Marine Biology Biology 51 Course Syllabus, Spring, 2000

Instructor: Ray Heithaus Higley 202 427-5393 (phone) Heithaus (e-mail)
Office Hours: MWF 8:30-9:30, T 2:00-4:00, or by appointment.
Texts: Marine Biology. An Ecological Approach. Fourth Edition. James W. Nybakken
The Oceans. Scientific American Presents. D. A. Schneider & G. Zorpette (eds.)
Additional papers from original literature (to be announced in class)

Online resources available through the ERES program

Week of:	Topic	Reading Assignment
Jan 17	Introduction: The critical nature of ocean ecosystems The contribution of oceans to environmental issues on a global scale Physical oceanography - scale and dimensionality	MB ch 1, SA 8-15
Jan 24	Oceans and global shifts in climate, sea level	SA 16-22, 28-43
Jan 31	The Biology of Open Oceans, I Influences on ecological productivity Shifting lifestyles of open ocean plankton	MB ch 2
	Feb 4: Paper summary due
Feb 7	The Biology of Open Oceans II Oceanic vertebrates; the ecology of large consumers	MB ch 3, SA 58-63
	Feb 11: First hour test
Feb 14	Population dynamics of harvesting	SA 64-71, TBA
	Feb 21: Population dynamics report due
Feb 21	Deep sea biology Life below the photic zone Living in sediments - benthic biology	MB ch 4
Feb 28	The ecology of coastal, benthic habitats I	MB ch 5, SA 48-53
Mar 21	The ecology of coastal, benthic habitats II	SA 64-69
Mar 28	Intertidal ecology: habitats and biodiversity	MB ch 6
	April 4: Second hour test
Apr 4	Intertidal ecology: testing ecological principles .	M B ch 6, cont
Apr 11	Critical boundaries: estuaries and marshes	MB ch 8
Apr 18	Tropical, marine ecosystems: reefs & mangroves	MB ch 9, SA 54-57
	April 27: Final paper due
Apr 25	Mutualism among marine organisms: a different evolutionary perspective	MB ch 10
May 2	Managing biological systems in ocean habitats	MB ch 11, SA 100-105
	May 9, 6:30 PM: Final Examination

Marine Biology Overview and Student Responsibilities

Ocean ecosystems are critical to people in many ways - even to those of us with 400 mile commutes to the nearest coastline. Oceans influence climate and weather, provide mineral and food resources, and oceans are sources of biological diversity (with all the associated benefits) and aesthetic pleasure. In this course, you should learn the major characteristics of ocean ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. We will examine patterns and attempt to understand them in the context of biological principles. We will explore the techniques used to better understand oceanic systems, which challenge us in terms of large scale and difficult accessibility.

Grading will be based on the following:

40% Two hour tests
20% Final exam
20% Two reports, one on a recent article from the literature of Marine Biology, and the second on population dynamics and marine fisheries.
15% A research paper, 10 to 15 pages long, on a subject of your choice. The research paper must use as key references at least two papers published in the last 18 months. You will need to have the topic approved by the instructor.
10% Attendance and participation in class discussions. Brief assignments will be given occasionally to promote discussion (e.g., find and write a brief comment on a news article); completing these exercises is part of "participation." Full credit is not possible if you miss more than three classes.

Because about one-third of your grade is based on writing, please be sure to review the regulations regarding plagiarism. In particular, paraphrasing must be avoided and proper citation of sources is expected.

Please consult with me early in the semester if you have officially identified disabilities. All students are encouraged to ask for help outside of class, if you wish to pursue a topic or if you are having problems with any course material. My office hours are given at the beginning of the syllabus; if you have classes that conflict with those times please arrange to meet another time. "Drop-in's" are encouraged - look for me in my lab (Higley 203) if I am not at my desk in 202. Times that regularly are committed to other activities for me are Period B, 12-1:30, Thursday afternoon, and M-W after 4:00.

Biology 51 will expose you to a comprehensive overview of marine biology, with emphasis on basic principles. Further study in marine biology, however, should include more "hands-on" experience. To learn more about marine organisms and habitats, you are encouraged to explore summer or semester programs "off campus." Periods of intensive study are especially valuable. Kenyon has several affiliations that promote such study along a coast. The Marine Science Education Consortium includes Kenyon; courses are taught through Duke University at their Beaufort Marine Laboratory. We also participate in the Boston University Marine Program, which provides courses at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. Kenyon is an affiliate institution with the School for Field Studies, with marine oriented programs in Magdalena Bay (Mexico), Vancouver Island (Canada) and South Caicos Island (British West Indies). Finally, a former Kenyon professor works at the Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes, Washington; she encourages Kenyon students to attend sessions along the Pacific Ocean there. Numerous other programs are available, as well.