First, the course will survey the major groups of marine organisms. Invertebrates will be emphasized. Vertebrates and plants will also be included, but will be treated more superficially. For each group studied I will present a fair amount of taxonomy, try to emphasize the major evolutionary trends within and between groups, and describe the structural, ecological and physiological adaptations each group has made to its particular life style and environment. This emphasis is designed to provide you with an appreciation for the diversity of life in the sea.
Diversity is a word that is today at the forefront of our studies about the ecology of our planet.
Yet at Mount Union we too often concentrate on humans and other mammals in our courses. This course should go a long way in making you aware of what diversity in biology really means. Second, the course will examine several biological problems which are experienced by marine organisms and the adaptations different groups have made to them. Such work will deal with osmoregulation, feeding strategies, reproductive behaviors, etc. Dedicated experimental work will be assigned which will allow you to define the problems and determine how marine organisms solve them.