COURSE DESCRIPTION
The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface and contains nearly 99% of the planet’s available living space. Within this realm, many unique and diverse species collectively help to create a complex world of interacting communities. Perhaps the most diverse and beautiful of these marine communities are found in tropical environments. This course will examine the biology and ecology of tropical marine communities and illustrate research techniques and equipment that marine biologists commonly use. In addition to classroom time, students will dive daily to explore the environments they are studying in class.
“We were very impressed with work that Tyler accomplished while at the Gerace Research Center.” — Diana and Bill O’Neal, Chapel Hill, NC
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- By the end of the course, students will demonstrate:
- A greater interest in the oceans and marine life,
- An appreciation of the importance of life in the oceans to the history of life on the planet,
- The ability to identify and describe the diversity of life found in the oceans,
- An understanding of the how individuals, populations and communities interact with each other and their physical environment.
- • an appreciation of the fragility of marine communities and an understanding of the major threats to the health of these communities
- • an understanding of how marine biologists conduct research in the field and in labs in order to better understand ecological and evolutionary relationships
- • experience conducting group research in marine ecology
- • experience collecting, analyzing and interpreting data so that it may be presented in a scientifically acceptable format.
LECTURE TOPICS
- Introduction to the Research station and San Salvador.
- Ocean Properties I.
- Ocean Properties II.
- Marine Life Origins.
- Primary Production.
- Coral Biology.
- Coral Reefs.
- Invertebrate Biology.
- Research Techniques.
- Fish Biology.
- Fish diversity.
- Reptiles and Birds.
- Marine Mammals.
- Threats & Conservation.
FIELD STUDIES & EXERCISES
- Research projects.
- Visit Bird & Iguana Colonies.
- Beach cleans.
- Scuba dive training.
- Fish dissections.
- Research dives.
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