BIOL 2071 - Introduction to Marine Biology

Credits: 1 Fall

The marine environment makes up over 70% of the Earth’s surface and contains an incredible diversity of microbial, algal, and animal life forms. This course will examine the biology of these organisms and the biotic and abiotic factors that influence their distribution and abundance. Topics will include examination of abiotic factors such as chemical and physical oceanography, and their effects on the biotic component of marine habitats. The biological diversity of the oceans will be studies, including microbial, algal and various invertebrate and vertebrate marine species. The importance of human impact on marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, estuaries, pelagic and deep ocean communities will be examined.