Lecture 1: Introduction to Marine Biology

Scope of course: What you will (and will) not be learning

Hint: this course is about understanding processes, not memorizing facts

 

Course particulars: refer to the course syllabus for details.

A few specifics.....

Class structure

Lectures

Labs

Group discussions 

Grading

Exams

Lab stuff

Discussion participation

Course resources

Text (exam questions may include material from assigned readings not covered in class)

Web site (http://www.lclark.edu/~clifton/marbio)

Making the most of course materials.

Course Goals and Expectations

What do grades mean?

The difference between original thinking and regurgitation.

Scientific Communication... why do we stress it?

Why honesty in science is the only policy (the Biology Department's statement on scientific honesty)

Finally: some questions about Marine Biology

Why study marine organisms?

Humans exploit marine resources.

Marine organisms provide insights into ecological and evolutionary process.

Marine Biology and "National Security"

Marine Biology is cool.

 

Putting the biology of marine organisms in context:

 

What is marine biology and what do marine biologists do?

"Catalog" questions: Defining and organizing marine biodivesity (systematics and taxonomy).

"How" questions: Functional Marine Biology (physiology).

"Why" questions: Marine Ecology (life-history and evolution)

"Resource" questions (management and conservation)

 

Physiological context:

How do organisms survive in marine environments

 

Ecological/Evolutionary context: food, sex, death

Getting food, reproducing, avoiding being food

 

Management and Conservation context

Exploiting

Managing

Conserving

Course organization (i.e., how we will approach the study of marine biology in these contexts)

Define the physical and chemical parameters that characterize marine environment

 

Examine the specific adaptations associated with these environmental conditions

 

Look at specific groups of organisms: understanding the diversity in marine environments

Plankton

Seaweeds

Marine animals

 

The ecology of various marine habitats (e.g. kelp forests, coral reefs, rocky intertidal, etc)

 

Human interactions with the sea

 

A brief history of Marine Biology

 

Wondering from the shore... how it all began

checking out the beach

shallow water observations

dredges and nets

 

Getting wet... the (other) modern synthesis!

SCUBA

Submersibles

Habitats

ROV's