- Hybrid
- $1,620
This course is part of the UBC non-credit Micro-certificate in Analytics for Leaders in Ocean Management.
Introduction to Aquatic Data Sciences: Data Sources and Formatting for Analysis is designed for professionals and researchers who are passionate about oceans, fisheries and sustainable development. This course is a gateway to understanding aquatic databases and equips students with the introductory skills to sample, visualize, and analyze data. Using aquatic databases is critical in driving sustainable practices and fostering equitable blue economic sectors.
Throughout the course, professionals working in the fields of marine biology, ocean management, and conservation will develop an introductory understanding of aquatic databases’ contents and infrastructure. This introduction will improve students’ ability to harness the wealth that information systems offer. By enhancing data sampling skills, professionals can become more proficient data-driven decision-makers.
Deng Palomares is the course developer and instructor. She is a senior scientist and manager of the Sea Around Us Research Unit and a renowned leader who applies data sciences in marine biology and fisheries science. By participating in weekly live lectures with the instructor and other hands-on activities, students are challenged to develop a research question, understand the data sources and data sampling process to generate a dataset corresponding to an analytical method. Advanced students will be tasked to experiment with analytics based on their generated datasets. Moreover, students will learn about the intricacies of FishBase and SeaLifeBase, building skills to leverage their biodiversity information systems and apply their biological and ecological tools.
By the end of this course, students will be able to: •
- Understand the purpose and infrastructure of aquatic databases, including how to access:
- taxonomy and nomenclature from global species databases;
- species traits from biological databases;
- habitat and ecology data in global information systems;
- prepare a research question to respond to problems in the context of aquatic data sciences;
- generate a dataset that responds to the research question; and
- solve possible questions and imagine future applications of the acquired knowledge.
Course details
Course outline
1. Aquatic databases structure and general use
a. Students will be introduced to the general use of Aquatic Databases and the general course requirements. They will understand how a certain research question leads to a particular database, which requires different ways of sampling and analysis.
2. Framing your research question
a. Students will be required to frame a research question that can be responded to by using Aquatic Databases. The question must be a marine biology-related question. Biogeography and Ecology will be given as extra information for advanced students. This module will include a high-level review of taxonomy.
3. Understand different aquatic databases and their specific mandates
a. According to their research questions, students will be tasked to search for information in different databases and understand how they operate.
4. Sampling Design
a. Students will understand how a dataset operates and will build their own datasets. Advanced students will have the optional task of exploring the analysis of their dataset to respond to the referred research question.
How am I assessed?
The evaluation criteria comprise students’ participation and a final project. The instructors will attribute the students' participation based on synchronous and asynchronous activities. You are expected to participate during classes by expressing questions and comments either orally or in writing. At the end of the course, you will complete a final project using the skills you learned in the course. This last assignment comprises building your own dataset based on the research question formulated at the beginning of the course. This course is designed for working professionals, and we do not anticipate significant challenges in completing these activities. Participation counts 25%, whereas the final assignment represents 75% of the final mark. To pass the course, you must obtain an overall grade of 70% or higher.
Expected effort
This nine-week course consists of approximately 4 hours of coursework per week, as a combination of 2 hours online lectures and groups discussions and 2 hours readings and assignments.
Students have the option of requesting individual meetings with the instructors in case of pressing issues and concerns related to the course. The realization of these meetings, however, is under the instructors’ discretion.
Technology requirements
To take this course, and for the best experience, we recommend you have access to:
- an email account
- a computer or laptop using Windows or macOS or a tablet
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection
- a video camera and microphone.
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online and instructor supported with real-time classes. Log in to your class at scheduled times and participate by video conferencing.
Real-time classes are held Wednesdays 5 - 7 pm Pacific Time.