BIOL 208 - Oceans and Their Ecosystems

This course will start with a look at how the oceans developed on our planet, including the seafloor spreading theory and hydrologic cycle. The benthic substrate and benthos will be considered as well as the physical and chemical properties of seawater. The basics of oceanography (including currents, waves, tides, oceanography (including currents, waves, tides, and marine biology (including the zones of the ocean, marine food webs, plankton, and nekton) will be considered. Environmental concerns that pertain to the oceans will be covered. This course will also briefly cover some basic earth science such as plate tectonics and the motion of the atmosphere and how these pertain to the oceans. (Note: this course will fulfill a general elective, but not an elective course in the biology major.) 3 credits