BI 143 Marine Biology

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4

Investigates a variety of marine ecosystems, including rocky intertidal, estuaries, kelp forests, coral reefs, the open ocean, deep ocean, hydrothermal vents and other marine environments. Explores the challenges of living in each of these habitats and the adaptations marine life exhibits to survive in these locations. Particular emphasis placed on the biology, ecology, physiology, and morphology of marine plants and animals of the Pacific Northwest. Mandatory field trips to the coast.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Differential Fee Yes
Student Learning Outcomes:

Outcome 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 the distribution and diversity of marine organisms.
Outcome 2: Design, implement, analyze, and report on a scientific study of marine life in accessible habitats (rocky intertidal and/or parts of an estuary).
Outcome 3: Describe 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.
Outcome 4: Differentiate among the abiotic conditions (light, temperature, salinity, density) found in a variety of marine habitats, including coral reefs, kelp forests, open ocean, deep ocean, and deep sea thermal vents and relate these conditions to the adaptations seen in the organisms that live in these habitats
Outcome 5: Contrast adaptations necessary for life in an aquatic as compared to terrestrial environment.
Outcome 6: Discern the evolutionary relationships among marine organisms from sponges to whales
Outcome 7: Perform dissections of a variety of marine organisms and evaluate their structural adaptations to life in preferred habitats.
Outcome 8: Compare and contrast food chains and webs in various marine environments, including producers, and primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers
Outcome 9: Evaluate the impact of marine environmental issues including ocean acidification, sea level rise, ocean heating, deep sea mining, chemical and plastic pollution, and others on marine habitats and organisms and propose solutions to these issues
Outcome 10: 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

Statewide General Education Outcomes

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

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.

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

Content Outline

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
- Estuaries
- Coral reefs
- Continental shelf including kelp forests
- Open ocean
- Deep ocean
- Ocean floor, including deep sea thermal vents
Laboratory Exercises
- History of ocean exploration and the scientific method
- Properties of sea water
- Human impacts on marine systems
- Evolutionary relationships of marine organisms
- Marine animals: sponges and molluscs
- Marine animals: crustaceans and fish and virtual dissection of a whale
- Coral reefs, plankton, and seaweeds
- Student presentations of research findings
Field trip(s) (mandatory)
- Rocky intertidal exploration and group research projects
- Estuary and animal behavior