St. Monica High School
Wengeler
OCEANOGRAPHY/MARINE BIOLOGY
Course Syllabus
Mr. Wengeler
wwengeler@stmonicahs.net
310 394 3701
Office Hours: M – Th., 2:30 – 3:00 pm, and by appointment
Text: 1) Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science, 9th edition; 2) Marine Biology Coloring Book,
2nd edition, Thomas M. Niesen; 3) The New Marine Aquarium, Michael S. Paletta (Recommended); 4)
Life Sciences Student Lab Notebook.
Course Overview: This laboratory science course is arranged as two semester courses, which may be
taken separately or in sequence. The first semester is dedicated to the study of the physical nature of our
world ocean; the second semester treats the organisms associated with the marine environment. The
course is designed as an introduction to the physical, geological, and chemical nature of our earth’s
oceans, marine life systems and the different organisms that make them up. It will cover a broad
spectrum of topics including oceanic currents, topography and chemical composition, wave action, tides
and plate tectonics. During the second semester we will examine life in the ocean and the relationship of
marine organisms to their environment and to one another. We will look at the anatomy and function of
different marine body types as we study life forms that range in size from the microscopic to some of the
largest creatures on the planet. Finally, we will focus on the role that life in the sea plays in the greater
biological world. A major aspect of this course will be the care of saltwater aquaria. Students will learn
to set up and maintain a suitable habitat for marine organisms and will be responsible for their care.
Integral Student Outcomes addressed in this course:
 Embody the Gospel message
 Demonstrate academic preparedness and intellectual curiosity
 Cultivate their personal talents
 Transform the world as responsible citizens and stewards
Objectives: Students will be able to . . .
 Define key terminology relating to marine biology.
 Examine research methods for gathering information about marine systems and organisms.
 Learn to care for marine organisms in a controlled setting.
 Use the scientific method to examine and make observations about the marine world.
 Investigate principles of oceanography and marine biology through laboratory activities.
St. Monica High School
Wengeler
Syllabus:
Chapter:
Topic:
Semester I:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Knowing the Ocean World
Origins
Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics
Continental Margins and Ocean Basins
Sediments
Water and Ocean Structure
Seawater Chemistry
Circulation of the Atmosphere
Circulation of the Ocean
Waves
Tides
Coasts
Semester II:
13
14
15
16
17
18
Life in the Ocean
Plankton, Algae, and Plants
Marine Animals
Marine Communities
Marine Resources
Environmental Concerns