BSC 3312C - Marine Biology with Lab

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 4
Contact Hours: 92
Effective Term Spring 2015 (495)

Requisites

Prerequisite BSC 2011 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite BSC 2011L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

The major emphasis of this course focuses on the evolution, biodiversity and classification of organisms in the marine environment, including characteristics and systematics of each taxonomic group. Discussion of major habitats in the marine environment will include physical characteristics of the environment and the unique morphological, physiological, ecological and behavioral adaptations of organisms to those habitats. This course is a combined lecture and lab class.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will classify organisms into the major phyla and classes of marine organisms by:
    1. distinguishing among the major representatives of the prokaryotes, protists, plants and animals in marine ecosystems.
    2. noting and listing key characteristics for distinguishing between members of separate phyla and classes.
  2. The student will demonstrate the ability to recognize marine organisms in the field, collect data, and participate in ongoing research by:
    1. noting and defining characteristics of sample organisms and distinguishing similar organisms from one another.
    2. identifying local marine plants and animals to species level using taxonomic keys.
    3. gathering data to correlate where organisms are found with environmental features, including written descriptions and/or illustrations.
    4. surveying field locations and applying identifications skills in creating a list of species for each environment visited over the course of the semester.
  3. The student will compare the environmental characteristics and species assemblages of different marine ecosystems by:
    1. correlating geological changes in the marine environment to geologic time to presence and abundance of marine organisms.
    2. describing marine ecosystems, such as: open sea, subtidal regions, intertidal, tidal marshes, estuaries, coral reefs and mangrove swamps, including the zonation within each.
    3. collecting environmental data such as water temperature, salinity, turbidity, depth, bottom type, time of day and habitat features.
    4. discussing differences in species composition at different locations in the field and relating them to environmental characteristics of the locations.
    5. analyzing marine environments using physical, chemical and geological characteristics as determining factors for their biotic communities.
    6. correlating limits to food chain length, energy flow through trophic levels, primary productivity and nutrient levels.
    7. analyzing the effects of interspecific interactions on community structure.
  4. The student will explain adaptation and acclimation of marine organisms in response to environmental conditions by: 
    1. examining morphological traits such as body size, body shape and structural specializations.
    2. analyzing physiological responses such as thermoregulation, osmoregulation and deep diving.
    3. investigating behavior such as migration, reproduction, locomotion, dispersal and life history.
  5. The student will demonstrate techniques used by marine biologists by: 
    1. identifying and appropriately using the following equipment: salinometer, refractometer, Secchi disk, pH meter, graded sieves, thermometer, plankton net, seine, quadrat or transect line, and trawl or dredge.
    2. curating algal specimens for permanent collection using herbarium paper and floating method.
    3. preserving benthic samples in ethanol and staining organic material for separation from inorganic material.
    4. preparing plankton samples for microscopic observation and illustration.
    5. preserving other samples, such as fishes and invertebrates, for permanent curation or dissection.
  6. The student will explore the scientific process and critique recent peer-reviewed literature in marine science by:
    1. selecting recent scientific research papers in marine science. 
    2. preparing written and/or oral summaries explaining study objectives, methods and findings.
    3. assessing the significance of the research and relating it to topics reviewed in the course.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 05/16/2014, BOT Approval: 10/21/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495)

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