BI 357 -- Marine Biology

Purple Sea Urchin - photo by Laura Francis [link]

Expanded course description

This course introduces the diversity of marine organisms and ecosystems, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the open ocean, and the deep sea. It also explores the role of the oceans in climate change and biogeochemical cycles, new methods of ocean exploration, and current issues in marine conservation and fisheries. Emphasis in laboratory is placed on invertebrate organisms commonly found on the Oregon Coast, with some creatures from tropical waters included for contrast. Each lecture period is unique, with some formal lectures, some video and a variety of student-led problem-solving exercies and presentations. Students also develop personal projects that are an important part of the course grade. A required field trip forms the basis for an exercise in scientific writing and laboratory observation of live animals forms the basis for a lab notebook. The course grade is based on participation, personal project, exams, field trip reports, and lab notebook.

Group: SCI

Offered 200601.

Syllabus

Although syllabi can change from term to term, a syllabus may provide further information about typical instances of this course.