Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Marine Biology

 Title Abbreviation:   MARINE BIOLOGY

 Department:    BIOL

 Course #:    205

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    6

 CIP:    260101

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Introduction to marine organisms and the environment in which they live. Special emphasis is given to the species found in the Pacific Northwest. Field trips may be required. Lab included.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 099 and MATH 98.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 33

Lab: 44

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Natural Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
CWU X
OTHER Undergraduate Marine Biology Community Colleges
U of W X
WSU X
WWU X

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify common marine organisms found in Pacific Northwest waters.
  2. Describe different marine environments and the types of organisms associated with them.
  3. Describe the life histories of major marine organism groups.
  4. Discuss various cultural uses of marine resources.
  5. Recognize the ecological relationships between different marine species.
  6. Work with others in laboratory group work.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.
1.3 Evaluate information and its sources critically.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.

9. Scientific Literacy

Definition: Understanding scientific principles, and analyzing and applying scientific information in a variety of contexts.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
9.1 Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific concepts.
9.2 Demonstrate their understanding of the principles of scientific methods, analysis, and reasoning.
9.3 Analyze, apply, and communicate scientific concepts and principles in context (for example, in technological, personal, and/or professional situations).
9.4 Use scientific concepts and principles to understand the natural world, human behavior and culture, and relationships between humans and the rest of the natural world.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

  1. Marine environments
  2. Tides and currents
  3. Plankton, Nekton, and Benthos
  4. Algae and marine plants
  5. Sponges
  6. Cnidarians and Ctenophores
  7. Flat and segmented worms
  8. Arthropods
  9. Molluscs
  10. Echinoderms and Urochordates
  11. Fishes
  12. Mammals, birds, and reptiles
  13. Humanity's impact on the marine environment.