Maricopa Community Colleges  BIO149AJ   19894-19922 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 03/14/89
BIO149AJ 19894-19922 LAB 2 Credit(s) 14 Period(s)
Field Biology: Coral Reef Biology in Jamaica
Introduction to coral reef environments and ecology, including natural history of coral reef organisms. Fourteen-day field experience in Jamaica. Emphasis on live coral reef organisms in natural habitat through daily snorkeling trips. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
BIO149AJ   19894-19922 Field Biology: Coral Reef Biology in Jamaica
1. Participate safely in field experiences without disturbing the environment. (I)
2. Describe the physical features of the Caribbean sea, the islands, and surrounding land masses. (II)
3. Distinguish between the habitats associated with coral reefs in the field. (III)
4. Describe processes which have contributed to the formation of the coral reef and associated habitats. (III)
5. Relate the structure of the marine organisms unique to coral reefs and their ability to cope with their environment. (IV)
6. Predict the locations of coral reef organisms depending on environmental conditions. (IV)
7. Differentiate types of interactions between coral reef organisms in the field. (IV)
8. Describe types of coral reef communities. (IV)
9. Diagram food webs for selected locations on the coral reef. (IV)
10. Compare and contrast the types of coral reef community development. (IV)
11. Identify coral reef organisms in the field. (V)
12. Classify living coral reef organisms into systematic groups. (V)
13. Utilize a taxonomic key to identify selected coral reef organisms. (V)
14. Describe the role of selected marine organisms in the coral reef environment. (V)
15. Utilize the senses of touch and sight to identify the characteristics of specific coral reef organisms. (V)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
BIO149AJ   19894-19922 Field Biology: Coral Reef Biology in Jamaica
    I. Introduction and Requirements
        A. Scope and Methods of Study
        B. Logistics of the Trip and Field Trip Etiquette
          1. Snorkeling
            a. Equipment
            b. Physiology
            c. Safety precautions
          2. Diver Safety
        C. Venomous Animals of the Reef
          1. Urchins
          2. Fire Coral
          3. Cubozoa
          4. Hydroids
      II. Caribbean Sea
          A. Geology
          B. Climate
          C. Oceanography
        III. Coral Reefs
            A. Overview of Environments
            B. Types of Reefs
            C. Reef Development and Distribution
          IV. Coral Reef Ecology
              A. Adaptations to the physical environment
                1. Temperature
                2. Light
                3. Salinities
                4. Wave Action
              B. Distribution of organisms
                1. Habitats and Microhabitats
                2. Indicator Organisms
                3. Zonation of Coral Reefs
                  a. General Features
                  b. Dominant Organisms
                4. Seasonality
              C. Interactions between organisms
                1. Competition
                2. Symbiosis
                3. Parasitism
                4. Predation
                5. Recruitment and Reproduction
              D. Community Ecology
                1. Types of Communities
                  a. Plankton
                  b. Nekton
                  c. Benthos
                2. Food Webs
                3. Diversity
                4. Succession
            V. Systematics and Natural History of Coral Reef organisms
                A. Corals and Their Relatives
                  1. Basic Biology
                  2. Systematics
                B. Invertebrates Associate with Corals
                  1. Sponges
                  2. Annelids
                  3. Molluscs
                  4. Arthropods
                  5. Echinoderms
                C. Fishes of the Coral Reef
                  1. General Biology
                  2. Systematics
                  3. Feeding
                  4. Behavior
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