Courses

Advanced Marine Ecology
This is a graduate level course designed to improve a student's understanding of ecological processes by building upon foundations provided in introductory ecology classes. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms that control the distribution of plants and animals at scales ranging from the individual organism to the ecosystem. Assigned readings from the scientific literature cover the entire range of marine habitats and reflect recent thinking on the major concepts and problems in ecological theory.

Coral Reef Ecology
This course is designed to examine the ecology and evolution of coral reef communities, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. Current issues, including degradation of reefs by macroalgae, hurricanes, coral bleaching, diseases of corals and sea urchins, overfishing, and pollution, are examined critically through reading the primary literature. Students participate in lectures and laboratory exercises at Dauphin Island, and they take a one-week field trip to Eleuthera Island, Bahamas.

Marine Conservation Biology
The intent of this course is to introduce students to the concepts now included in the field of marine conservation biology, by building upon the foundations provided in a introductory marine ecology class. Assigned readings and labs are selected to cover the widest possible range of topics in marine conservation.

Field Marine Science - Baltic Sea
This field marine science course will consist of a 14-day field exercise in representative coastal sites in the Baltic Sea (Cland Archipelago) with emphasis on rocky intertidal, kelp bed and eelgrass habitats. Two faculty members accompany the students, participate in discussions of pertinent papers, help plan research projects, and evaluate the product developed by each student.

Field Marine Science - Maine
This Field Marine Science course consists of a 12-day field exercise in coastal Maine with emphasis on rocky intertidal, kelp bed, and eelgrass habitats. Two faculty members (K. Heck and J. Valentine) participate in pre-trip discussions to help plan research projects, accompany students on field exercises, lead discussions of assigned readings, and evaluate the research project developed by each participant. Prior to the trip, faculty and students meet to develop plans for the trip. We also have several lectures, discussion sessions and three scheduled half-day field trips while in Maine. Each student is expected to develop a small research project that is undertaken while on the trip. The project will be presented in outline form for approval prior to departure. After returning, written reports and oral (15 minute) presentations are provided by the students.

Marine Ecology
Marine Ecology is an advanced course open to juniors, seniors and graduate students. We study marine organisms as they interact with each other and their environment, and examine theories, and the experimental basis of our current knowledge. The laboratories consist of field trips to a wide variety of marine habitats, and field experiments conducted by a small group of students.