In this course, we will focus on a ground-up approach. The emphasis will be on starting from first principles, then building on these to develop an understanding of more complex aspects of biological oceanography. Biological oceanography is not a mature science. While the primary emphasis of the course will be to discuss what we do know about processes and mechanisms, a subplot running throughout this course will be to point out what we don't know, and what is limiting our knowledge.
COURSE MECHANICS
Learning is a two-way street. When I was a student I never appreciated being constantly "lectured to". While some of the material in this course, especially in the first part of the semester, is best presented in the traditional lecture mode, classroom discussions will be emphasized. I encourage and expect open discussions during class meetings. To facilitate such discussion, you are expected to have done the assigned reading before class. Each student will be assigned as a resource person twice during the course. Their job is to have thoroughly read the assigned papers for a given class meeting and be ready to field questions from the rest of the class.
PREREQUISITES
You should have taken calculus and general biology. Chemistry and physics are also preferred. Biological oceanography is a quantitative topic, and you will be exposed to a variety of mathematical equations, graphs, and concepts from chemistry and physics. If you are not certain that you have the necessary background, try the course for a few weeks.
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER READING ASSIGNMENTS You should buy a copy of:
Lalli, C. M. and T. R. Parsons (1997) Biological oceanography: an introduction. 2nd edition. Oxford, 301 pp.
Regular reading assignments will be made from this book. Other, additional reading assignments will be from the primary scientific literature and these will be available to download from the course website.