basic concepts and practices of Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).  The topics covered include:  introduction to ICZM; coastal ecosystems (e.g., mangrove swamps, coral reefs, sea grass beds, estuaries, lagoons, sandy & rocky shores, sand dunes and coastal savannah); natural coastal processes (e.g. geological processes, tides, waves tsunamis, currents, runoffs/floods, hurricanes and sediment transport/longshore drifts); and uses and opportunities of the coastal zone.  Traditional methods of management as well as sector versus integrated approaches for managing the coastal zone are discussed.

Course Code: 
FAS 305
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Habitat Ecology

This course focuses on terrestrial and aquatic habitats for organisms.  For terrestrial habitats, the major biomes (e.g. tropical rain forests, taiga, savannah, desert) will be discussed in relation to the influence of major environmental factors. Community development discussions will focus on concepts such as succession, climax, species diversity and productivity. The course also looks at major aquatic communities (i.e. neuston, plankton, nekton and benthos), environmental factors and their roles in aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological classification of aquatic organisms.

Course Code: 
BIO 302
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Physical Oceanography

Students are introduced to the marine ecosystem the physical, chemical and geomorphological characteristics of the ocean.  The roles of physical and chemical factors on marine life are discussed, and the students exposed to the techniques of measuring these factors. The mechanisms and significance of coastal upwelling and the El Nino phenomenon are also examined.

Course Code: 
FAS 304
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

Fish Biology

The course examines the morphology and anatomy of fish. Students are introduced to morphometry, identification and taxonomy of fishes. Respiration; fish nutrition, locomotion; reproduction; early development and hatching and migration of fishes are discussed.

Course Code: 
FAS 303
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 300
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Fisheries and Aquatic Science

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