Marine Vertebrate Lab
“The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal
meaning: we are all in the same boat.” –Jacques Cousteau
Fall 2016
Oct 24 – Oct 28
M 7am – 2pm
T 9am – 4pm
W-Th 9am – 3pm
F 9am – 12pm
NOTE: This course takes place on the island of Koh Tao in the south of Thailand. Your program
fees include your housing and meals for Monday – Friday, your snorkel supplies, and all
transportation in Koh Tao. It also includes your flight to Koh Tao and back to Chiang Mai. We
will depart from Chiang Mai as a group on Sunday evening, October 23rd. We will return on
Friday evening. (Next week is fall break. If you choose to stay in Koh Tao to travel, vacation,
volunteer, or dive, you will be responsible for your own transportation back to Chiang Mai.)
Curriculum Adviser: Dr. Hannah Tadros (DVM)
Office Hours:
by appt
Grading:
A–F
Credit hours:
1 Lab Hour (23 class hours)
Textbooks:
1. Functional Anatomy of the Vertebrates, 3rd ed. Liem et al, Harcourt,
2001.
2. The Marine Biology Coloring Book, 2nd ed. Niesen, Collins Reference,
2000.
I. Rationale:
This lab will build on the course material presented in Marine Vertebrate Anatomy and Biology
and allows students to learn about and observe marine vertebrates in a real-world setting. Koh
Tao (which means “Turtle Island”) is home to some of the best snorkeling in the world, with
clear waters, coral reefs, and a huge variety of marine vertebrate species. Students will be able to
observe and study marine birds, fish, and occasionally mammals and reptiles. Students will have
the advantage of seeing these animals in their natural contexts and studying carefully their
marine ecosystems. In addition, the chance to work with the staff at a sea turtle rescue and
rehabilitation facility will provide exposure to the first of three immersive educational
experiences in a wildlife sanctuary model the semester will offer.
II. Course Aims and Outcomes:
• Observe and identify marine vertebrates in their natural environments
• Learn about the interaction and interdependence of coral reefs and marine vertebrates
• Learn how tides and currents affect marine vertebrates
• Identify families, classes, and species of marine vertebrates
• Learn how a sea turtle rehabilitation and rescue facility operates
• Learn how wildlife organizations work to assist endangered and at-risk species, with
sea turtles as a case study
III. Format and Procedures:
Attendance
You are expected to attend lab each day. Any unexcused absence will result in a 20%
reduction of your grade.
Supplies
We will provide you with a mask, snorkel, and fins for your use. All meals are provided,
including those that take place on the boat. Drinking water is available. Life jackets will be
available for swimming at your request.
In addition to your clothing and personal items for the week, you will need to bring:
- One or two bathing suits
- A towel
- A refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen and insect repellant
- Water shoes or hiking sandals. (Note: flip-flops are not an adequate replacement. If you
choose, you may wear sneakers that you are willing to get soaked.)
- Textbooks, notebook, and writing utensil(s)
Time and Commitment
Class time listed includes lunch breaks and transport time when we are out on the boat or in the
field. There will be approximately 1 hour of homework to do for each day of class sessions.
Technology
If you bring a phone or other technology, you are entirely responsible for its security. You may
want to bring a dry sack if you are bringing a phone on the boat.
Grading
Your course grade will be determined as follows:
Assignment 1: 10%
Assignment 2: 10%
Assignment 3: 10%
Assignment 4: 10%
Assignment 5: 10%
Class Participation: 50%
Your lab meets 5 times; each session’s participation determines 10% of your overall grade, or
20% of your participation grade. Your instructor will record a score from 1-10 each day based on
your preparedness, willingness and ability to help, eagerness and ability to learn, support of team
members, performance of learned skills, and effort to improve. These scores will be added
together to determine your total percentage points of your class participation grade.
Grading Scale
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 0-59
IV: Academic Dishonesty
Students are encouraged to work together to learn the material. You are expected to prepare your
homework assignments and take your exams on your own. Cheating will not be tolerated. Any
student involved in academic dishonesty on assignments or exams will receive a 0 for that
assignment or exam and may be removed from the course and given a failing grade.
V. Instructor Assumptions
Safety is paramount when working in the ocean. I assume that you will speak up if you are ill or
have physical challenges, if you don’t remember or know the safety rules or procedures, or if
your equipment isn’t working properly.
I except that you will put the safety and security of yourself and others above all else, and that
you will respect all safety guidelines and rules set by me and other staff.
VI. Accommodations for students with disabilities
I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for student
with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made with the Academic
Director before the start of the program, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can
be made. Students are encouraged to register with Academic Director to verify their eligibility
for appropriate accommodations.
This lab requires you to travel on a boat and to swim in the ocean. If you are unable to do either
of these things safely for health reasons, you are expected to advise the Academic Director of
such restriction before the start of the semester so that alternate arrangements or
accommodations can be made.
VII. Course Schedule
Class
Mon, Oct 24
7am – 2pm
Assignments/Assessments
Assignment #1 due (see below for
details)
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Tues, Oct 25
9am – 4pm
Assignment #2 due
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Wed, Oct 26
9am – 3pm
Thurs, Oct 27
9am – 3pm
Fri, Oct 28
9am -12pm
Assignment #3 due
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Assignment #4 due
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Assignment #5 due
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Schedule (subject to change)
7am-9am: Marine Birds
observation and study
9am – 11am: Snorkel:
Mango Bay (Snorkel and
skindiving skills, vertebrate
identification)
11am – 12pm: Lunch and
butterfly sanctuary visit
12pm – 2pm: Snorkel: Shark
Bay (potential for Blacktip
Reef Sharks and Turtles)
9am – 12pm: Snorkel: Koh
Nagyuan (coral reef
ecosystems)
12pm – 1pm: lunch
1pm – 4pm: Snorkel: Aow
Leuk (taxonomy of fishes)
9am – 12pm: Sea Turtle
Center orientation and
volunteering
12pm – 1pm: lunch
1pm – 3pm: Sea Turtles
9am – 12pm: Sea Turtle
Center volunteering
12pm – 1pm: lunch
1pm – 3pm: Sea Turtles
9am – 12pm: Snorkel:
Tanote Bay
Assignment #1
Assignment #1 is due at the start of class the first day of class. It is worth 10% of your grade. This
assignment is not particularly difficult, but it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Do not skim over this
material – read it carefully and ensure that you understand it. If you don’t, please ask any questions
during the first class session before we get in the water.
Components of Assignment #1 (all in packet titled “Assignment #1, which you received on the last day of
Marine Vertebrate Anatomy and Behavior):
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Read the material entitled “Snorkeling and Skin Diving” Read the material entitled “Understanding tides and currents” Read the material entitled “Dangerous Marine Animals of Kho Tao” Complete the four-page worksheet entitled “Safety in the Water: Preparing for your Marine
Vertebrate Lab in Koh Tao”.