PHYCOLOGY
| Title | ΦΥΚΟΛΟΓΙΑ / PHYCOLOGY |
| Code | ΒΟ.ΕΝΒ.8.4 |
| Faculty | Sciences |
| School | Biology |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Spring |
| Coordinator | Paraskevi Malea |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 40001569 |
Programme of Study: PPS Tmīma Viologías (2017-sīmera)
Registered students: 14
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORMOS | Elective Courses | 8 | 4 | 6 |
| Academic Year | 2025 – 2026 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 5 |
| Class ID | 600286122
|
Course Type 2021
Specific Foundation
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
- Skills Development
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600286122
- At the Website of the School: https://www.bio.auth.gr/course/fykologia
- eLearning (Moodle): https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=4219
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Instruction, Examination)
Prerequisites
General Prerequisites
Prerequisite courses are not applied in the current (2012) Biology School Undergraduate Program. However, teachers do recommended knowledge and skills acquired in courses such as: Oceanography,Environmental Plant Physiology, Marine Biology, General Ecology.
Learning Outcomes
This course aims in understanding key issues in morphology, classification, ecology and ecophysiology of algae and marine seagrasses, phylogeny and genomics algae, harmful algal blooms, assessing the ecological quality of coastal waters using macrophytes as biomarkers, applied phycology and commercial uses algae. Student learn to apply the basic knowledge to be able to interpret and assess changes in different scales; they become familiar with algal sampling, microscopic analysis and identification, and the use of keys based on algae groups features. Student build skills in specific literature search and databases use. Students elaborate individual and collaborative essays. Finally, students develop critical thinking in the protection and management of aquatic ecosystems.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Work autonomously
- Work in teams
- Generate new research ideas
- Respect natural environment
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
The subject of the course ‘Phycology’ is the biology of all marine photosynthetic organisms (seaweeds, seagrasses, microalgae and cyanobacteria). Introduction to biodiversity. Role of marine primary producers. Morphological and structural characteristics, chemical composition, taxonomy, reproduction, life cycles, phylogeny. Role in biogeochemistry/biological carbon pump. Harmful algal blooms. Ecology and ecophysiology of marine photosynthetic organisms. Habitats – benthos and plankton, factors affecting their growth and adaptations. Hard and soft substrate communities of marine macrophytes (seaweeds and seagrasses), transitional water communities. Seagrass meadows. Ecosystem services, blue carbon storage. Primary production. Biotic indicators for assessing the quality of coastal systems. Bioindicators of pollution, use of biomarkers. Loss of meadows. Conservation, management and restoration. Applied biology issues. Modern biotechnological applications, cultivation of marine photosynthetic organisms.
Methods of collection and research of marine photosynthetic organisms (marine macroalgae, marine angiosperms, microalgae and cyanobacteria).
Microscopic analysis and classification. Dominant species of the Mediterranean. Preparation of tasks in groups.
Field work - Hard and soft substrate communities of marine macrophytes - diversity and abundance of marine photosynthetic organisms.
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Multimedia
- Interactive excersises
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
- Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Description
Power point oral presentations, use of electronic databases, students e-collaboration via electronic teaching platform (Blackboard)
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 | 1.2 | ✓ | ||
| Laboratory Work | 27 | 1.1 | ✓ | ||
| Fieldwork | 8 | 0.3 | ✓ | ||
| Reading Assigment | 40 | 1.6 | ✓ | ||
| Tutorial | 12 | 0.5 | ✓ | ||
| Written assigments | 30 | 1.2 | ✓ | ||
| Exams | 3 | 0.1 | ✓ | ||
| Total | 150 | 6 |
Student Assessment
Description
1. Written examination on course material (75% of final grade). Exams based on multiple choice test and answering questions of knowledge or critical thinking; self-assessment multiple choice test.
2. Practical laboratory skills, preparation and presentation of short essays, familiarity with literature search, study books and articles, publication of modern Phycology topics in Wikipedia, cooperation in teams, field work areas (25% of final grade).
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Assignment (Summative)
- Oral Exams (Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
ΦΥΚΗ
Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 34271
Έκδοση: 1/2011
Συγγραφείς: GRAHAM
ISBN: 978-960-87655-9-7
Additional bibliography for study
Διδακτικές Σημειώσεις-Διαλέξεις της διδάσκουσας αναρτημένες σε ηλεκτρονική πλατφόρμα διδασκαλίας (e-learning)
Last Update
23-09-2025
