BIOL 119 Biology of Marine Organisms

(Junior and senior biology majors cannot take a second BIOL 110-129 course without permission from the Department.) Earth's oceans occupy over 70 percent of its surface area. This course uses the marine environment as a basis to explore general biological ideas and concepts. Life on earth is believed to have originated in the sea, so the study of marine organisms teaches us much about all life on earth, not just that in the sea. The classification, anatomy, physiology, homeostasis and unique ecological adaptations of many marine plants and animals will be explored. Students will learn about life in estuaries, rocky intertidal areas, sandy beaches, and the open ocean. Lecture and laboratory material may be supplemented with discussion of current issues, slides, videos, literature searches and student presentations.