(1.25 units)

Marine biology is the study of life in the ocean. Topics include physical and chemical properties of oceans, productivity and energy flow, and animal and plant diversity. Physical and biological features of major habitats and the ecology of representative animals are discussed. Emphasis is placed on human interactions with the marine environment including human impacts on coral reefs, fisheries, marine mammals, and coastal ecosystems. Laboratory study explores standard marine biology techniques, experimental design, data analysis, and exposure to representative marine animals and plants. Possible field trip to the Atlantic coast. Prerequisite: BIOL 122 .