Empire State College:  State University of New York Skip navigation Home | MyESC | Site Index

MARINE BIOLOGY (SMT-273374)

Online Learning Home > Online Learning Catalog > Science Math & Technology >

Course Description:


This course introduces marine biology as the study of living organisms within saltwater ecosystems. Through this course, concerned citizens can acquire the necessary tools to teach others about the importance of saving our oceans. Students develop a firm grasp of scientific vocabulary, facts, and concepts along with scientific literacy: the ability to read scientific studies, interpret numeric information, weigh and assess data, make connections, apply what was learned to issues outside of the classroom and write effectively about scientific results. These skills are invaluable in advocating for informed protection of the marine environment.

In this course, students are expected to have prior college biology (see suggested prerequisites) and strong writing skills. From the beginning, the student will learn biological concepts through an exploration of the sea and through reading, discussing, and analyzing scientific literature. This course builds on and extends prior knowledge of college biology through emphasis on genetics, cell biology, evolution, and the importance of microbiology to all life. Students study the oceans globally through the Blue Planet video series and locally on Long Island sound through the videos developed by Empire State College in collaboration with The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk.

Along the way, students develop a facility in reading, interpreting, analyzing, assessing, and discussing scientific information. Through online discussion of research studies, students examine competing hypotheses and frame new questions. Students interact and learn from each other through an engaging set of roundtable discussions and in class presentations of journal article reviews. In this way, a strong sense of learning community is fostered. Students develop and demonstrate the ability to make constructive and sound decisions on issues regarding the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems today and for the future.

Note: this course has a required DVD-based video component.

Prerequisites: prior college biology must include one of the following: Biology of Ecosystems, General Biology or equivalent. In addition, strong writing and research skills are absolutely necessary for the successful completion of this advanced level course.

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.



This online course is offered through Online Learning. You can take this as an individual course or as part of an online degree program, with term starts in March, May, September, November and January. View current term offerings and all online courses. Click here to register for online courses.

spacing 
bar---------------------------------------------------------------
Other Areas: The Arts | Business, Management & Economics | Community & Human Services | Communications, Humanities & Cultural Studies | Educational Studies | Historical Studies | Human Development | Labor Studies | Nursing | Science, Math & Technology | Social Science
spacing 
bar---------------------------------------------------------------
Liberal Study
Upper Level
Credits: 4
Meets General Education Requirement In: Natural Sciences-Full

Term(s) Offered (Subject to Change) : Spring 1. Summer.

For Books and Materials List Go to the Online Bookstore