BIOSM 3730 - Biodiversity and Biology of the Marine Invertebrates

Summer. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: one semester of college-level biology or equivalent. Offered in Maine at Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island.

D. Harvell, P. Mikkelsen.

Introduction to the biology and evolution of the major invertebrate phyla, concentrating on marine representatives. In addition to the evolution of form and function, lectures cover aspects of ecology, behavior, physiology, chemical ecology, and natural history of invertebrates. Shoals Marine Lab exposes students to a wealth of marine and terrestrial invertebrates in their natural habitats. Regular field excursions allow an excellent opportunity to study freshly collected and in situ representatives of most of the major phyla.

Outcome 1: Learn the major phyla of marine invertebrates through hands on experience with living representatives of each.

Outcome 2: Understand phylo genetic relationships among the major phyla and within selected major phyla.

Outcome 3: Learn relationships within each of the 10 major phyla of marine invertebrates through hands on observation and experience with living.

Outcome 4: Representatives of each.

Outcome 5: Develop an appreciation for some major avenues of research with marine invertebrates.

Outcome 6: Gain experience with the design and implementation of a research project with marine invertebrates, including hypothesis testing and aspects of experimental design.

Outcome 7: Gain experience in analyzing and summarizing research data.

Outcome 8: Gain experience in giving a formal research presentation and in writing a scientific paper.

Outcome 9: Learn to work as a group through take home essays and group research projects.

Outcome 10: Gain experience in organismal biology through hands on, experiential lear.