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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.

Credits

4

Lecture Contact Hours

3

Lab Contact Hours

2

Other Contact Hours

0

Department

  • Science & Technology

Grading Scheme

  • Letter

SUNY Gen Ed Credit

  • Yes

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

  • Fall
  • Spring

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. 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. 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. 3. Analyze human impacts on marine and global ecosystems, evaluate strategies for marine conservation, and report conclusions based on data analysis.
  4. 4. Utilize laboratory experiments to develop scientific literacy through observation, hypothesis generation, data interpretation and analysis, and critical thinking.
View Course Outline

BIO 130: Introduction to the Marine Environment

Department

Science and Technology

Course Description

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.

Credit Hours

4

Contact Hours

Lecture3
Lab2
Other0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring

SUNY General Education Course

  • Natural Science and Scientific Reasoning

First Year Experience Course

No

Capstone Course

No

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. 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. 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. 3. Analyze human impacts on marine and global ecosystems, evaluate strategies for marine conservation, and report conclusions based on data analysis.
  4. 4. Utilize laboratory experiments to develop scientific literacy through observation, hypothesis generation, data interpretation and analysis, and critical thinking.

Topic Outline

1. Introduction to Ocean Exploration

2. Atmospheric Interactions
Plate Tectonics
Ocean Currents, Waves, and Tides
Life-Supporting Characteristics of Water
Physical and Chemical Properties of Seawater
Marine Biodiversity

3. Micro and Macro fauna and flora including:

4. Plankton
Benthos
Pelagic

5. Special Ecosystems
Coastal Ocean
Rocky Intertidal
Estuaries
Coral Reefs and Kelp Forests
Abyssal Barrier Islands

6. Human Impacts on the Ocean

7. Climate Change and the Ocean

8. Marine Conservation Strategies

9. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

10. Solid Waste Management

11.

12. Labs:

13. Properties of Seawater

14. Ocean Currents and Climate

15. Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity

16. Plankton Survey

17. Ocean Acidification and Shell Impact

18. Sustainable Fisheries and Population Modeling

19. Marine Debris and Solid Waste Management

20. Adaptations for marine life