6
Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha & Number BIOL 200
Course Title Coral Reefs
Credits 4
Date of Outline 10 September 2001
Course Description Introduces the biology, ecology, and geology of stony corals and the reef structures they build. Identifies the roles of other members of the coral reef community including algae, other invertebrates, and fishes. Explores the use of corals as resources and the impacts of human activities on coral reefs.
2. Contact Hours/Type 3 hours/lecture; 3 hours/lab
4. Prerequisites ENG 22/55 with at least a C, or placement at ENG 100, or consent.
Co-requisites
Recommended Preparation
Approved by______Date______
5. General Course Objectives
Biology 200 fulfills the Maui Community College the Natural Science laboratory requirements for the A.A. and A.S. degrees and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Genera; Education Requirements for Diversification, Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Laboatory credit (DB; 3 credits and D/Y; 1 credit). It is a requirement for Certificate of Competence - Marine Naturalist II, and is appropriate for satisfying the Marine Option Program requirements at UH campuses with that program.
For detailed information on how Biology 200 focuses on the Maui Community College general education standards, see the attached curricular grid.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
Linked to #7 Recommended Course Content
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. describe and discuss the major principles and concepts of the biological sciences including a definition of life, how living things differ from non-living things, cell structure and function, bioenergetics, photosynthesis and respiration, and systematic classification and taxonomy;
b. explain the geological origin and evolution of the Hawaiian Islands and describe the formation of coral reefs in the Hawaiian Island chain;
c. describe the biotic and abiotic environmental factors that influence the growth, development, and balance of coral reef communities and list the limiting factors of the coral reef ecosystems;
d. describe and give examples of the special adaptations of organisms living in the coral reef ecosystem;
e. investigate, compare, and demonstrate different survey methods for assessing and monitoring coral reef ecosystems (such as REEF, Reef Check, CRAMP)
f. identify the common organisms living in the coral reef ecosystem in the lab, in the aquarium, and/or in the field;
g. use GPS, GIS, and other technologies to map a field study area, relocate specific study sites, and record and display field data;
h. demonstrate the correct use of standard field and laboratory techniques and equipment:
i identify and hypothesize scientific explanations for current marine environmental problems in Hawai‘i;
j. record and communicate observations of naturally occurring phenomena clearly and objectively;
k. design and carry out an experiment to test a hypothesis about an environmental question including outlining materials and procedures; collecting and analyzing data; and writing an abstract, introduction, summary, conclusion, and discussion of the results.
l. explain the biology of scleractinian corals, with an emphasis on Hawaiian corals, including the systematics, classification, soft tissue morphology and cytology, skeletal morphology, endosymbiosis with zooxanthellae, modes of feeding, and reproduction;
m. describe the ecological relationships among the living components of coral reef communities such as food webs, predator-prey relationships, competition for resources, symbiotic associations, and zonation;
n. describe the interactions of the living components of coral reef communities with the physical environment such as energy flow and biogeochemical cycles;
o. describe the balance between framework building, erosion, and cementation that contribute to reef formation and geomorphology including the living organisms and the physical processes involved;
p. describe different types of coral reefs and the explain the processes that shape them including subsidence and sea-level change;
q. discuss the resources provided by coral reefs including food, building materials, cultural artifacts, medical and other technological resources, educational resources, recreation, and aesthetic values;
r. discuss the impacts of human activities on coral reefs and the significance of these impacts on other states and Pacific Island nations including overfishing; sewage, pesticide and fertilizer; industrial waste; coastal development; sedimentation; nonpoint source pollution; dynamiting; global warming; and ozone depletion;
s. explain the problems associated with the introduction of alien species into Hawaiian marine ecosystems and identify serious invasive species.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to # 6. Student Learning Outcomes
1-3 weeks Science as a way of knowing and discovering (a,g,h,i,j,k)
1 week Corals and their relatives (l)
1-2 weeks Coral anatomy and systematics (l)
Identification of Hawaiian corals (f)
1- 2 weeks Coral nutrition, reproduction, growth and development (l)
1- 3 weeks Reef formation and of reefs (b,p)
Reef geomorphology and zonation (o)
1-4 weeks Assessing and monitoring coral reef ecosystems (e,g,h,i,j,k)
1- 2 weeks Ecology of coral reefs: energy flow and trophic levels (c,m,n)
1- 2 weeks Ecology of coral reefs: species interactions (c,f,m,n)
1- 2 weeks Human impacts on coral reefs: local and global effects (q,r,s)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content
Text materials will be selected from the best and most up-to-date materials available, such as
Gulko, David. 1998. Hawaiian Coral Reef Ecology. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, HI. 256 pp.
Hoover, J. 1999. Hawai'i's Sea Creatures, A Guide to Hawai'i's Marine Invertebrates. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu.
Randall, John. 1996. Shore Fishes of Hawai‘i. Natural World Press, Vida OR.
Laboratory and field manual should include materials such as
required liability waivers;
instructions for lab, field, and homework activities;
checklists of organisms for field sites visited;
instructions for accessing WebCT and other web-based activities and exams;
review topics and questions for quizzes and other tests;
media viewing guides and discussion questions;
diagrams and maps; etc.
Approximately 200 books and other media are available for reference in the Biology office and in the Library
General reference materials, other field guides, and videos should be made available in the Open Reserve Room at the MCC Library and should include the materials such as those listed on the course web site http://kalama.doe.hawaii.edu/hern95/pt009/Ann/biol200.html
Videos, CD-ROMS, DVDs, web sites, TV programs, 35-mm slides, pictures, diagrams, charts, posters, brochures, coloring books, fresh and frozen biological specimens, prepared microscope slides, field trips, guest lectures, educational opportunites at local marine-related agencies.
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to
10-50% Written quizzes, midterm(s) and/or a final exam covering lectures,
discussions, media presentations, lab activities, field trips, guest
speakers, and reading assignments
5-30% Lab practical exams and species identification
10-30% Reading environmental articles and/or watching or attending programs about environmental issues in the media (including newspapers, video, magazines, journals, lectures, web-based material, etc.) and writing summaries and reactions
5-20% Reading text assigned materials and answering discussion questions
5-20% Participation in class discussions, group and individual oral reports
20-50% Laboratory and/or field experiments and activities
5-20% Laboratory and field skills
5-20% Field trip observations and species identification
5-20% Projects, reports, and/or Service-Learning
5-20% Punctuality, attendance, and participation
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods used are discretion of the instructor at the time the course is being offered. Suggested methods might include, but are not limited to
a. quizzes and other tests with feedback and discussion;
b. field and lab practical exams and species identification;
c. lectures and class discussions;
d. problem solving;
e. narrated 35-mm slide and/or PowerPoint presentations;
f. videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs with detailed viewing guide and discussion questions;
g. lab activities including experiments, lab skill lessons, data analysis, and other activities;
h. field trips including field notes, activities, observations, and data collection;
i. guest speakers and attendance at public lectures;
j. group activities;
k. oral reports and other student presentations;
l. games and simulations;
m. homework assignments such as
- reading, or watching, and writing summaries and reactions to environmental
issues in the media including newspapers, video, magazines, journals,
lectures, web-based material, and other sources;
- map activities;
- reading text and reference material and answering discussion questions;
- research environmental issues, and problems;
n. web-based assignments and activities;
o. reflective journals;
p. group and/ or individual research projects with reports or poster presentations;
q. study logs and study groups;
r. Service-Learning, community service, and/or civic engagement projects; and
s. other contemporary learning techniques (such as problem-based learning, investigative case-based learning, co-op, internships, self-paced programs, etc.)