Marine Biology
An introductory course studying the amazing diversity of creatures
that exist in over 90% of the habitable space of our planet
and the intricate ecosystems these organisms create.
Course Topics
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The Basics of Biology and Ecology
Marine Mammals
Seabirds
Marine Reptiles
Marine Fishes
Marine Invertebrates
Marine Plants
Marine Protists
Course Focus Questions
o What are the different organisms that live in the ocean?
o What marine organisms can you see along the Oregon Coast?
o How do marine organisms survive in their specific environments?
o How do marine organisms compare to their relatives on land?
o How do marine organisms interact to create unique ecosystems?
o What are issues concerning marine life?
Course Assessment
Marine Biology is graded on a point scale – small assignments worth a few points, large assignments,
projects and tests worth more points. Your grade is determined by the percent of points you have earned
compared to the total points possible. Below is a list of items that you will do to earn points, and therefore
your grade, during the semester and the APPROXIMATE percenct each will contribute to your grade.
o Weekly Grade – Consists of the following two items. If you miss these with an excused absence,
they must be made up with replacement assignments by the end of that unit. (25% of final grade)
o Brain Primers (credit earned if working on when class bell rings)
o Classwork (credit earned when class time used to complete as much work as possible)
o Notebook Spot Checks – Occasional checks of notebook organization to make sure you are keeping
up with your work in the designated manner (see notebook requirement sheet). (5% of final grade)
o Mini-Posters – three assignments during the Marine Mammal, Seabird and Fish Units (10% of final
grade)
o Identification Quizzes – Visual Identification with Name Banks of Oregon Marine Mammals,
Seabirds and Intertidal Invertebrates (15 % of final grade)
o Unit Tests – Multiple Choice, Matching and Open Ended Tests on Vocabulary, Taxonomy and Key
Concepts for each Major Unit (25% of final grade)
o Final Exam – Cumulative Test of Material covered throughout the semester. (20% of final grade)
Course Expectations
By the time you are in 12th or 11th grade, you should know what is expected of students in most any
classroom. Some teachers have slight variations of what they expect of their students and what they expect
in their classrooms. The following expectations are based on common sense, common courtesy and mutual
respect for all members of the classroom and our learning environment.
BE CURIOUS – An inquisitive mind will help you get the most out of this course and will help you
contribute to the overall success of this class for all students. Think about what you are learning and ask
questions!
BE RESPECTFUL – Respect for your own learning opportunities as well as for your classmates, class
environment and instructor are necessary expectations for any learning environment.
BE RESPONSIBLE – Being responsible for your behavior, your own learning and your assessment
opportunities will help you and your classmates maximize the value you can get from this course.
BE ATTENTIVE – Music and text distractions impair your ability to learn. Texting is not allowed in class
– leave your phone in your pack or pocket. There will be times when you are allowed to listen to music on
your headphones such as when working on questions from our class text or on imdividual projects.
Headphones should be put away during lectures, discussions, movies – they are distracting to you and
disrespectful to your instructor and classmates.
BE SAFE – This is a science classroom. Safety is critical. Horseplay and unsafe behavior is not
acceptable. You could injure yourself or others and could damage irreplaceable or expensive items.
Specific lab saftety practices will be identified depending on labs we do. You may have a water bottle in
class but no food or other drink.
BE IN CLASS – Be on time and be in class. Cutting class puts you behind and causes you to miss the
additional learning opportunites that come with discussion and questions not found in class notes and
assignments. You also forfeit the ability to earn credit for any assignment you missed for an unexcused
absence. Being late is discourteous to your classmates and instructor – on the rare occasion something
causes you to be late, come in quietly and take your seat.