THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
LECTURE SYLLABUS
BIO 362 (Marine Biology) – Friday Hall 1014
Fall 2010
Prerequisites: BIO 201 - Cells (or 204) and BIO 202 – Biological Diversity (or 205 and 206)
Instructor: Dr. Ileana E. Clavijo. Office located in Friday Hall, Room 3012, Phone: 962-3472,
E-mail: clavijo@uncw.edu; Office Hours: I prefer that you see me immediately after lectures, but
I also make appointments as needed.
Course Description:
This course is intended for Biology and Marine Biology majors and builds on the foundations laid
in BIO 201 and BIO 202. We will study the marine ecosystem using an ecological approach.
This means we will investigate the relationship of marine organisms to their environment and to
each other. We will discuss the geological, chemical, physical and biological characteristics of
each habitat. Emphasis will be placed on the adaptations of organisms for a given habitat, and the
ecological role played by key species.
Course Goals: By the end of this course, students will be able to
1) Communicate an understanding of the unique traits of the marine ecosystem.
2) Identify key components of marine communities.
3) Compare the characteristics (biotic and abiotic) of various marine habitats.
4) Explain the role of important organisms within a marine community.
DATE(S)
Aug 18
Aug 20, 23
Aug 25, 27
Aug 30, Sep 1
Sep 3
Sep 6
Sep 8, 10
Sep 13, 15
Sep 17
Sep 20, 22
Sep 24
Sep 27, 29
Oct 1
Oct 4
Oct 6, 8
Oct 11
Oct 13, 15
Oct 18
Oct 20
Oct 22, 25
Oct 27
Oct 29, Nov 1
Nov 3, 5, 8
Nov 10
Nov 12, 15
Nov 17
Nov 19, 22
TOPIC
REQUIRED READING
Introduction/Adaptations
Review of Oceanography
Chapter 1
Review of Biological Concepts
Speciation and Biogeography
Microorganisms
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Major Groups of Plankton
Chapter 2
Adaptations of Plankton
EXAM 1 (Lecture Notes, Chapters 1 and 2)
Intertidal Communities
Chapter 6
Rocky, Sandy and Muddy Shorelines
Estuaries
Chapter 8
Salt Marshes and Mangroves
Chapters 8, 9
FALL VACATION
Subtidal Communities
Chapter 5
Polar Seas
Kelp Beds and Seagrasses
EXAM II (Lecture Notes, Chapters 5, 6, 8, 9 in part)
Meiofauna
Chapter 7
Coral Reefs
Chapter 9
Reef fishes
Dangerous Marine Life
TBA
Nekton
Chapter 3
EXAM III (Lecture Notes (DML), Chapters 3, 7, 9 in part)
Deep Sea Communities
Chapter 4
Symbiotic Relationships
Chapter 10
Marine Fisheries
Chapter 11
Nov 24, 26
Nov 29
Dec 1
Dec 6
THANKSGIVING VACATION
Mariculture
Pollution in the Marine Environment
Final Exam (8 to 11 AM), exam is cumulative with approximately 50% of
questions on new material (Chapters 4, 10, 11) and represents 12.5% of
grade.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Nybakken, J.W and M. D. Bertness. 2005. Marine Biology, An Ecological Approach. Sixth
Edition.
Additional readings to be assigned (TBA).
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Class attendance is expected. Past experience indicates that every three unexcused absences are
equivalent to a drop in one letter grade. Please be on time. Habitual tardiness may result in lost
points.
GRADING POLICY
Grade is based on a total of 800 points as follows:
Exam I.....................................100
Grade*
Points
Exam II....................................100
A
=
720-800
Exam III...................................100
B
=
640-719
Class Assignments…………….20
C
=
560-639
Lab Quizzes (@100)................200
D
=
480-559
Lab Assignments.......................80
F
=
<479
Report (Publication).................100
Final Exam………….………. 100
Total _ 800
*The +/- grading will be used when it helps the student.
AIDS FOR STUDYING
Outlines of Power Point lectures and examples of exam questions will be available electronically.
Do not assume that the outlines include all the detail covered in lectures. For example,
photographs and diagrams are not included and should be viewed in the textbook. I will schedule
optional review sessions outside of class hours if you request them. I encourage you to make an
appointment with me if you need additional help, for example, if you have to miss a class. It is
your responsibility to make up a class. There are no make-up exams for either lecture or lab
exams given during the session, but in excusable cases I will allow a make-up as part of the final
exam or final lab quiz.
Students with Disabilities: Please show the instructor a letter from Disability Services and
appropriate accommodations will be made.
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UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For
emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-2222, or Wilmington
Police at 911. For University or community resources visit http://uncw.edu/wrc/crisis.htm.”
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THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE AS STATED IN “THE STUDENT HANDBOOK AND CODE
OF STUDENT LIFE” AND WILL NOT TOLERATE ACADEMIC DISHONESTY.
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