Syllabus for Marine Biology - Biology 477, Fall Term, 2015
Lectures: 11-12:20 Tues/Thurs in Th297. Labs: Thurs 12:30-4:30 p.m., Fri 12-4:50 p.m. Th215
Lecturer:
Joel Elliott
Office: Th223J
Phone: 879-8593
email: jkelliott@pugetsound.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 12:30-1:30 pm, Friday 11:00 - noon, and by appointment
Moodle:
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The materials for this course are available on the Moodle website.
Please refer to this site for the definitive version of the course schedule, syllabus,
reading list, lecture materials, assignments, and data sources for projects.
Required texts:
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Levinton, J.S. 2014. Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, Ecology. 4th ed.
Harbo, R. 2011. Whelks to Whales: Coastal Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest.
Recommended additional texts:
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Pechenik, J. A. 2007. A Short Guide to Writing about Biology.
Course description
The marine environment encompasses 99% of the Earth's biosphere and contains an incredible
diversity of microbial, algal, and animal life forms. This course will examine the biology of these
organisms and the abiotic (e.g., salinity, nutrients, water currents and tides) and biotic factors (e.g.,
competition, predation, symbiosis) that influence their distribution and abundance. Specific topics
will include primary and secondary production, rocky intertidal biodiversity, estuaries, subtidal
communities, coral reefs, pelagic and deep sea communities, impacts of humans on the ocean, and
conservation. Lecture periods will include discussions of primary literature and student
presentations. Laboratory sessions will involve fieldwork, laboratory analyses, report writing, and
multimedia presentation of project results. Prerequisites: Biology 111, 112, and 211.
General objectives of the course
Through lectures, laboratories, and projects you will gain experience toward some of the general
curricular goals of the university: (1) the ability to think logically, analytically, and independently;
(2) the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; (3) the ability to
learn on one's own and as part of a group; and (4) depth of knowledge in a single field.
Specific objectives of the course
1) To develop an appreciation and understanding of the marine environment, especially the waters
of Puget Sound, through readings, lectures, discussions, field studies, and laboratory analyses.
2) Learn the basic principles concerning the physical conditions of the marine environment (e.g.
temperature, salinity, DO, nutrients, water currents and tides), and be able to describe how
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3)
4)
5)
6)
marine organisms have adapted to these physical conditions. Also be able to explain how the
distribution and abundance of marine organisms is influenced by changes in these physical
parameters.
Be able to recognize many of the organisms that occur in particular marine habitats (e.g.,
plankton, nekton, rocky and soft-sediment intertidal and subtidal, docks and pilings), and
describe major aspects of their natural history.
Gain an understanding of the important ecological relationships among different marine
organisms (e.g., predator-prey, competition, symbiosis, indirect effects), and their influence on
distribution and abundance patterns and community structure.
Obtain practical experience in applying different sampling methods in the marine environment
and then using standard techniques for analyzing samples in the laboratory. Then, analyze the
data appropriately and produce a written research report.
Formulate hypotheses, develop a research proposal, and conduct a research study to investigate
a particular problem in marine biology. Work as part of a team to design the research project,
carry it out effectively, and then present the results in both oral and written formats.
Quizzes and Exams
There will be 4 quizzes, one midterm exam, and a final exam (see schedule). Questions on quizzes
and exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, problem sets, and essays. The
quizzes and exams will cover specified sections of the text and assigned reading. You should be
able to utilize your knowledge of local marine species (know common or species names) to provide
examples of concepts discussed in lecture.
Each quiz will cover material from the previous lectures. They will be take-home quizzes, and I
will post the questions along with problem sets on the Moodle website. The take-home quizzes are
due at the start of the Tuesday lecture each week.
All exams will be held in our regular lecture room (T 297). Note the dates of the exams on the
Course Schedule. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. If you have any anticipated
problem with taking an exam on the specified date, see me ASAP. If you do miss an exam for a
legitimate reason (e.g., documented medical problem), I will consider that in the calculation of your
final grade.
Reviews of primary literature
You will write 4 reviews (approximately two pages in length, 1.5 spacing) of papers from the
primary literature on marine biology. Everyone will write a review of the first paper, and then you
can choose to write a review of 3 of the next 5 papers. A set of instructions follows in a separate
handout.
Group Projects
Two group projects conducted in lab will be graded. 1) An examination of water quality and
plankton at different sites in Puget Sound, and 2) An investigation of organismal diversity in the
rocky intertidal.
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Research project
The objective of this project is to have you study living marine organisms in the field or lab and
examine some aspect of their behavior, ecology, biochemistry, etc. that interests you. This project
will involve all of the components of the scientific process: making critical observations,
recognizing patterns, asking questions and formulating hypotheses, testing hypotheses, then
attempting to explain the patterns from a functional or evolutionary perspective. You will then
present your results in a multimedia presentation and produce a written scientific report. A more
detailed description of this project will be provided in a separate handout.
