BIO-130 Introduction to the Marine Environment
This introductory marine science course provides an engaging exploration of the biotic and abiotic aspects of the ocean. Designed for non-science majors, this course emphasizes the connections between humans and the marine environment, fostering an appreciation for the importance of oceans and their stewardship in our everyday lives. Topics include global forces shaping the marine environment, marine life diversity, climate impacts, and conservation efforts. This course carries SUNY General Education Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) credit.
Course Learning Outcomes
- 1. Identify major marine ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them. Describe the basic geological, physical, and chemical properties of seawater marine ecosystems and their impact on marine life organisms.
- 2. Evaluate existing evidence to develop hypotheses for the effects of evolutionary adaptations unique to life in a marine ecosystem and model those effects on marine communities
- 3. Analyze human impacts on marine and global ecosystems, evaluate strategies for marine conservation, and report conclusions based on data analysis.
- 4. Utilize laboratory experiments to develop scientific literacy through observation, hypothesis generation, data interpretation and analysis, and critical thinking.