Marine Biology Department
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
MAR 201 Marine Biology (4)
A field-oriented block course that examines the biology of marine environments. Introduction to coastal and ocean biota and their relationships to the marine environment. Emphasis is placed on the natural history, ecology and taxonomic diversity of marine organisms, especially intertidal invertebrates, seabirds, and marine mammals. Fish, marine plants, bottom organisms, and plankton are also discussed, as well as marine habitats and worldwide threats to marine environments. Lab included. Lab fee required. Additional costs are required for the student to travel to and from course locations. Prerequisites: SC 101 or SC 102, SC 115.
MAR 205 Seabirds & Marine Mammals (3)
Designed to familiarize students with the biology and natural history of seabirds and marine mammals. Emphasis is placed on fauna of the eastern North Pacific, but species from all over the world will be discussed. Topics to be considered include ecology, evolution, anatomy, behavior, identification, and historical and contemporary conservation problems. No lab. Prerequisite: MAR 201.
MAR 210 Aquarium Biology (4)
Fundamentals of aquarium science. Topics include aquarium design, engineering, theory and practice, care and culture of marine life, and includes both cold-water and tropical systems. Students assume responsibility for care and maintenance of several aquariums in the Environmental Science Department, and pursue a project on an Aquarium Biology topic of their choice. Includes lab. Lab fee required. Prerequisites: SC 101 or SC 102, SC 115.
MAR 215 Invertebrate Zoology & Care In Captivity (4)
A survey of invertebrate animal diversity and functional biology in the classroom and laboratory. Animal phyla are examined with respect to anatomy, systematics and evolutionary relationships, geographic distribution, ecology, and behavior. The theory and practice of captive marine invertebrate care and management are introduced. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: SC 101, SC 102 or SC 203.
MAR 305 Cephalopod Biology & Ecology (3)
Major concepts in cephalopod biology and ecology, with an emphasis on behavior. Topics include taxonomy, anatomy, evolution, ecology, population dynamics, predator-prey relations, and behavior. Prerequisites: SC 203, MAR 201, SC 210 or MAR 215 or MAR 315.
MAR 310 Scientific Diving (4)
Meet requirements for Scientific Diver under the guidelines of Alaska Pacific University and the Association for Advancement of Underwater Science. Topics may include data gathering techniques, collecting, common biota, behavior, installation of scientific apparatus, site location and relocation, organism identification, ecology, tagging, photography, scientific dive planning, appropriate governmental regulations, AAUS scientific diving regulations, research vessel diving, aquarium diving, and animal handling. Lab included. Lab fee required. Additional costs for travel and dive gear are required of the student. First aid certification and open-water dive certification required before a student's first dive. Prerequisites: MAR 201 + MAR 215 or MAR 315 or (OS 205 and SC 203).
MAR 315 Invertebrate Zoology with Lab Techniques (4)
A survey of invertebrate animal diversity and functional biology in the classroom and laboratory. Animal phyla are examined with respect to anatomy, systematics and evolutionary relationships, geographic distribution, ecology, and behavior. The theory and practice of captive marine invertebrate care and management are introduced, as well as laboratory research techniques for examining their ecology and behavior. Lab fee required. Prerequisites: SC 101, SC 102, or SC 203, and MT 231.
MAR 410 Coral Reef Ecology (4)
A field-oriented block course that examines the ecology of coral reefs and associated organisms, including reef building organisms, organisms that live on or in the reef, and coral reef ecosystems. Topics include coral taxonomy, reproduction, morphology and ecology, reef structure and zonation, coral identification, symbionts on coral reefs, and coral reef ecosystems. Students will spend substantial time in or on the water. Includes lab. Lab fee required. Additional costs of travel to and within the topics, and dive expenses are required of the student. SCUBA certification required. Prerequisites: SC 301, MAR 310.
MAR 470 Marine Research Techniques (4)
A field oriented block course that provides the student an opportunity to participate in on-going marine research. The course presents field techniques used in marine research, such as the use of pots, plankton and cast nets, behavioral sampling techniques, transect and plot surveys. Emphasis is also placed on the identification of marine fauna and flora. SCUBA diving, submersibles or other underwater technology may be used as opportunity permits. Students are expected to assist in sampling for on-going research as well as design and conduct their own course project. Students may use this opportunity to collect data for a senior project. Additional costs of $750 to $1250 may be required of the student; fees support additional vessel time for at-sea work. Costs for SCUBA gear rental (optional) are not included in this amount and also must be covered by the student wishing to dive. Enrollment limited to 5. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, college-level ecology and statistics.
