MSCI 401D - Fundamentals of Marine Science, Biological Oceanography

Credits: (2)
Prerequisite(s): MSCI 330 or BIOL 330 or GEOL 330, and BIOL 204 or permission of instructor
This course examines the biology and ecology of marine organisms and how they interact with their environment. Topics include the organisms and their behavior, distribution, and underlying physiology; effects of biology on elemental and nutrient cycles and visa versa; and ecosystem structure and ecological interactions. An interdisciplinary approach will be taken, as biology both depends on and influences ocean chemistry, physics, geology, and climate. The course will emphasize open ocean, pelagic systems, but will include many examples from coastal and estuarine systems, as well as shallow and deep-sea benthic systems. MSCI 401D requires co-registration with the relevant MSCI 401R.