Bio s32: Experimental Marine Ecology

Course Description: Experimental hypothesis testing dominants the field of marine ecology. This course has two objectives. First, it is designed to introduce you to current hypotheses concerning the relationships between species and their environment , intra and interspecific interactions, and factors structuring communities by examining these topics in coastal communities. Second, it will give you the experience of designing and conducting your own experiment. During the first two weeks of the course, we will explore the major coastal communities (saltmarshes, intertidal soft-sediments, rocky intertidal, seagrass beds, estuarine water column) by reading selected literature and by examining the processes and interactions discussed in this literature during field trips to each of the communities. We will also examine experimental techniques used to study these communities and their organisms. Following this introduction, each student will design an experiment which they will conduct during the last three weeks of the course. Throughout the course we will read and discuss primary literature concerning experimental marine ecology in general and related to students' projects in particular. The course will culminate with a paper and oral presentations and discussion of student experiments.

Field Work: Field work will be organized around low tide and therefore the time will change daily. A tentative schedule of field trips is presented below. You are expected to keep informed of any changes in schedule which will be made during class and via e-mail to the bulletin board for this class (bios32; send a message to majordomo with "subscribe bios32" as text). It is important to dress warmly (wool hat, sweater, long pants) for all field work even though it is spring. The water is still cold and you should expect to get wet. Bring extra clothes to change into after work. All students are expected to participate in all field trips during the first two weeks. Field work during the last 3 weeks will be structured around student projects.

Weather can be very variable and change quickly at this time of year. Before venturing into the field, you must check the weather. This is best done by getting an up-to-date weather forecast from the world wide web at the following site:

You must work in the field with at least one other person and let me or the TA know where you are going, what you will be doing, and when you expect to return. Upon return you must notify me or the TA. This can be done via e-mail for late tides.

Independent Project: You are strongly encouraged to begin thinking about your project immediately. You may work alone or with one and possibly, for very ambitious projects, two other students. All students must contribute equally to group projects and are expected to participate in all aspects from design to final presentation. Each student, or groups of students, will present their research in a formal, 15 minute, talk at the end of the course. Students will be evaluated by their peers on the basis of the research they conducted and the presentation. In addition, each student, or group of students, will report their results in the form of a scientific paper.

Class work: We will meet on average 3-4 days a week for approximately 2 hours a day to discuss literature and projects. Class time will change daily depending on the field schedule.

Attendance: You are expected to attend every class and field exercise unless you have made prior arrangements with me.

Readings: Assigned articles are identified by first authors last name and date in the syllabus and are in the laboratory (Carnegie 444). There are several copies of every article, but it is important that you not keep the articles too long so that everyone has a chance to read them before class. Sign each article out by writing your name, date, and time on the article's folder and crossing your name out when you return the article. Class will be a discussion of the articles, so it is important that everyone reads them before class. Those marked with an * will be discussed in detail. The other articles provide important background information and should also be read. Students will be expected to contribute articles germane to their research project and to lead a class discussion of these articles during the third week of class. These articles will also be kept in the laboratory.

Grading: Grades will be assigned based on the following criteria: