BIOL 3220 - Marine Biology

4 hours

Prerequisites: BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1108 Organisms that live in marine environments face abiotic and biotic challenges that fundamentally differ from their terrestrial counterparts. This course, intended for biology majors, focuses on how organisms within pelagic, coral reef, estuarine, deep sea, and polar environments adapt to the physical, chemical, geological and ecological characteristics of their habitat. Instead of focusing on pure taxonomy, this course emphasizes ecological relationships and adaptations to life in the ocean. The course concludes by discussing anthropogenic effects on marine systems and challenges associated with the conservation of marine habitats. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab are required per week. The lab component of this course will consist of three multi-week problem-based activities. One project will also require a weekend field trip to coastal Georgia to conduct authentic research on Sapelo Island, which may concur an additional cost to students.