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.