Course Title:
 Biological Oceanography
Course Hours:
 3
Instructor Name and Contact Information:
 Dr. Wade H. Jeffrey; wjeffrey@uwf.edu; (850) 474-2472; Bldg 58, Rm. 62E
Prerequisites or Co-requisites:
 None
Course Description:
Biological Oceanography is the study of the biota of the oceans, including systematics, special
morphological adaptations, physiology, natural history and zoogeography of plankton and
nekton and the relationship between the biota and the physicochemical properties of the
marine environment. Credit not granted toward major in biology.
Student learning outcomes:
 Develop an understanding of the basics of primary and heterotrophic production in
the oceans.
 Develop and understanding of and ability to characterize the different trophic groups
in the marine environment.
 Apply course concepts to identify the interactions between organisms and the
physical marine environment.
 Develop an understanding of basic oceanographic principles of currents, winds,
tides, and waves and how these influence the biology of the oceans.
Topics Covered:
Introduction of basic oceanographic principles, Phytoplankton and Primary Production, Marine
Microbiology, Zooplankton, Energy Flow and Mineral Cycling, Nekton and Fisheries
Oceanography, Benthos & Benthic Communities, Human impacts and global climate change
Required Text:
 Biological Oceanography: An Introduction by Carol M. Lalli and Timothy R.Parsons.
Second Edition. 1997. Elsevier.
Grading/Evaluation:
 Mid-term Exam – 33%
 Final Exam – 33%
 Weekly Quizzes at the end of each section – 33%
Grades: Final Grade: 90 – 100% = A; 80 – 89% = B; 70 – 79% = C; 60 – 69% =D;
below 60% = F
Special Technology Utilized by students (beyond baseline requirements of email and
word processing):
 None Required.
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
 Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
 Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
 Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
ASSISTANCE:
Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related
accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center
(http://uwf.edu/sdrc/) . SDRC will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will
specify any recommended accommodations.
TOPICS:
Topic 1:
 Introduction and History of Oceanography
 Read Chapter 1
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 2:
 The Abiotic Environment
 Read Chapter 2
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 3:
 Phytoplankton and Primary Production
 Read Chapter 3
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 4:
 Phytoplankton Part 2
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 5:
 Marine Microbiology
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 6:
 Energy flow and mineral cycling
 Read Chapter 5
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
 Midterm Exam
Topic 7:
 Zooplankton
 Read Chapter 4
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 8:
 Nekton & Fisheries
 Read Chapter 6
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 9:
 Benthos & benthic Communities
 Read Chapter 7 & 8
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 10:
 Human Impacts & Climate Change – where we were using a 1987 text book
 Read Chapter 9
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 11:
 Climate Change overview: an entire semester’s course in one lesson
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz

Final Exam