Late work
All assignments must be turned in on Moodle. Do not put any printed assignments under my door.
Late assignments will be penalized 10% of a grade per day.
Class participation
Since this course will be interactive and will require you to work closely with others, part of your
grade will be dependent on your ability and willingness to participate in class discussions and
laboratory investigations, as well as interact positively with other members of the class.
Grading
Lecture
Quizzes – 4 @ 30 pts each
Midterm lecture exam
Final lecture exam
Reviews of papers – 4 @ 10 pts each
Laboratory
Group projects – 2 @ 60 pts each
Research project
Project proposal
Project progress reports
Oral presentation
Written report
Participation
Total
Points
120
100
150
40
120
5
10
40
75
40
700
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Students with Disabilities
I will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities in both lecture and lab. I request
that students with disabilities contact me early in the term (preferably within the first week of class)
to discuss accommodation. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability
that may impact your course work, please contact Peggy Perno, Director of the Office of
Accessibility and Accommodation, 105 Howarth, 253.879.3395. She will determine with you what
accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is
confidential.
Classroom Emergency Response Guidance
Please review university emergency preparedness and response procedures posted at
www.pugetsound.edu/emergency/. There is a link on the university home page. Familiarize yourself
with hall exit doors and the designated gathering area for your class and laboratory buildings.
If building evacuation becomes necessary (e.g. earthquake), meet your instructor at the designated
gathering area so she/he can account for your presence. Then wait for further instructions. Do not
return to the building or classroom until advised by a university emergency response representative.
If confronted by an act of violence, be prepared to make quick decisions to protect your safety. Flee
the area by running away from the source of danger if you can safely do so. If this is not possible,
shelter in place by securing classroom or lab doors and windows, closing blinds, and turning off
room lights. Lie on the floor out of sight and away from windows and doors. Place cell phones or
pagers on vibrate so that you can receive messages quietly. Wait for further instructions.
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Course Schedule for Biology 477: Marine Biology – Fall 2015
Dr. Joel Elliott - Lecture: T, Th 11:00-12:20, Room Th297, Lab: Thurs. 12:30-4:30, Fri. 12:00 – 4:50, Room Th215
Month Day Lecture Topic
Readings and quizzes
Lab Topic
Assignments due
-all quizzes and paper reviews
due at start of class
Sept.
Oct.
1
3
4
Introduction
Physical/chemical prop. of SW
Ch. 1, 3
Ch. 2, 4
8
10
11
13
Plankton biology
Plankton and primary production
Ch. 7
Ch. 9,10
Field trip: North Puget Sound
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15
17
18
Plankton and food webs
Intertidal ecology
Paper 1
Ch. 14; Quiz 1
22
24
25
26
Intertidal ecology
Intertidal ecology
Ch. 14
Paper 2
Field trip: Intertidal diversity
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29
1
2
Subtidal ecology
Subtidal ecology
Ch.15
Quiz 2
6
8
9
Oceanic nekton
Oceanic nekton
Ch.8
Paper 3
13
15
16
Midterm exam
Deep sea biology
Ch. 16
-all assignments due at
start of lab
Field: Water sampling
Field: Water sampling
Plankton biology
Plankton biology
Water sampling data
Plankton data
Review species list
Field: Subtidal survey I
Field: Subtidal survey I
Field: Subtidal survey II
Field: Subtidal survey II
Water sampling/
Plankton report
Review species list
Data analysis
Data analysis
Research Conferences
Research Conferences
Research project
Proposal- 1st draft
Independent Research
Independent Research
Research project
Proposal- revised
Month Day
20
22
23
Nov.
Dec.
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Lecture Topic
Mid-term break
Independent Research
Readings
27
29
30
Deep sea biology
Tropical communities
Paper 4
Ch. 15: 378-403
3
5
6
Tropical communities
Human impacts: fisheries
Paper 5
Ch.18
10
12
13
Human impacts: fisheries
Human impacts: fisheries
Quiz 3
Paper 6
17
19
20
Human impacts: pollution
Biodiversity and conservation
Ch.19
Ch. 17
24
26
Conservation
Thanksgiving
Quiz 4
1
3
4
Research presentations
Research presentations
8
Review
Lab Topic
Assignments due
Independent Research
Independent Research
Independent Research
Independent Research
Intertidal lab report
Independent Research
Independent Research
Research project
progress report 1
Independent Research
Independent Research
Independent Research
Independent Research
Research project
progress report 2
No lab
Independent Research
Independent Research
Research project paper
Due last day of classes
(Dec. 9) by 4 pm
17
Final exam - 12:00 - 2:00 pm
This printed schedule is tentative and is subject to change. Check the version available on Moodle for updates.