BIOSM 2300

Climate Change and the Gulf of Maine

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2018-2019.

Students will examine how global climatic changes are altering the marine environment, including the littoral zone around Shoals, the Gulf of Maine, and the world's oceans more broadly. In addition to identifying physical evidence of climate change on and around the island, students will envision future shorelines using a variety of publicly available spatial data sets and smartphone applications. Local and regional marine and climate scientists will lead guest lectures and fieldwork. Topics covered in this one-week field course include: Examining evidence that the Earth's climate is changing; the greenhouse effect and natural forces on global climate; sea-level rise; alterations to ocean chemistry and temperature; marine ecological impacts; human coastal impacts; and possible policy solutions.

When Offered Summer.

Permission Note Please contact Shoals Marine Lab to assist with enrollment (www.shoalsmarinelaboratory.org).
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: at least one college-level course in introductory biology, environmental or marine science, or environmental policy (or similar).   

• Students will be able to: Explain how humans are causing the Earth's climate and oceans to change
• Employ the scientific process and climate modeling skills
• Describe how coastlines have changed in the past and will change in the future
• Identify major changes to the ocean's physical and chemical properties
• Analyze possible policy responses to the Gulf of Maine's changing coastlines and marine environment

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