Marine Biology
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract:
This course will touch upon a number of different subfields of biological study within the context of the ocean environment. The course will begin by studying the geologic and meteorologic processes that create the oceans and affect their environment, including the specific environmental challenges facing marine life. Also taking a broad look at oceanic biodiversity before examining the interconnections between species in marine communities, the course will conclude with a quick look at current research in Marine Biology. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: compare and contrast ocean and terrestrial environments, and describe the properties of the marine environment that are associated with specific marine adaptations; list the members of marine food webs and, based on descriptions of specific species, identify their roles within food webs and the effects of changes in their abundance on overall food-web dynamics; describe the difference between various life-history types (e.g. gonochoristic species vs. sex changers vs. simultaneous hermaphrodites; complex vs. simple life history), and identify the physiological and ecological conditions under which certain life-history traits are considered to be advantageous over others; list and identify phyla/species of marine organisms, and describe their taxonomic relationships and the fundamental characteristics of their groups; distinguish between different marine zones in terms of their biotic and abiotic characteristics and the factors that affect their communities; design a marine-protected area based on the organisms or region in need of protection; explain the major types, causes, and effects of marine threats such as pollution, overfishing, global warming and ocean acidification, and invasive species, as well as describe the consequences of these threats for marine communities and organisms; analyze current research in marine biology, evaluating the interpretation and results of these experiments. (Biology 308)
- Subject:
- Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
- Post-secondary
- SubTopics:
- Pollution
- Collection:
- Saylor Foundation