This course is designed to provide a general introduction of marine biology and marine science to anyone interested in the oceans and organisms that live there. We will cover the physical and chemical nature of the oceans, then proceed with an overview of the incredible variety of marine life, and finish with closer looks at important marine habitats.
Given that I'm a career marine biologist, this is my favorite course to teach. I put considerable effort into sharing my passions with marine life and the oceans with students. If your schedule permits, I also highly recommend that you enroll in the companion laboratory course, Biology 182, for a hands-on look at marine life and field trips to local sites of interest.
The textbook for the course is Marine Biology (7th Edition, Castro & Huber). This is an excellent text. It is colorful, easy-to-read, informative, and has improved with every edition. It is co-written by my colleague Peter Castro, a fellow graduate of the University of Hawaii who is also a crustacean biologist. There is also an on-line learning center maintained by the textbook publisher, McGraw-Hill.Please consult the Biology 181 course syllabus for details on course assignments, grading, and other information.