In Marine and Antarctic Ecosystems you will be introduced to coastal and open ocean ecosystems from the tropics to the poles, covering water-column and benthic communities including reefs and the deep sea. The unit will cover fundamental concepts of marine and Antarctic ecology, including the importance of early life history stages of marine organisms; physical, other environmental and biological drivers of ecosystem dynamics; interactions between organisms; and the role of disturbances in driving the dynamics of populations, communities and the functioning of ecosystems. In the practical component of the unit you will be introduced to a variety of local marine species, communities and habitats, and have opportunity to develop skills in experimental design and data analysis, focusing on local marine ecosystems.