Marine Invertebrate Biology Lecture and Lab

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the broad diversity of marine invertebrates and covers all major & many minor invertebrate phyla, as well as several important protozoan groups. This course provides an overview of each phylum describing characteristic morphology, physiology, and reproduction, and emphasizes major developments in the evolution of invertebrates. Emphasis is on taxa of significant ecological importance in marine habitats. Labs are designed to acquaint students with the different phyla using preserved and live specimens. Students are expected to recognize the particular characteristics of an organism that allow accurate taxonomic placement.