IF you have thought of becoming a marine biologist, this may be the start of your dream becoming a reality as marine science will be offered to Grade 10 learners, in the greater Durban area, as an additional subject next year.
The subject, held at Thomas More College in Kloof, is a new FET (Grade 10 to matric) subject that was developed by the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town and was approved by the Department of Education in 2019.
In 2021, the subject will be available to all interested Grade 10 learners from schools in the greater Durban area. By arrangement with their school, learners may take the subject as an additional eighth subject. The subject will run after school, twice a week for two hours, throughout the school year. There will be practical sessions that will be arranged for three or four days.
The subject consists of four strands. Oceanography: marine geology, geography, chemistry and physics that explain the chemical composition and properties of sea water, the effects of pollutants on ocean life, ways in which the ocean acts as a driver of weather and climate, diving science, waves, tides and currents; Marine biology: classification, fundamental biology, marine biodiversity, evolutionary processes and organism adaptations to their environments; ecology: ecosystems such as rocky shores, kelp forests and sandy beaches through ecological concepts including nutrient cycles and food chains; humans and the ocean: marine careers, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a model for sustainably managing ocean resources, harvesting of renewable and non-renewable ocean resources, the importance of research in understanding the ocean and the effects of human activities, climate change and ocean acidification.
Sustainability is foregrounded in the teaching of the entire subject.
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A maximum of 40 suitable candidates will be selected for the Thomas More College node, and the following criteria will apply:
Applications are open to learners who will be in Grade 10 in 2021, candidates must take Grade 10 mathematics and physical sciences, have reliable transport to ensure attendance of the programme and marine sciences must not interfere with their other subjects.
Applicants need to submit the following by Friday, 30 October, to Dr Gary Robson, who will be responsible for marine sciences in the greater Durban area: a letter of motivation as to why you are interested in studying marine sciences, a supporting letter from a geography/natural sciences teacher or their grade head, recommending the pupil and approving the application, a certified copy of their Grade 9 June report, a letter from their parent/guardian supporting the application, undertaking to arrange transport and to agree IRO payment of the after-school marine sciences fees.
The cost of the course is available on request.
Parents can contact Dr Robson via email at grobson@thomasmore.co.za.
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