BIO 3930 - MARINE AND ISLAND ECOLOGY

credits: 6.0
A comprehensive study of tropical marine and terrestrial organisms, the environments in which they live, and the interactions between the organisms and their environments. The students will explore the various terrestrial and marine habitats of San Salvador Island, and keep a field journal in which will be recorded observations of the organisms and their habitats. Additionally, students will participate in a field research project and present the results of their research to the group. Objectives: A) To introduce the major components of near shore tropical coastal ecosystems and to examine the interactions between the flora and fauna that comprise these systems; B) To survey the major groups of near shore tropical flora and fauna; C) To examine near shore physical, chemical and geological processes; D) To introduce standard ecological methods in field data collection and analysis; E) To increase students understanding of the importance of long term environmental monitoring programs as a means to examine large-scale ecosystem changes. Method of Instruction: Lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises and field projects, field trips, student projects and reports, slide shows, videos and movies. Method of Evaluation: Quizzes and exams, group and individual projects and reports, field journal, identification of organisms, and participation. TRAVEL COURSE, FEES ASSOCIATED.

Prerequisite(s): THIS COURSE IS FOR BIO MAJORS. Non-science majors should register for NSC 1902 - Marine and Island Ecology. SINGATURE IS REQUIRED and BIO 1022 - GENERAL BIOLOGY II.