Download Materials needed for Marine Ecology

Mrs. Jenna Oleykowski
[email protected]
610-853-2900 ext. 2359
What is Marine Ecology?
Marine ecology is the scientific study of marine life, habitat, populations and interactions between
organisms and their environment. This includes all factors that may contribute to the development of these
various interactions. The term abiotic refers to all nonliving factors such as toxins that may interfere with an
organism’s ability to reproduce. On the other hand, the term biotic refers to all living factors such as the
interaction between other marine organisms, or even man. Marine ecologists collect data on these and other
related topics to analyze the influence they have over the marine environment.
So What’s the BIG Idea?
There are three BIG Ideas that we will focus on during our studies.
 The Ocean as a Habitat
Our oceans occupy approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface. Despite being an interconnected ocean
system, each major ocean basin is as diversified as the life that calls our ocean home. We will explore
topics ranging from the creation of the ocean basins to the currents needed to circulate needed
nutrients. Saltwater chemistry will also be discussed aw we define our oceans as a habitat.
 Human Intervention in the Sea
For much of our history as a species, we have relied on many resources from the sea. Here we will take
a look to see how reliant we truly are on our oceans as a resource. Topics will range from the fish
served at the local restaurants to the more recent BP disaster. Methods of resource harvest and
pollution cleanup will be discussed as we outline human intervention in the sea.
 The Diversity of Living Things
The ocean provides us with an array of living organisms, each one as unique as the last. From
microscopic plankton to the enormous blue whale life thrives at such a level, it is awe inspiring. We will
take a taxonomic journey through the life at sea as we classify the diversity of living things.
Resource:
Sumich, J. L. (1999). An Introduction to the Biology of: Marine life. United States:
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Materials needed for Marine Ecology:
3-Ring binder: You will be handed supplemental resources daily i.e. readings, worksheets and lab reports. You will
need somewhere to keep them.
Notebook: You will take class notes and observation on a regular basis. Please bring your notebook every day.
Pen / Pencil: Really..? Do I need to explain why you need one of these?
Rubber Gloves: You will be required to wear protective gloves during any dissection conducted during class. These are
to be supplied by you. If you and a partner would like to split the cost of a box of gloves that is great. Write your name on
the box and bring them in when you purchase your gloves. We will store them here until they are needed.
Classroom Expectations and Policies:
3 Be’s . . .
1. Be Respectful: Show respect towards each other, the teacher, and yourselves. Behavior that interferes with any
student’s learning will not be permitted.
2a. Be Responsible: Come prepared – bring three-ring binder, pencil, and any other materials needed to class each
day. If you are not prepared, you will lose one point off of your preparation grade for the semester.
“Live
every week
ityou
ismust
Shark
Week.”
Jordan
2b.
Be Responsible:
When thelike
bell rings,
be in your
seat working ~
on Tracy
the day’s “Marine
Minutes”. If you are
late to class without a pass it is considered an unexcused lateness. The following late policy will be enforced:
a) 1st unexcused lateness – verbal warning
b) 2nd unexcused lateness – parent notified, detention assigned
c) 3rd unexcused lateness and all subsequent – parent notified, detention assigned
3. Be Safe: You must remain in your seats during class and wait until dismissed by the teacher.
Grade for the Course:
This course consists of tests, quizzes, projects, homework assignments, class work, labs, activities, presentations, and class
participation. This course follows the 80%/20% grading system as required by the School District. This means that all
quizzes, tests, major projects and most labs will be weighted as 80% of the quarter grade; class work, homework, and any
other daily assignments will be weighted as 20% of the quarter grade. Extra credit is available if it is completed by the
deadline before the end of each marking period. You must have no missing assignments to be eligible for extra credit.
Some of the Major Assignments:
Waves, Tides and Currents Children’s Book
Pollution Project (Senior Project eligible)
Marine Invertebrate Essay
Animal Kingdom Almanac
Aquarium Project
50 pts
100 pts
50 pts
50 pts
100 pts
Current Events Assignment:
Students are required to collect a total of five (5) current event articles. A minimum of one (1) current event
must be from a print source. The student should read the article and write a brief summary (1/2 page typed; or
1 page hand written) of the article. The student should also be prepared to discuss their article with the class.
it is my HONOR to congratulate you
I would like to congratulate you in taking an interest in Marine Ecology. This will be a
challenging course in which we explore than many facets that make up the field of Marine
Ecology. We will facilitate our studies utilizing lecture, group practice, and individual practice.
We will complete a variety of assignments, activities, and laboratory exercises each with a
specific focal point. There is a common cliché within the scientific community that says: “We
know more about the surface of our moon than the depths of our oceans.” It is my hope that
upon completion of this course, this cliché will be put to sea (pun intended).
This syllabus is meant to communicate the content, expectations, and structure that I have
of my students in the Marine Ecology Course. The first assignment in this course is to
return this page of the intact newsletter signed by the student and student’s
parent/guardian below. Pages one and two of the newsletter will be placed in the
student’s binder for future reference.
Thank you,
Jenna Oleykowski
Student signature:
Parent/Guardian signature:

“In the end, we will
conserve only what we
love, we will love only
what we understand and
we will understand only
what we are taught.”
Baba Dioum
