Download Total credit hours = 4 - College of Micronesia

College of Micronesia
PO Box 159
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Course Title: Marine Biology w/lab
Department & Number: MR 120
Course Description: The course introduces students to the common forms of life
inhabiting the oceans of the globe including the marine microbes, plants, invertebrates,
and vertebrates. Their basic structure, function, natural history and adaptations to the
marine environment will be covered. Current issues in marine biology will also be
discussed. Laboratory sessions and field exercises will focus mostly on the taxonomic
groups.
Course Prepared by: F. Harriss
Hours per week
Lecture
State: National Campus, Pohnpei
No. of week
Total Hours
Semester Credits
____3____
x
___16__ =
___48___
=
3
Laboratory ____3____
x
___16___ =
___48___
=
1
Total credit hours = 4
Purpose of Course: Degree Requirement ____X_____

Degree Elective
__________
Certificate
___________
Other
___________
This course also meets PLO #(s) 3.1 and 3.2 of the GEN ED program.
Prerequisite Courses: ESL 089.
________________________________________
__________________
Signature, Chairperson, Curriculum & Assessment
Committee
Date Approved
________________________________________
__________________
Signature, VPIA, COM-FSM
Date Approved
MR120 MARINE BIOLOGY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 11/28/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/14/11
A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of geological, geographical, physical, chemical,
astrological, and biological oceanography.
2. Apply fundamental knowledge of marine sciences towards identifying and solving
regional and global problems relating to marine systems.
3. Apply the scientific process to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and collect and
analyze data from which valid scientific conclusions are drawn.
4. Communicate effectively, in written and oral forms, utilizing the language and concepts of
marine science.
B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an enhanced capacity to
observe, classify, make predictions, formulate hypotheses, analyze data, and derive
conclusions.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic biochemical molecules.
3. Describe cellular structures and their functions.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of energy, cellular respiration, and
photosynthesis.
5. Explain, and identify the forms of cell division.
6. Explain the basic principles of Mendelian and molecular genetics.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of marine life.
8. Form connections between human activities and the affects on marine life.
SLO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
PLO 1
PLO 2
ID
ID
ID
I
ID
ID
I
I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered
PLO 3
ID
I
I
I
I
I
I
PLO 4
ID
I
I
ID
ID
C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:
General SLO 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an enhanced capacity
to observe, classify, make predictions, formulate hypotheses, analyze data, and derive
conclusions.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
1.1 Define and describe the general steps in the scientific method,
differentiate inductive and deductive reasoning, explain how
hypotheses are formed, identify variables, and elaborate upon the
reasons why, and the ways in which, a scientist conducts
controlled experiments.
1.2 Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method by
conducting at least one laboratory experiment, collecting and
analyzing data, and presenting experimental results in a formal
laboratory report.
Quiz and examination.
Laboratory report will be
scored using a rubric for
demonstration level.
General SLO 2. Demonstrate knowledge of basic biochemical molecules
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
2.1Illustrate basic atomic structure, describe subatomic particles,
relate the atom’s structure to its chemical properties, describe
electron orbital configuration and how it affects the reactivity of
an element, and describe three types of chemical bonds and how
each is formed.
2.2 Describe the mechanism of enzymes as catalysts in chemical
reactions.
Homework and/or Quiz,
and examination.
2.2 List the four major groups of biological molecules and
describe their functions.
Quiz and/or examination.
General SLO 3. Describe cellular structures and their functions.
Student Learning Outcomes
3.1 Differentiate between prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, and
viruses.
3.2 Describe the function of a cell wall, plasma membrane, and
cytoskeleton.
3.3 Name and explain the functions of structures in both
eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
3.4 Identify prokaryotic cells, plant cells, animal cells, and major
cellular components.
Quiz, examination, and
optional laboratory
exercise.
Assessment Strategies
Quiz and/or examination
and laboratory exercises.
Quiz and/or examination.
Quiz and/or examination.
Demonstrate in laboratory
exercises.
General SLO 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of energy, cellular respiration,
and photosynthesis.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
4.1 Define energy, explain the role of ATP as an energy coupler,
and compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
4.2 Outline the generalized formula for cellular respiration, and
illustrate the structure and explain the function of mitochondria.
4.3 Outline the generalized formula for photosynthesis, illustrate
the structure and explain the function of a chloroplast.
General SLO 5. Explain, and identify the forms of cell division
Student Learning Outcomes
5.1 Describe and diagram binary fission.
5.2 List the stages of, and identify the stages of, the cell cycle,
describe the phases and events of mitosis and meiosis,
differentiate between karyokinesis and cytokinesis, and
distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction.
Quiz and/or examination.
Quiz and/or examination.
Quiz and/or examination
Assessment Strategies
Quiz and/or examination.
Laboratory
exploration/reporting.
Quiz and/or examination.
Laboratory
exploration/reporting.
General SLO 6. Explain the basic principles of Mendelian and molecular genetics
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
6.1 Explain the Mendelian principles of heredity, connect the
steps of meiosis to Mendelian principles of inheritance, describe
inheritance patterns including dominance, incomplete dominance,
and codominance.
6.2 Describe the basic events of DNA replication and understand
the use of RNA to generate proteins.
Quiz and/or examination.
Laboratory exercises
including Punnet squares.
Quiz and/or examination.
General SLO 7. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of marine life.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
7.1 Define organic evolution, explain the evolution of life
according to Darwin, and define speciation.
7.2 Identify the major physical conditions that influence living
creatures.
7.3 List, describe the characteristics of, and classify marine
organisms by domain, kingdom, phylum/division, and class.
7.4 Differentiate between taxonomy, phylogeny, and systematics.
7.5 Describe the morphology, function, niche, and adaptation of
marine organisms.
Quiz and/or examination.
Quiz and/or examination.
Quiz and/or examination.
Laboratory
explorations/reports.
Quiz and/or examination.
Quiz and/or examination
Laboratory
explorations/reports.
General SLO 8. Form connections between human activities and the affects on marine life.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
8.1 Identify a few examples of, and explain, the human impact on
marine life and marine resources.
Quiz and/or examination.
Laboratory exercise and/or
project.
D. COURSE CONTENT
1. Scientific method
2. Biochemistry
3. Cell structure and function
4. Energy
5. Cell division and reproduction
6. Genetics
7. Evolution
8. Taxonomy & classification
9. Diversity of marine life
10. Human impacts on marine life
E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lectures, audio-visuals (including videos/DVDs), laboratory exercises, field trips, and
observations.
F. REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Castro, P. & Huber, M.E. (2010). Marine Biology. (8th ed.) New York, N.Y.:McGraw Hill
(or most recent edition).
G. REFERENCE MATERIALS
Current publications and periodicals of relevance and video/DVDs as relevant.
H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
Replacement of laboratory equipment approximately $200 per year, transportation and
supplies associated with field trips approximately $1200 per year.
I. EVALUATION
None
J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None