MCCCD Program Description

Marine Biology

Course: BIO145

First Term: 2025 Fall

Lecture 4.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: T - Lab Load

Description: A survey of marine environments and their biotic communities with emphasis on the natural history of marine organisms.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the biological, geological, physical, and chemical features that influence the evolution of life in Earth’s interconnected marine environments. (I) 2. Describe how scientists explore and study the ocean, which is largely unexplored. (I) 3. Explain that the ocean is shaped by forces that formed the Earth. (I) 4. Explain how the ocean influences weather and climate. (I) 5. Apply principles of scientific method while conducting laboratory activities and experiments. (I-VI) 6. Describe the key processes of evolution by natural selection and how they contribute to speciation and biodiversity. (II) 7. Analyze evidence that supports our understanding of evolution and the evolutionary relatedness of organisms. (II) 8. Evaluate the major groups of marine life and the adaptations that help these organisms thrive in the marine environment. (III) 9. Describe how the ocean supports a great diversity of life. (III, IV) 10. Describe the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients within and among marine systems. (IV) 11. Provide examples and characteristics of diverse and unique ecosystems from the surface through the water column and down to, and below, the seafloor. (IV) 12. Explain how zonation patterns are caused by environmental features and influence marine organisms’ distribution and diversity. (IV) 13. Provide examples of the interconnectedness of the various organisms in marine systems through competition, predation, and symbiosis. (IV) 14. Describe how human activities impact the ocean, marine life, and marine ecosystems. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Foundations of marine biology A. Geology of ocean basins 1. Plate tectonics 2. Seafloor mapping and bathymetry B. Physical features 1. Waves, tides and currents 2. Light 3. Temperature 4. Pressure C. Chemical features 1. Water 2. Salinity 3. Dissolved gasses 4. Nutrients D. Climate and weather E. Ocean exploration and research methods II. Evolution and biodiversity A. Evolution by natural selection B. Evidence for evolution C. Adaptations that support marine life D. Phylogeny and taxonomy of marine species III. Marine life A. Marine producers (bacteria, phytoplankton, algae, and plants) B. Marine invertebrates C. Marine vertebrates IV. Marine ecology A. Physiological processes 1. Respiration 2. Photosynthesis 3. Chemosynthesis B. Trophic interactions in marine systems 1. Nutrient cycling 2. Energy flow a. Producers b. Consumers c. Decomposers 3. Food webs 4. Species interactions (mutualism, predation, parasitism, commensalism, and competition) C. Nearshore systems (tropical, temperate, polar) 1. Intertidal zone 2. Coral reefs D. Offshore systems (tropical, temperate, polar) 1. Life near the surface (epipelagic systems) 2. Life in the twilight zone (mesopelagic systems) 3. Life in the deep sea (abyssopelagic, hadalpelagic and benthic systems) V. Human connections to the ocean A. Ocean resources B. Human impacts on marine environments, ecosystems and biodiversity C. Human driven climate change D. Remediation and conservation strategies VI. Laboratory activities A. Safety and procedures B. Scientific method C. Use of available laboratory equipment and available materials such as models, preserved specimens, images, or other interactive materials D. Scientific and quantitative reasoning E. Data analysis and interpretation F. Laboratory reports

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 25, 2024

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.