SMS 354 - Thinking About the Ocean: A Question-based Approach to Learning Marine Sciences


The purpose of the course is to challenge students to apply their knowledge of the marine science to answer questions about the ocean.  The course is organized around a broad theme such as whales.  Students then select a few broad questions such as "why do whales migrate" and "how will bowhead whales respond to climate change?"  Students will work together to answer the questions, and will be encouraged to apply information from their introductory coursework and readings from the primary literature.  These questions are designed to connect the theme to basic concepts from oceanography and biology, and topics will include: ocean biology and productivity, climate change, and evolution.

Prerequisites: BIO 100, SMS 100 and SMS 201.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

Credits: 3

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