BI 143 Marine Biology

1. Describe and evaluate the relationship between the ocean’s chemical (salinity and buffer systems), physical (interaction of ocean and atmospheric environments-current tides, waves) and geological features (Tectonic plate theory and shaping of coastlines) of the world’s oceans, as related to distribution and diversity of marine organisms.
2. Apply the scientific method as related to marine biology via data collection and its analysis. Apply the principles behind keeping an accurate record of observations made on field trips.
3. Identify a variety of Oregon’s marine environments and the flora and fauna associated within each community; including exposed and protected rocky coast, beaches, estuaries and neritic zones.
4. Contrast adaptations necessary for life in an aquatic as compared to terrestrial environment.
5. Classify marine organisms based on the three Domain systems.
6. Perform dissections of a variety of marine organisms and evaluate their structural adaptations to life in preferred habitats.
7. Examine food chains and webs in various marine environments, including producers, and primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers in a marine food chain, and diagram a simple pyramid.
8. Deduce the difficulty and expense of developing ocean resource monitoring programs. Relate the urgent need for development of such ocean environment monitoring programs and be able to explain how such programs will help scientists make rational management decisions with regards to resource management and the impact of human activities on marine environments, particularly marine fisheries.

Additional General Education Outcomes:

1. Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions. 

2. Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner. 

3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment. 

• Introduction-Brief History and the Importance of Marine Biology to Humankind 
• Brief Introduction to Geological, Chemical and Physical, Environment of the Ocean 
  • Geological 
  • Chemical (properties of water, salinity, and carbonate buffer system) 
  • Physical- (Temperature, Pressure, waves and tides) 
  • Marine Ecology 
  • Gross and net primary production 
  • Population ecology 
  • Community interactions 
  • Ecosystem ecology 
• Marine Organisms 
  • Biological classification and its terminology  
  • Archaea, Bacteria, Viruses 
  • Marine algae and plants 
  • Selected marine invertebrates 
  • Selected marine vertebrates 
• Selected Marine Communities (to Include Resource Management and Human Impacts on Resources) 
  • Plankton community (Pelagic) 
  • Rocky intertidal 
  • Soft bottom intertidal 
  • Continental shelf 
  • Open ocean 
  • Deep ocean 
  • Ocean floor, including deep sea thermal vents 
• Laboratory Exercises 
  • Properties of sea water 
  • Marine animals:  sponges and molluscs 
  • Marine seaweeds and plants 
  • Sampling methods 
  • Marine animals:  crustaceans and fish 
  • Human impacts on marine systems 
  • Student presentations of research findings 
• Field trips (mandatory) 
  • Rocky intertidal exploration and group research projects 
  • Estuary, open ocean, and animal behavior  
• Optional Community Studies (Time Dependent and Student Interest) 
  • Tropical oceans (coral reef, turtle grass, mangrove communities) 
  • Polar oceans