Course Syllabus for Marine Biology (Biology 221)

Department of Biology, Lewis and Clark College, 5 Credit Hours

Life on planet Earth revolves around the marine realm. Oceans not only dominate the globe physically, they fuel a vast engine of biotic productivity and diversity that ultimately affects every form of life on our planet. This course seeks to define the physical, chemical, and biological processes that promote and maintain life in the sea. Through lectures, group discussions, and laboratory/field exercises, we will explore the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms at work within marine environments. Rather than simply describing marine diversity, this course will emphasize the processes of natural selection that produce specific physiological adaptations, body types, and behavioral strategies. Three weekend field trips to coastal habitats will highlight these processes and patterns. Although structured as an beginning course in marine biology, the curriculum presumes an understanding of basic ecological and evolutionary principles, and students will be introduced to variety of advanced topics during the course of this semester. We will view the biology of marine habitats from a variety of perspectives. Patterns of diversity will be examined taxonomically and geographically. Biological interactions will be judged in relation to many different species, including our own. We will similarly examine a variety of approaches used by marine biologists, so you may better understand what these scientists do and why, as well as appreciate the range of potential careers that loom for marine biologists in the 21st century. Back to top

Performance in this course will be judged using three criteria; examinations, participation in group discussions, and laboratory exercises. Students will not be graded on a "curve" (i.e., there is no set number of A's, B's, C's, etc.). Thus, the grade you receive will reflect individual, rather than relative, performance. Specific evaluations include: Three Exams: Two midterms covering specific parts of the class, each worth 15 % of the final grade, and a cumulative final exam worth 25% of the final grade. By weighting the final more heavily than the midterms, I hope to encourage retention of course materials for beyond the time between last-minute study sessions and the exam! Participation in group discussions: Group discussions will replace a regular lecture on four occasions this semester. At those times, after a brief introduction, the class will break up into smaller groups to discuss a specific topic relating to marine biology. We will then reconvene and pool the results of these discussions. If you contribute to these discussions by actively engaging in the dialog, you will receive full credit for that discussion that day (2% of your final grade). Thus, cumulatively, these discussions are worth 8 % of the final grade. If you attend these discussions, but do not participate verbally, you will receive half credit (1% of final grade). If you miss these sessions, you will receive no credit. Laboratory exercises. Efforts in lab reflect 37% of the final grade. You will be expected to complete three laboratory exercises that relate to our field trips to coastal habitats. Two will involve a write up of your results, the third will be an oral presentation. The write-ups will be worth 11 % of your final grade, the oral presentation will be worth 7%. A short (1-2 page) "reflection" on our field trip to Bonneville Dam and an evaluation of your participation in lab (i.e., level of engagement during lab sessions and field trips) will be worth an additional 3% and 5%, respectively. AN IMPORTANT POINT! To let me know that you've read this syllabus and verify your e-mail connection, introduce yourself electronically <clifton@lclark.edu> with a brief description of your motivation behind taking this class. Do so before 11:30 AM on Sept. 2, 2011 and receive a 1% credit towards your final grade. Back to top

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