BI 103D - General Biology: Sea Birds and Mammals

4 Credit(s)

Students learn unique anatomical and physiological adaptations of marine birds and mammals to understand evolutionary processes, ecological interactions, and human impact on populations. Includes a field trip to the coast.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply scientific inquiry to biological sciences
2. Describe the steps involved in scientific inquiry and distinguish between a hypothesis and a theory
3. Evaluate and critique scientific information from various sources (journals, magazines, newspapers, television, the internet) for scientific reliability and validity
4. Discuss the Theory of Evolution and defend hypothetical ancestry of marine mammals and sea birds. Describe evolutionary history and supporting evidence, including homologies, evo-devo arguments, and adaptive radiation
5. Evaluate how selective advantages enhanced the evolution of that species
6. Describe natural selection and speciation and be able to describe the evolution of a novel trait/species
7. Describe the taxonomy and classification of various groups of organisms and recent advances in sea bird and mammal cladistics
8. Interpret population dynamic graphs to determine the validity of growth and decline arguments
9. Describe the roles of organisms in populations, communities, and ecosystems
10. Diagram the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems
11. Apply in class terminology and knowledge to an outdoor setting
12. Relate patterns of population growth and climate change to ecosystem dynamics
13. Define sustainable resources use and describe how humans in ecosystems have caused species to become endangered

Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)