Course Description

Marine Biology is an elective biology course taught by Dr. Miller for students who have already completed introductory courses in biology and chemistry.  The course is designed to develop a basic “ocean literacy” through laboratory and fieldwork, field trips, classroom presentations and literature research.

Course Objectives

1. To learn basic ecological principles through study of marine ecosystems
2. To discover the diverse adaptations developed by marine organisms to address the unique challenges of marine environments
3. To develop an understanding of both the complexity and delicate balance of ocean ecosystems
4. To recognize the interdependency of humans and the sea
5. To appreciate the urgency of conservation efforts as ocean biodiversity declines and the resiliency of the ocean is doubted, and in some cases, disproved

Course Syllabus

1. The Ocean World
   
   1. Currents and Tides
   2. Properties of Water
   3. Tools of Exploration
   4. Timeline of Human Understanding/Investigation of the Seas
      
2. Marine Ecology
   
   1. Population Dynamics
   2. Food Chains/Webs
   3. Relationships Between Organisms
   4. Nutrient Recycling
   5. Community Structure
3. Creatures of the Sea
   
   1. Adaptations
   2. Specialization
   3. Unique Features
   4. Correlation of Structure and Function
4. Ocean Environments
   
   1. Frozen Seas
   2. Open Ocean/The Deep
   3. Seasonal Seas/Coral Seas
   4. Tidal Seas/Coasts
   5. Estuaries
5. Human Impact on the Marine Environment
   1. Pollution
   2. Resource Utilization
   3. Conservation Efforts

“Though some are keenly aware that our continued prosperity depends on protecting the ocean, there is widespread complacency and indifference, largely borne of ignorance.  There is no guarantee that people will care if they know what’s happening, but it is certain that they cannot care if they do not know.”
Dr. Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence

“Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air or drink the water.” Dr. Carl Sagan, astronomer, author

“All we do is touched by the ocean, yet we remain on the shore of what we know.”  Richard Wilbur