Marine Biology

Catalog description

This course examines the biology of the ocean with a focus on the diversity of marine life and the influence of oceanographic processes on ecosystems. Topics include the structure and function of major ecosystems such as estuaries, coral reefs, the open ocean, and the deep sea; nutrient cycling, primary production, and global climate regulation; adaptations to diverse environments; and threats including climate change, acidification, and pollution. The course also highlights the role of marine ecosystems as human-managed systems, and the role of marine microbes and algae in carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and as source of novel biotechnological resources and phytoremediation. A data analysis component introduces students to bioinformatic approaches for exploring ocean microbial diversity.