Bedford High School
Science Department
Course Syllabus
Course: Science 3213/3214 MARINE BIOLOGY
Marine Biology surveys the plants and animals in the ocean, their habitats and how they relate to the
changing geological, physical, and chemical properties of the sea. Students should have reading skills at
grade level. Skills that will be developed include observation, interpretation and understanding of plant
and animal behavior; critical analysis and synthesis of data; and seeking ways to solve problems relating
to the marine environment.
Periods per cycle: 4
Credit: 5 Prerequisite: Passing grade of 70% or above in Chemistry and Conceptual Physics
I. Learning Objectives (A statement of changes to take place in students):
The goal of this course is to create an ocean literate person that understands these essential principles:
1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features
2. The ocean and lif in the ocean shape the features of the Earth.
3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate
4. The ocean makes the Earth habitable.
5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
7. the ocean is largely unexplored.
By the completion of this course, the successful student will have learned:
a. Explain how biotic and abiotic factors cycle in and ecosystem.
b. Explain the factors contributing to major global circulation patterns.
c. Explain the dynamics of ocean currents and their relationship to marine environments.
d. Describe how the taxonomic system classifies living things into domains and kingdoms.
e. Compare the structure and function various marine organisms..
f. Describe the major ecological zones in the marine environment.
g. Relate human activities to the preservation and destruction of marine habitats.
II. Learning Experiences (A learning experience is the interaction between the learner and the external
conditions in the environment to which he/she can react):
In this course, students will:
a. listen to class presentations, take class notes, and actively participate in class discussions.
b. work cooperatively in small group and lab situations.
c. demonstrate proper lab skills and safety measures.
d. analyze and present graphical and numerical data to draw conclusions.
e. effectively solve problems and think critically.
f. complete all in-class and take-home assessments of learning.
III. Course Outline
1. Physical Oceanography
2. Marine Life and Biotic Communities
3. Structure and Function of Marine Ecosystems
4. Environmental Concerns
IV. Materials
The following list represents the major texts and/or resources used in Biology. Teachers also use additional
supplementary texts, articles, materials and curriculum documents which they have gathered or prepared
themselves and which they believe enrich and extend student learning.
Castro and Huber, Marine Biology, Sixth, McGraw Hill Publishing .