HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIO-228Bergen Community College
Division of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Department of Biology and Horticulture
Introduction to Marine Biology (BIO-228)
General Course Syllabus
Spring 2016
Course Title: Introduction to Marine Biology (BIO-228)
Course Description: This course deals with a basic introduction to marine
environments, emphasizing ecological principles governing
marine life throughout the world. Topics covered include basic
oceanography, marine ecological systems, planktonic
communities, deep-sea biology, stubtidal and intertidal ecology,
estuarine and coral reef communities, human impact,
mariculture and pollution. Laboratory sessions will include in-
house lab exercises and field experiences.
Prerequisites: BIO-101 General Biology I and BIO-203 General Biology II
General Education
Course:
No
Course Credits: 4 credits
Hours per week: 6.0: 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab
Course Coordinator: Robert Dill
Required Lecture
Textbook:
Introduction To Marine Biology, Karlesknint, Turner and Small,
Current edition.
Laboratory Manual: Exploring Marine Biology, Laboratory and Field Exercises,
Haefner, P.A., Oxford University Press, Lexington, MA, current
edtion.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: To acquire an understanding of the general principles
of marine biology and the role of marine organisms in
global ecosystems. To become proficient in biological
methods and techniques which measure various
parameters of the marine environment.
Student Learning Objectives
“The student will be able to”:
1. Students will examine the major principles of marine biology and the
relationship of marine organisms to all ecosystem s. Assessment will be based
upon performance on exam questions. Assessment can also be based on
research papers.
2. Students will model proper scientific procedure to identify various types of
marine organisms. Students will discover the physical, chemical, and biological
methods which measure various parameters of the marine environment.
Assessment will be based on performance on laboratory practical exams.
3. Students will be able to explain the scientific basis for techniques used in
lab, and the field. Students will be required to demonstrate their retention and
acquisition of this knowledge by answering exam questions.
4. Students will demonstrate proper scientific laboratory record keeping.
Students will be evaluated by grading of lab notebooks.
5. Students will model to practice critical thinking skills, and apply them to
lecture material and the analysis of laboratory data. Students will be evaluated by
analysis of experimental results in laboratory reports.
Student Assessment Tools:
The above student learning objectives will be generally assessed or evaluated by instructors using a
variety of assessment instruments including lecture exams, laboratory exams, quizzes, laboratory
reports, written reports, presentations, projects, etc. The decisions concerning the type or types and
number of instruments that are used in a specific section of the course will be left to the instructor of that
section. This information, when given by the instructor should be recorded by the student in the Student
Assessment Section of this document.
COURSE CONTENT:
UNIT TOPIC READINGS
1 Introduction To The Marine Environment Chapter 1, 2
a. Science and Marine Biology
b. Fundamentals of Ecology
2 Basic Oceanography Chapter 3, 4
a. Geology of the Oceans
b. Water, Waves and Tides
3 Classification of Marine Organisms Chapter 5
4 Marine Microorganisms Chapter 6
5 Multicellular Producers Chapter 7
6 Marine Invertebrates Chapter 8, 9
7 Marine Vertebrates Chapter 10, 11, 12
a. Fish
b. Reptiles and Birds
c. Marine Mammals
8 Estuaries and Salt Marshes Chapter 14
a. Physical Characteristics
b. Adaptations of Estuarine Organisms
c. Ecology of Salt Marshes
9 Intertidal Ecology Chapter 13
a. Environmental Conditions
b. Rocky and Sandy Shores
10 Tropical Communities Chapter 15
a. Coral Reefs
b. Mangrove Forests
11 Coastal Seas and Continental Shelves Chapter 16
12 The Open Sea Chapter 17
13 Life in the Ocean’s Depths Chapter 18
14 Human Impact on the Sea Chapter 19, 20
a. Fisheries
b. Mariculture
c. Pollution
d. Drugs from the Sea
LABORATORY SCHEDULE:
Laboratory 1 Temperature, Salinity, Density and Dissolved Oxygen
Laboratory 2 Marine Invertebrate Classification and Identification
Laboratory 3 Benthic Invertebrates
Laboratory 4 Benthic Invertebrates
Laboratory 5 Benthic Meiofauna
Laboratory 6 Aquatic Plants
Laboratory 7 Epibiota of Algae
Laboratory 8 Photosynthetic Pigments of Algae
Laboratory 9 Plankton
Laboratory 10 Fish Morphology and Diversity
Laboratory 11 Internal Anatomy of a Bony Fish
Laboratory 12 Marine Mammals
Laboratory 13 Fouling Communities
Laboratory 14 Sampling and Estuary
Laboratory 15 Sampling the Seashore
Student Assessment: Lecture Examinations %
Laboratory Component %
Student Project/Report %
Class Participation %
Other %
Total 100%
If you have a medical condition or develop a medical condition during this semester,
which prevents you from fulfilling the requirements of this course, you must notify your
physician. You and your physician must decide whether or not it is appropriate for you
to remain in this course. If the decision is to remain in this course, please obtain a letter
from your physician indicating that your continued participation in this course is
appropriate and present it to the Department Chair.
