Maricopa Community Colleges  BIO149AH   19962-99999 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 12/12/95
BIO149AH 19962-99999 LAB 1 Credit(s) 7 Period(s)
Field Biology: Marine Biology in Mexico
Introduction to marine experiments, marine biology, and ecology. On-site field experience in Mexico. Emphasis on observation and study of marine organisms along the shore. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
BIO149AH   19962-99999 Field Biology: Marine Biology in Mexico
1. Participate in field experiences without disturbing the environment. (I, IV, V)
2. Describe the physical features of the northern Gulf of California and its surrounding land mass. (II)
3. Distinguish among shoreline features in the field. (III)
4. Describe processes which have contributed to the formation of the shoreline observed in the field. (III)
5. Relate the structure of marine organisms to their ability to cope with environmental changes and extremes. (IV)
6. Predict the locations of marine organisms depending upon environmental conditions. (IV)
7. Describe the types of interactions among organisms in the field. (IV)
8. Describe types of intertidal communities. (IV)
9. Diagram a food web for selected locations in the field. (IV)
10. Compare and contrast the differences in intertidal community development. (IV)
11. Identify marine organisms in the field. (V)
12. Classify living marine organisms into systematic groups. (V)
13. Create a taxonomic key to a selected group of marine organisms. (V)
14. Describe the role of marine organisms in the intertidal environment. (V)
15. Utilize sense of touch, smell, and sight to identify the characteristics of specific marine organisms. (V)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
BIO149AH   19962-99999 Field Biology: Marine Biology in Mexico
    I. Introduction to Field Biology
        A. Scope
        B. Field trip etiquette
        C. Methods of study
      II. Northern Gulf of California
          A. Geology
          B. Climate
          C. Oceanography
        III. Shorelines
            A. Processes of shoreline formation
              1. Waves
              2. Currents
              3. Tides
            B. Types of shoreline environment
              1. Rocky shores
                a. Headland
                b. Open coast
                c. Types of rock
              2. Sandy shores
                a. Open coast
                b. Protected coast
              3. Mud flats
                a. Protected coast
                b. Inner coast
              4. Marshes
                a. Tidelands
                b. Estuaries
          IV. Intertidal Zone Ecology
              A. Adaptations to the physical environment
                1. Desiccation
                2. Extreme temperatures
                3. Light
                4. Extreme salinities
                5. Wave action
                6. Burial
              B. Distribution of organisms
                1. Microhabitats
                2. Indicator organisms
                3. Zonation
                4. Seasonality
              C. Interactions among organisms
                1. Competition
                2. Symbiosis
                3. Parasitism
                4. Predation
              D. Community ecology
                1. Types of communities
                  a. Plankton
                  b. Nekton
                  c. Benthos
                2. Food webs
                3. Diversity
                4. Disturbance theory
                5. Succession
            V. Systematics, Natural History, and Ecology of Marine Organisms
                A. Algae
                  1. Greens
                  2. Browns
                  3. Reds
                B. Flowering plants
                  1. Grasses
                  2. Succulents
                C. Invertebrates
                  1. Sponges
                  2. Cnidarians
                  3. Flatworms
                  4. Segmented worms
                  5. Molluscs
                  6. Crustaceans
                  7. Echinoderms
                D. Fish
                  1. Sharks and rays
                  2. Bony fish
                E. Birds
                  1. Diving
                  2. Wading
                F. Mammals
                  1. Sea lions
                  2. Dolphins
                  3. Whales
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