EEOS 325 Biological Oceanography
Course Policies and Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Hours:
E-mail:
Mailbox:
Phone:
Juanita Urban-Rich
Science Building 1-59
Monday 10-11
(Almost any time by appointment)
juanita.urban-rich@umb.edu
Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sciences Office (Science 1-059)
617-287-7485
Course Description
Biological oceanography is a field of study that seeks to understand what controls the
distribution and abundance of different types of marine life, and how living organisms
influence and interact with processes in the oceans. Biological oceanographers study all forms
of life in the oceans, from microscopic plants and animals to fish and whales. In addition,
biological oceanographers examine all forms of oceanic processes that involve living
organisms. These include processes from those that occur at the molecular level, such as
photosynthesis, respiration, and cycling of essential nutrients, to those that are large-scale
such as effects of ocean currents on marine productivity.
Prerequisite statement: This course is multidisciplinary and is appropriate for students majoring /
minoring in EEOS, biology or science education. Prerequisites are EEOS 267/ENVSTY 267 or EEOS
226 or permission of the instructor.
Biological Oceanography – EEOS 325
Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students should possess a basic knowledge of biological oceanographic
processes, and how these processes interact with the Earth's physical and chemical environment.
Texts
REQUIRED
- Lalli, C., Parsons, T. (1997), Biological Oceanography An Introduction, Second Edition, Elsevier.
SCIENTIFIC PAPERS will be assigned along with the text book when appropriate. These papers
will be handed out in class.
Accommodations
Section 504 of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 offers guidelines for curriculum
modifications and adaptations for students with documented disabilities. If applicable, students may
obtain adaptation recommendations form the Ross Center for Disability Services, M-1-401,
(617.287.7430). The student must present these recommendations and discuss them with each professor
within a reasonable period preferably by the end of Drop/Add period.
Biological Oceanography – EEOS 325
Student Conduct
Students are required to adhere to the University Policy on Academic Standard and Cheating, to the
University Statement on Plagiarism and the Documentation of Written Work, and to the Code of Student
Conduct as delineated in the catalog of Undergraduate Programs, pp. 44-45, and 48-52. The Code is
available online at: http://cdn.umb.edu/images/life_on_campus/Code_of_Conduct_5-14-14.pdf
Assessment
Assessment of the course will be based on a variety of activities. Within science, an important skill is
the ability to question and write. Students will have two papers/projects and two tests, along with class
discussions.
Active involvement in the course is required and will be assessed through attendance and participation
in class discussion. The format of the course will be lecture along with discussion periods each week.
At the end of the semester, students will give seminars on topics of their choosing. Two unexcused
absences from class will result in a half grade deduction of your class grade. Three unexcused absences
will result in a full grade deduction of your class grade and 4 unexcused absences will result in an F.
Projects 1 & 2, Exams 1 & 2 and Participation are each equal to 20% for your final grade.
Project 1: due early March: Choose one nutrient (C, N, P, Si, Fe) and research it, describe its cycle in the
ocean and its relationship to plankton. Your report needs to be 5-10 pages, double spaced and at least 3
primary scientific references are required. Your report will be graded on:
40% the description and clarity of the full nutrient cycle,
50% a clear description of the link to plankton and why it is important to plankton. You may
include graphs, figures or tables but these will need to be properly cited.
10% The format of your paper (length, spacing and citations).
Project 2: due early May: Choose an environmental issue; e.g. climate change, eutrophication, Iron (Fe)
fertilization, etc, research this topic and create a 10-15 minute power point presentation that will be
given in class. Based on your presentation and questions asked by fellow students, write a 5 page report
that shows that you have researched and incorporated your classmates questions in your topic. A
minimum of 5 primary references is needed in the paper. Both your presentation and paper will be
graded on a clear description of the environmental issue, a concise and clear understanding of its
connection to biological processes in the ocean, ability to answer questions from peers.
Powerpoint slides and presentation: 20%
Paper: 70%
Formatting: 10% (paper length, spacing and citations).
Participation: this will be assessed through attendance, involvement in class discussions and in class
group activities.
Biological Oceanography – EEOS 325
Exam 1 will occur at the end of week 6 and cover material in chapters 1-4
Exam 2 will occur at the end of week 11 and cover material in chapters 4-7
Syllabus (this is a living document and subject to adjustments as needed)
Week 1: Introduction and History of Biological Oceanography & Abiotic Processes : Chapters 1 & 2
Week 2: Abiotic Processes : Chapter 2
Week 3: Nutrients and Phytoplankton: Chapter 3
Week 4: Phytoplankton: Chapter 3
Week 5: Zooplankton: Chapter 4
Week 6: Zooplankton: Chapter 4
Exam 1
Week 7: Bacteria and Viruses
Week 8: Food webs: Chapter 5
Week 9: Food webs: Chapter 5
Week 10: Fisheries: Chapter 6
Week 11: Fisheries & Benthos: Chapter 6 & 7
Exam 2
Week 12: Climate
Week 13: Class Presentations
Biological Oceanography – EEOS 325