BIOSM 1620

Marine Environmental Science

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course focuses on issues in environmental science from a marine perspective. Basic scientific research methods, equipment, and group research projects are introduced. Laboratory exercises and fieldwork include work on Appledore Island’s intertidal zone and offshore oceanographic sampling exercises.

Prerequisites two, year-long high school courses in science, and completion of grades 10, 11 or 12.

Distribution Requirements (OPHLS-AG), (BIO-AS)

Exploratory Studies (CU-SBY)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025SU, 2024SU, 2023SU, 2022SU

Learning Outcomes

• Identify by characteristics, adaptations, and scientific names 25-30 intertidal organisms that will be included in field studies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and adaptations of the major phyla associated with the oceans-with in depth concentration on the phyla Mammalia and Aves.
• Gather data in the field with a number of types of scientific equipment and in a number of different coastal/marine settings.
• Perform background research, develop a hypothesis, design an experiment, collect data for 7 days, and demonstrate an understanding of the results. Each student will demonstrate proficiency by giving a presentation of their work to the class and by writing a technical paper that includes the full scientific method.
• Describe local micro-habitats by conducting a comparative study of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the protected, and then exposed, sides of Appledore island. Students will demonstrate this understanding by writing a field report of their comparative study.
• Demonstrate through class exercises a detailed understanding of the human impacts associated with a marine environment. Students will be concentrating on the causes, effects, and both global and personal solutions to these issues.
• Communicate the knowledge they have gained using through public speaking and writing.

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