MARINE BIOLOGY w/lab -- MR120
Spring 2006
Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
Brian Lynch
e-mail: brianl@comfsm.fm
Education Computer Lab Tel.:
320-2480 Ext:106
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8-10 or on appointment
Lecture schedule:
Laboratory:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 3:00pm
Room: A-103
Thursday (11:00am to 1:55pm) - Mandatory
Course description:
This course introduces students to the common forms of life inhabiting the
oceans of the globe. A brief description of the principles of marine sciences will first be introduced. The
major groups of marine plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates will be examined, with students learning
about their basic structure, function, and natural history. Human impacts on the marine environment and
current issues in marine biology will also be discussed. Laboratory sessions and field exercises will focus
mostly on the taxonomic groups covered in the lectures.
Prerequisite: ESL 089 (Reading V)
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO):
a) General Learning Outcomes:
To familiarize oneself with the field of marine biology.
To develop an understanding of the evolution of marine life.
To acquire an understanding of the taxonomic groups that exists in marine ecosystems and the forces that
have led to this diversity.
To develop a comprehensive biological vocabulary allowing oneself to comfortably navigate through
science periodicals, websites and other sources of reference.
To learn about the human interaction with and in the marine environment.
b) Specific Learning Outcomes:
1. In familiarizing with the field of marine biology, the student will be able to:
a) comprehend the work accomplished in marine biology
b) understand the history and development of the field of marine biology
c) be knowledgeable about the basic physical components of the marine environment
d) learn the biological vocabulary linked to this particular field of biology
2. To develop an understanding of the fundamental processes common to all living marine organisms, the
students will learn:
a) about the ingredients of life
b) the building blocks and the fuel of life
c) the cells and organelles as the living machinery of life
3. To develop an in-depth examination of the diversity of marine life by:
a) studying the systematic, taxonomy and evolution of marine life
b) studying the structure/morphology, function, niche, and adaptation of the marine organisms
c) describing and classifying by Phylum and by Class the marine life known to exist within the five
Kingdoms recognized by the taxonomists
d) learn thoroughly the biological vocabulary linked to the diverse forms of life studied
4. To understand the human interaction with and in the marine environment, the students will be
informed:
a) in terms of the use of marine life as food
b) in terms of to the threat of human pollution in the marine environment
c) in terms of danger to the biodiversity
d) in terms of conservation issues linked to the ocean
e) in terms of the importance of marine resource management and policy for the protection,
restoration and enhancement of marine ecosystems
Required textbook:
Castro P. & M.E. Huber. 2005. Marine Biology. 5rd ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. New York, NY
(USA)
Recommended Lab Materials: Mask, snorkel, and fins
Reference Materials:
Levinton J.S. 1995. Marine Biology. Function, Biodiversity, Ecology. 1st ed. Oxford University Press.
New York NY (USA) [QH91.L427 1995]
Milne David H. 1995. Marine Life and the Sea. 1st Ed. Brooks/Cole Publ. [QH.91 M45 1995]
Nybakken James W. 1988. Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach. 2nd ed. Harper & Row Publ. New
York, NY (USA)
Pechenik Jan A. 2000. Biology of the Invertebrates. 4th ed. McGraw Hill Higher Education. New York, NY
(USA) [QL 362.P43 2000]
Sumich J.L. 1996. An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life. WCB McGraw-Hill. New York, NY
(USA)
Thorne-Miler B. & J.G. Catena 1991. The Living Ocean: Understanding and Protecting Marine
Biodiversity. Island Press, Washington D.C. (USA) [QH91.T49 1991]
Webber H. H. & H. V. Thurman. 1991. Marine Biology. 2nd ed. HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York,
NY (USA) [QH91.W43 1991]
Methods of instruction:
The course will be taught by lectures, class discussions, and audio-visual material. The laboratory will
compliment the course. Field trips to different marine ecosystems will be organized.
Evaluation: Oral reports, written reports and/or quizzes, tests, mid-term and final exams.
You should expect to have 4 regular tests each worth 100 points. Additionally, you will need to submit two
or more lab reports each worth 20-40 points, and one final project to be presented using Powerpoint. The
final exam will also be worth 100 points.
*NOTE: The laboratory is mandatory. A student that misses more than two sessions of laboratory will
automatically be withdrawn from the course and will receive a “F” as final grade. Several labs will take
place in the ocean and proper safety measures, clothing, and behavior are expected.
Grading scale:
89.5-100%
79.5-89.4%
69.5-79.4%
A
B
C
59.5-69.4%
0-59.4%
D
F
Class Attendance: The COM-FSM attendance policy will be followed which reads:
“Students who are absent for more than six MWF classes, or more than four TTh or summer classes,
will automatically be dropped from the course. The total missed classes include unexcused and
excused absences, such as sickness, funerals, and any other circumstances. Instructors will notify the
Office of Admissions and Records to complete the withdrawal slip for the student.” (p.26, COMFSM General Catalog 2005-2007)
Assignments (Quizzes, homework…): Details of homework assignments, quizzes will be given in class.
It is the responsibility of each student to assure that he or she completes and returns all assignments given
by the professor. Due dates will be indicated for each assigned work. After this due date, the work will not
be accepted any longer and the student will automatically receive a zero (0) for that specific assignment not
turned in.
Academic Honesty: To ensure the integrity of the educational process and the institution, the College
encourages academic honesty, and therefore does not condone cheating, plagiarism, or any related form of
academic dishonesty which prevents an instructor from being able to assess accurately the performance of
a student in any facet of learning.
Students found guilty of academic dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, and facilitating academic dishonesty
will be liable to dismissal or suspension from the College. (p.26,, COM-FSM General Catalog 2005-2007)
Graffiti and betel nut: Any student found scribbling on desks or chewing bethel nut in classes will be
liable to dismissal or suspension from the class.
MARINE BIOLOGY --MR120
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE – Spring 06
Week 1:
Introduction to the Marine Biology
Week 2:
The Marine Environment
Week 3:
The Biology of Marine Organisms
Week 4:
The Biology of Marine Organisms (Continued)
Week 5:
Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae
Week 6:
Phylum Porifera
Week 7:
Phylum Cnidaria
Week 8:
Phylum Cnidaria (Continued)
Week 9:
P.Ctenophora; P. Platyhelminthes; P. Nemertea; P. Aschelminthes
Week 10: P. Annelida; P. Mollusca
Week 11: P. Mollusca; P. Annelida
Week 12: P. Arthropoda; P. Protosta; P. Lophophorate; P. Chaetognatha
Week 13: P. Echinodermata; P. Hemichordata; P. Chordata
Week 14 Marine Fish
Week 15 Marine Reptiles, Birds and Mammals
Week 16 The Ocean Under Stess
Week 17 Final Exam