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
Recommended Text:
 Biological Oceanography: An Introduction by Carol M. Lalli and Timothy R. Parsons.
Second Edition. 1997. Elsevier.
 Biological Oceanography by Charles B. Miller & Patricia A. Wheeler. 2nd edition. 2012.
2nd Edition
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.
NOTE: The original lectures for this course were created using software that no
longer exists – therefore I cannot simply edit them. Rather than recreate the
wheel, I am using these older powerpoints (mostly based on Lalli & Parsons [L&P])
but will supplement with additional material from Miller & Wheeler [M&W]. As a
result, the topics outlined below will be modified as we go along, depending on
where I add additional material. If need be, I will drop the climate change material
since there is a whole course on this now (taught next in fall 2013).
TOPICS:
Topic 1:
 Introduction and History of Oceanography
 (L&P Chapter 1)
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 2:
 The Abiotic Environment
 (L&P Chapter 2)
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 3:
 Phytoplankton and Primary Production
 (L&P Chapter 3 & M&W Chapters 2 & 3)
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 4:
 Phytoplankton Part 2
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 5:
 Marine Microbiology
M&W Chapter 5)
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 6:
 Energy flow and mineral cycling
 (L&P Chapter 5 & M&W Chapter 9)
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
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Topic 7:
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Topic 8:
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Topic 9:
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Midterm Exam
Zooplankton
(L&P Chapter 4 & M&W Chapters 7 & 8)
View PowerPoint Presentation
Quiz
Nekton & Fisheries
(L&P Chapter 6)
View PowerPoint Presentation
Quiz
Benthos & benthic Communities
(L&P Chapter 7 & 8 & M& W Chapters 13 & 14)
View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 10:
 Human Impacts & Climate Change – where we were using a 1987 text book
 (L&P Chapter 9)
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
Topic 11:
 Climate Change overview: an entire semester’s course in one lesson
 View PowerPoint Presentation
 Quiz
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Final Exam