UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

COURSE OUTLINE

 

Course Number:  BI 103                             COLLEGE:  College of Arts & Sciences

Course Title:  Marine Biology                      DIVISION:  Natural Sciences

                                    Credit Hours:          3         

Date of Final Approvel:                             Semester Offered: Spring

 

Course counts as                  Ö                  General Education Requirement

                                                            Part  of                        major program

                                                            Elective

 

 

1.         CATALOG DESCRIPTION

 

This course is an introduction to the biology of the marine environment, with particular emphasis on marine environments of Micronesia and their importance to man.  Laboratory exercises and field trips bring students into personal contact with local marine organisms and their habitats.  It includes three hours of lecture weekly.  The lab, BI 103L, MUST be taken concurrently.

 

Corequisite:  BI 103L

 

2.                   COURSE CONTENT

 

BI 103 is an introductory level course in marine biology.  It is designed to provide a stimulating, up to date overview of marine biology while integrating the fundamental basic science background required for a general education course.  Marine biology introduces students not only to the basic principles of biology, but to the physical sciences and to the methods and assumptions of modern science as well.  This approach demonstrates the relevance of the physical science to marine biology and thus helps make the study of all science less intimidating to nonscience students.  The course also seeks to satisfy the needs and expectations of a wide range of students.  A course outline is included in the copy of the syllabus that is attached.

 

3.                   RATIONALE FOR THE COURSE

 

The importance of the world’s oceans as sources of food, as reservoirs of minerals, as major suppliers of oxygen and regulators of climates, and as the ultimate dumping ground for the mounting burden of human waste materials is generally at all levels of society.  In recent years, this awareness and concern for the roles of the oceans have been boosted by various international disputes on fishing rights, endangered marine mammals, catastrophic oil spills, and numerous television programs and books about marine life that address the general public.  As a result of this heightened awareness, a rather wide spectrum of students with varying backgrounds has been attracted to marine biology to obtain a basic understanding of the biological processes that operate in the oceans.  In Guam, in particular, with our economic dependence on the sea for tourism, transport, and recreation, students should have the opportunity to obtain basic knowledge of marine biology to enable them to make informed, realistic decisions on the many issues that affect our marine environment.

 

4.                   SKILLS AND BACKGROUND REQUIRED OR EXPECTED

 

This course is designed primarily for nonscience students, although it is also an elective for undergraduate majors in biology.  It presumes that students enrolling in BI 103 have little or no background in the sciences.

 

5.                   TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND ANTICIPATED CLASS SIZE

 

Classroom discussion during each lecture period focuses on reading assignments.  The broader scope that is covered by textbook materials is supplemented by slide presentations, transparencies, and videotape that demonstrate similar principles found among Guam marine ecosystems and organisms.  CD-ROM materials are available to students desiring further experience with interactive multimedia.  Anticipated class size is 24 students.

 

6.                   ADDITIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTORS

 

7.                   LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS

 

a)      to be able to observe and interpret ecological processes in accordance with the scientific method;

b)      to observe and evaluate adaptations of marine organisms that act to structure marine associations and permit their persistence through time;

c)       to evaluate the condition of marine ecosystems of Guam and Micronesia in relation to the global ocean realm.

 

8.                   METHODS OF EVALUATION

 

By short quizzes and unit examinations.

 

9.                   REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR STUDY GUIDES

 

Castro, P., and M.E. Huber.  1997.  Marine Biology, 2nd ed.  Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, IA.

 

10.               SUBSEQUENT COURSES

 

No subsequent courses are presently offered.  However, BI 212, Oceanology is a related course that builds on material presented in BI 103.

 

 

THE CALENDAR OF ASSIGNMENTS, ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICIES ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS.