Biology 3361

Marine Biology: Coastal Systems

WHO & WHAT’S INVOLVED IN THE COURSE

• Dr. R. Aiken, Office Hours : 10:30 – 12:00 MWF

• Lab/Field Instructors: Wayne Anderson, Danielle LeBlanc • TA's:

• Lectures: MWF 930 – 1020. Flemington 103

• Field Trip: One weekend trip to St. Andrews

• Text: NONE - but several books will be on reserve in the Library

• Course Website (accessible through Moodle):http://www.mta.ca/~raiken/Courses/3361/2015index3361.html

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Item Percent Due Date  

Midterm 20% February 16, 2015

Final Exam 30% ???

Lab/Field Assignment

Group Report 35% March 27, 2015

TOTAL 100%

Oral Presentations 15% April 3, 6 and 8, 2015

Biology 3361 Field Trip

Saint Andrews

Huntsman Marine Science Centre

Field Trip

Field Trip Logistics

• Cost – about $180 (transportation, all meals, accommodation)

• Research – 5 groups of 5

• Each group is responsible for designing a sampling program to answer a specific research question

• Each group will have 3 opportunities to collect data (3 low tides)

• Trip will be on the weekend (Friday – Sunday) of January 30, 31, February 1(or on Feb 14, 15, 16 as a backup date)

• The low tides are Friday – 1334, Saturday – 1431 and Sunday - 1522

The course will be divided into four sections:

1. Effects of physical factors on the intertidal

2. Effects of biological factors on intertidal zonation

3. Soft substrate intertidal habitats

4. Hard substrate intertidal habitats

Biology 3361

Course Content

See the course website for dates of specific lectures

1- Waves

1. Effects of physical factors on the intertidal

2- Currents

1. Effects of physical factors on the intertidal

3- Tides

1. Effects of physical factors on the intertidal

4 - Ocean Chemistry

1. Effects of physical factors on the intertidal

Population and Community Structure

2. Effects of biological factors on intertidal zonation

Life History Patterns

2. Effects of biological factors on intertidal zonation

Reproductive Patterns

2. Effects of biological factors on intertidal zonation

Intertidal Zones - Rocky Intertidal as a Model

2. Effects of biological factors on intertidal zonation

Estuaries Saltmarshes

MudflatsBeachesMangal

Sea Grass Beds

3. Soft substrate intertidal habitats

Kelp Forests

Coral Reefs

Rocky Subtidal

4. Hard substrate intertidal habitats

Next Day – Ocean Zones and BasinsGeneral Features