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MARINE BIOLOGY - BIO 2100 ONLINE

Marine Biology (BIO 2100) is a four credit course suitable for both science and non-science majors, however some background in biology is required. At the end of the semester, you'll receive one grade based on your performance in boththe lecture and laboratory components of the course.

Prerequisite:Biology 1010 or equivalent.

Transfer Status:BIO 2100 has been approved for transfer to the University of Maryland as credit towards a zoology major (substituting for Zoology 210 or Zoology 212). The credits can also be used as a laboratory science in the Distributive Studies Category.

Please read through the following basic information about the course and don't hesitate to contact me if I can provide any additional information of if you just want to "reach out and touch" someone.

Best wishes,

Dr. M. Bres

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BIO 2100

People have always been fascinated by the creatures of the sea. What's your favorite marine organism? Is it a dolphin? A whale? A giant squid? A polar bear or penguin? The incredible kelp forest off the California coast? The ocean is home to an amazing variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms. The ocean gives us life. It helps regulate the weather and global temperatures, provides food and oxygen, and is the last truly unexplored habitat on earth.

This combination lecture/lab course surveys the basic biology, behavior, and life history of marine organisms, and reviews the physical aspects of various marine habitats from the tropics to the poles. During this semester, you'llalso acquire a basic understanding of how the oceans function and why ocean ecosystems are in danger now. You'll learn how these problems originate and explore various approaches that can be used to develop solutions. You'll be able to apply this information directly to your life when you make decisions as a consumer, a citizen, and a voter.

The course consists of reading assignments in the text book and weekly modules in the classroom, weekly assignments, and discussion board postings. All of these are designed to foster interaction with your classmates and give you a broad background in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science.

There are no required on-campus meetings for either course, but you must come to campus to complete the

Bio 2110 final exam. Depending on the time of year, you're likely to have the opportunity to participate in totally cool (but optional) field trips, if your schedule permits.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of Biology 2100, you'll be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of marine ecosystems
  • demonstrate knowledge of the types and adaptations of marine organisms.
  • explain and give examples of the importance of the world's oceans to human survival.
  • explain and give examples of how various human activities affect the global and local environments
  • demonstrate knowledge of recent advances in exploration techniques and technology that are used to increase our knowledge of the marine environment.

YOUR TIME COMMITMENT FOR THIS COURSE

The time requirement for the online sections is the same as for any on-campus lecture/laboratory combination. It will require approximately six hours per week of interaction online, performing experiments, and taking field trips. Also, plan to spend additional time studying independently.

The ease of access of distance education often offers promise of being able to do more in a 24 hour day; however, each student must acknowledge how much else they have "on their plate" which must be combined with the requirements of a college level class. Also, I acknowledge that science isn't the easiest subject for many students. It may require more effort because the subjects and topics of the class are often not something that individuals expressly address everyday.

The distance learning format is wonderful because of its flexibility, but the price you pay for this convenience is that the responsibility for learning the course material falls squarely on your shoulders. Even if you've taken other online courses and have found them easy, expect to work hard in this course!

Don't panic. This doesn't mean you're working alone. I'm here to help you and so are your fellow students.

In on-campus sections, lecture and lab each meet for three hours per week - a total of six hours of time spent in class, plus your responsibilities for reading, studying, and completing homework assignments. In an online section, you don't have to drive to campus for class meetings, but otherwise, the workload for this class is no different than for an on-campus section.

Even though you don't have to come to campus, and thus save on commuting time (and gas money), you'll have to equal the amount of time you would have spent in class to be successful in this course. You may well find that even more time is required when you're working in the more independent format of a online course.

Please take this information to heart, so there won't be any misunderstandings about the work load or course requirements. If you follow the week-by-week schedule I've provided and review on a regular basis, you should be able to pace yourself to complete the course in the allotted time without undue strain.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

It's your responsibility to check the schedule to determine when an assignment is due and to read all assignment instructions early enough to allow you enough time to successfully complete each exercise.

Please don't wait until the day before an assignment is due to read it for the first time. All assignments are posted ahead of time so you should have plenty of time to get in touch with me and get help understanding the concepts needed to complete your submissions.

It's your responsibility to ask questions when you're unclear aboutor don't understand a topic, reading or assignment.I can't tell if you need help unless you ask! You'll be graded on your mastery of the assigned topics. If you're unclear about a topic and don't seek assistance, your work may not be complete and may not earn full credit for the assignment.

DUE DATES

If you find that you'll have a problem meeting the deadline for a scheduled assignment, be sure to contact me immediately. If you have a legitimate reason for missing the scheduled time, I'll try to arrange some form of accommodation for you. I won't even consider a deadline extension unless I hear from you before the due date has expired.

QUIZZES

There will be four online quizzes. Each will contain both objective and essay questions. Some individuals may wish to take more time and others may finish comfortably in less. Quizzes and exams will be based on your knowledge of the assigned textbook readings, postings in the Weekly Assignment modules, and information covered in the assignments and class discussions.

In order to be successful in this course, you must be able to demonstrate your comprehension by explaining course concepts in your own words and apply your knowledge to new situations. It isn't enough to simply memorize facts and definitions. You'll be expected to explain course conceptsin your own wordsand solve new problems similar to those covered in class and on homework assignments.

  • The course material is cumulative in that comprehension of subjects later in the course hinges on your understanding of earlier, foundation concepts.
  • If you need clarification on something you missed on a quiz or assignment, or didn't understand during your studying, please ask me about it.

FINAL EXAM

The final exam will be comprehensive. It will be CLOSED BOOK. The exam will be proctored and administered at the Testing Center located in Bladen Hall, Room 100.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty won'tbe tolerated. Any act of cheating will result in a GRADE OF ZERO for that work.

  • COPYING DIRECTLY OUT OF A BOOK, CLASS HANDOUT, OFF THE INTERNET, FROM OTHER REFERENCES, OR FROM OTHER STUDENTS ISN'T ACCEPTABLE! This includes slightly rearranging the words so that they're a little different than the source.
  • Academic dishonesty includes putting someone's name on a group assignment when that person hasn't fully participated in the group work.
  • No papers turned in by separate students or separate groups should EVER have the exact same essay answers (or even very similar answers).
  • Think the material over, then write the answer in your own words!

EXTRA CREDIT

I can't grant requests for extra credit assignments that aren't available to the entire class, so please don't ask. I'm required by the College to treat all students equally and make sure that all students have the same opportunities. This policy is undertaken to ensure fairness to all students.