Marine Biology - MSC 172
Course Outline & Syllabus
Eighth Edition Peter Castro, & Michael E. Huber McGraw Hill, 2008
Seashore Animals of the
Edward E. Ruppert & Richard S. Fox University of South Carolina Press
Seashells of North America: A Guide to Field Identification
R. Tucker Abbott Golden Guides from Martin's Press, 2001
A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes: From Maine to Texas
Valerie A. Kells & Kent Carpenter, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011
Marsh clothing and shoes (closed toe and laces). Students will not be allowed to participate on field trips without proper clothing.
This course utilizes field trips to the beach, salt marsh, and other habitats to study marine animals and plants in their natural communities. Topics include, divisions of the marine environment, distribution of life in the ocean, and the interrelationships of marine organisms in various habitats. Upon completion, students should be able to scientifically identify various marine species and describe the role they fill in their biological communities.
HOURS, CREDITS, PREREQUISITES
Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 3
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Recognize different local marine habitats and communities.
Identify the various organisms that interact in each community.
Collect, preserve, and take field data on each organism encountered on field trips.
You are responsible for your own learning; it is up to you to get something useful and interesting from this course. It is your responsibility to save all graded assignments.
Each hour absent will reduce your attendance grade by 2 points. More than 16 hours will result in failure. Two tardies equal one absence.
Students may withdraw by filling out and having the instructor sign a withdrawal form available in the Registrar's Office.
CONDUCT AND SAFETY
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will not interfere with the learning effort or safety of classmates. The use of cell phones in this class is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply will result in a 10-point penalty on a quiz. Each additional incident will result in the doubling of the previous penalty. No food or drink is permitted in the classroom.
Lecture Exams (Midterm & Final) 20%
Practical Exams (Midterm & Final) 20%
Laboratory Exercises 15%
Laboratory Notebook 15%
Due to the nature of the laboratory exercises, there will be no make-ups. The student may attend another section for a makeup, but the instructor cannot make special accommodations.
One letter grade will be deducted from any lab grade when a student fails to bring their field guides.
Exams may have multiple choice, matching, or essay type questions.
The instructor's schedule is posted on her office door and on her web page. Additional/alternate times by appointment only.