Faculty Addenda: As per individual faculty member
Lecture Attendance: As per instructor;
Lab Attendance: As per instructor;
Policy Concerning Late Assignments: As per instructor;
Policy Concerning Make-Up Testing: As per instructor;
Safety Information: As per instructor and assigned exercise;
College Policies:
Student Responsibility
Students will be held responsible for reading all pertinent information in college publications
regarding withdrawals, course drops, college deadlines, and tuition refunds. Students are
responsible for compliance with the rules and regulations as stated in college publications.
Absence of Instructor
Students are expected to wait twenty minutes for a faculty member to come to class. If at the
end of twenty minutes, the faculty member does not come, the students should sign an
attendance sheet, which indicates the course, date, and time. A student should deliver the
attendance sheet to the divisional office (A304) if between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or to the
Evening Office (C107) if before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. Students cannot be penalized by
faculty for not waiting longer than twenty minutes.
Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism
Bergen Community College is committed to academic integrity – the honest, fair and
continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. Students are responsible for
their own work. Faculty and academic support services staff will take appropriate measures to
discourage academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty and may be a
violation of U.S. Copyright laws. Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking someone else’s
words, opinions, or ideas and claiming them as one’s own.
Consequences of Violations Academic Integrity
A. Instructor’s Sanctions for a Violation
The faculty member will determine the course of action to be followed. This may include:
• Assigning a failing grade on the assignment;
• Assigning a lower final course grade;
• Failing the student in the course
• Other penalties appropriate to the violation;
In all cases, the instructor shall notify the Vice President of Student Services of the
violation and the penalty imposed. The student has the right to appeal the decision of the
instructor to the appropriate department head.
B. Institutional Sanctions for Violations
When a violation of academic integrity has been reported regarding a student, the Vice
President of Student Services may impose disciplinary penalties beyond those imposed by
the course instructor, which may include suspension or dismissal from the College. The
student shall have the right to a hearing before the Vice President of Student Services or a
designated judicial affairs committee. Judicial procedures governing violations of academic
integrity are contained in the student handbook.
Class Attendance
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in
which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be
determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in
writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for
administrative and counseling purposes.
Eating and Drinking
Eating or drinking in classrooms, lecture rooms, laboratories, gymnasium, swimming pool, or
passageways is forbidden. Covered beverages only are permitted in the library. Eating and
drinking are permitted in cafeteria and vending areas only.
Learning Assistance
Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center
The Tutoring Center, English Language Resource Center, Math Walk-In Center and Writing
Center are collectively known as the Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center.
The Cerullo Learning Assistance Center is located in the Pitkin Education Building, in Room L-
125. The telephone number is (201) 447-7489. The Learning Assistance Center, staffed with
peer and professional tutors, offers free individual and group tutoring, supplemental
instruction, and online tutoring for subjects offered at the College. The Center provides
alternative approaches to problem solving and organizational skills. Tutors help clarify
classroom lectures and textbooks and help students prepare for exams. These services build
student self-confidence and reduce fear of failure. The Center is equipped with the latest
technology and software, including tapes, books, review sheets, exercises and software.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Bergen Community College aims to create inclusive learning environments where all
students have maximum opportunities for success. Any student who feels he or she
may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the
Office of Specialized Services at 201-612-5269 or via email at ossinfo@bergen.edu
for assistance.
Sidney Silverman Library
Main Building, Pitkin Education Center, L-wing, 2nd Floor.
Paramus Library Hours: 201 447 7131 or visit
http://www.bergen.edu/library/calendar/gcal.htm
Paramus Service Desk: (201) 447-7970
Meadowlands Location: 1280 Wall Street, Lyndhurst 2nd Floor
Meadowlands Library Hours: http://www.bergen.edu/library/calendar/gcal.htm
Meadowlands Service Desk: (201) 301-9692
www.bergen.edu/library
Testing Services
The Bergen Community College Office of Testing Services (OTS) is located in Room S-127.
OTS serves the college community by identifying, developing, procuring, administering,
processing, and/or evaluating examinations, which meet a variety of administrative and
instructional needs. To contact the OTS, please call (201) 447-7202. The Office of Testing
Services administers makeup tests as a service for students who, for compelling and
exceptional reasons, have missed a scheduled classroom examination. Students must receive
prior permission from and make arrangements with their course instructors to take these
examinations, under specific conditions, in the Office of Testing Services, Room S-127.
WebAdvisor
WebAdvisor is a web interface that allows students to access information contained in
Datatel’s Colleague, the administrative database used by Bergen Community College.
Students may use WebAdvisor to register for classes, to pay tuition and fees, to view their
class schedules, to check grades, to check on progress toward degree requirements, etc.
WebAdvisor accounts are available for all students enrolled in credit programs. New students
are strongly encouraged to attend an in-person registration or advisement session before
using a WebAdvisor account. Eligible students without WebAdvisor user names and
passwords may access their WebAdvisor account by going to go.bergen.edu and selecting
“I’m new to WebAdvisor.” Then, follow the on-screen directions. Check the WebAdvisor FAQ
for answers to common questions, such as how to reset your password. Students must have a
valid e-mail address on file with the College to use WebAdvisor