OCEA 170 Marine Biology (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Course Description
An introduction to the plant and animal life in estuarine and marine ecosystems and environments. Topics include lifestyles, adaptations, habitats, diseases and effects of pollution, interrelationships, and taxonomic identification of marine organisms. Field trip required. Labs included.
Course Content
A. Historical perspective of studying the marine environment
B. Overview of the scientific method
C. Geological processes that mold the geography of the seafloor
D. Physical and chemical properties of seawater
E. Chemistry of life and introduction to the cell
F. Marine prokaryotes, protists, fungi and plants
G. Major phyla of the marine invertebrates
H. Marine vertebrates: fishes, mammals, birds, reptiles
I. Introduction to ecology
J. Pacific Northwest inter-tidal communities: rocky shore and soft bottom communities
K. Coral reef ecology
L. Human impact on the marine environment
Student Outcomes
1. Describe the contributions to marine studies made by some of the following people: ancient Egyptians, early islanders, Cook, Darwin, Forbes, Cousteau, Ballard.
2. Apply the scientific method and its usefulness to the study of marine systems.
3. Identify the principles of plate tectonic action.
4. Characterize and categorize chemical and physical characteristics of seawater samples from a variety of environments.
5. Examine, describe and apply chemical principles in order to understand the workings of the cell.
6. Define simple diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion and active transport.
7. Distinguish the differences between marine bacteria, fungi, protists and plants.
8. Classify marine invertebrates at the phylum level using distinguishing characteristics.
9. Compare and contrast cartilaginous and bony fishes
10. Contrast the distinguishing characteristics between the major marine bird groups.
11. Differentiate the biological adaptations of marine reptiles.
12. Differentiate the biological adaptations of marine mammals.
13. Compare and contrast symbiotic relationships in marine environments.
14. Distinguish between the different trophic levels using examples from different marine communities.
15. Describe physiological and anatomical adaptations of marine organisms to the marine environment.
16. Compare the characteristics that equip an organism to inhabit a variety of shore environments (such as rocky shore, mudflat, etc.).
17. Explain the patterns of vertical zonation and competition for space in the marine environment.
18. Define the coral polyp and coral nutrition.
19. Describe the requirements and limitations for coral growth.
20. Name the three types of coral reefs and identify the forces involved in forming them.
Degree Outcomes
Natural Sciences: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data/information relative to the natural world.
Information Competency: Graduates will be able to seek, find, evaluate and use information and employ information technology to engage in lifelong learning.
Responsibility: Graduates will be able to critically examine the relationship between self, community, and/or environments, and to evaluate and articulate potential impacts and consequences of choices, actions, and contributions for the creation of sustainable systems.
Lecture Contact Hours 40
Lab Contact Hours 20
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 60
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