SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS

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1 SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS Voyage: Summer 2013 Discipline: Biology BIOL Marine Conservation Biology Proposed Division: Upper Faculty Name: Sal Genovese Pre-requisites: Introductory Biology COURSE DESCRIPTION After presenting an overview of the core human-induced drivers of environmental change affecting marine ecosystems, and a broad survey of the marine life impacted by this degradation, this course will examine the major environmental issues facing marine ecosystems worldwide, and will use specific case studies from the Mediterranean Sea to illustrate these topics, among which include: coastal development, marine pollution, invasive species, overfishing, marine protected areas, climate change, and ocean acidification. COURSE OBJECTIVES This course will examine of marine conservation biology from two major viewpoints: the organisms being impacted, and the anthropogenic stressors these organisms face. After presenting the social, political, and scientific landscape in which these issues can be considered, an overview of the oceanographic setting will provide the environmental context for this course. A survey of marine life will focus on features of population biology and trophic ecology, and will culminate with a discussion of the importance in preserving marine biodiversity and biomass. Students will examine the various human-induced stressors on marine organisms, combining lecture material with locally relevant readings from the primary literature. As we travel through the Mediterranean Sea students will identify issues of local importance in a comparative manner designed to identify successful practices. The ultimate goal of this course is to encourage students to become life-long advocates for the preservation of marine biodiversity and biomass in the face of increasing anthropogenic impacts. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AUTHOR: Abel and McConnell TITLE: Environmental Oceanography: Topics and Analysis PUBLISHER: Jones & Bartlett Learning ISBN #: ISBN-13: DATE/EDITION:

2 TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE Date Topic / Activity Reading June 17: June 18: Depart Southampton Orientation C1- June 19: Course Introduction, The Scientific Method, Chapter 1, 2 and Principles of Critical Thinking C2- June 20: Facts, Opinions, Logical Fallacies Chapter 3, 4 The Role of Government, The Role of Scientists C3- June 21: The Oceanographic Setting Chapter 5. 6 Toward Sustainable Oceans C4- June 22: Essentials of Marine Ecology Chapter 7 Population Biology Primer June 23-26: Casablanca C5- June 27: Casablanca Debriefing Assigned chapters Survey of Marine Organisms, Part I on reserve C6- June 28: Survey of Marine Organisms, Part II Assigned chapters on reserve C7-June 29: Biodiversity and Biomass Loss in Marine 1 Literature Ecosystems, and its Impact on Humanity June 30: No Class C8- July 1: Exam 1 C9- July 2: Human Population Growth and POC: Coastal Sprawl Coastal Sprawl Issues 1-3 July 3-5: Antalya C10- July 6: Antalya Field Lab Debriefing POC: Marine Pollution 2

3 Marine Pollution Overview Part 5: Issues 8, 9 C11- July 7: Marine Pollution Case Studies Part 5: Issues 10, 11 July 8-11: Istanbul C12- July 12: Istanbul Debriefing POC: Invasive Species Invasive Species C13- July 13: Invasive Species Case Studies Part 9: Issue 23 July 14-17: Piraeus C14- July 18: Pireaus debriefing POC: Ecological effects Ecological Effects of Fishing of Fishing Report C15- July 19: Managing Marine Fisheries Part 8: Issues C16- July 20: Exam 2 July 21-26: Livorno and Civitavecchia C17- July 27: Livorno and Civitavecchia debriefing POC: Aquaculture Aquaculture's promise and problems C18- July 28: Aquaculture Case Studies Part 8: Issue 21 July 29-31: Malta C19- August 1: Malta Debriefing POC: MPA report Marine Protected Areas Theory Part 7: Issue 16, 17 C20- August 2: Marine Protected Area Case Studies 1 Literature August 3-8: Marseille and Barcelona C21- August 9: Global Climate Change and the Oceans Part 4: Issue 4, 5 C22-August 10: Ocean Acidification: Part 4: Issue 6, 7 Climate Change's Equally Devastating Twin 3

4 August 11-16: C23-August 17: August 18: C24-August 19: August 20: August 21: August 22: Cadiz and Lisbon Synthesis - Our Future Oceans Study Day Final Exam Reflection Convocation/Packing Southampton FIELD WORK Field lab attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Please do not book individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of our field lab. Field Lab Location: Antalya Tentative Date: Wednesday July 3 Our field lab on Antalya will encompass visits to as many as 4 separate locations: 1) The Antalya Aquarium to survey the organisms with special attention to life history strategies, trophic level, status and threats to population health 2) A local fish market to survey organisms for the same parameters listed above (#1), plus any information that can be gathered on sourcing (wild vs. farmed, local vs. distant) 3) The fishing port to survey the local fishing fleet to determine the species fished, and the gear types employed. 4) The local waste-treatment plant to understand how sewage and runoff are transferred to the marine environment 5) Snorkeling in a near-shore beach habitat to survey and assess the health of the benthic community. Field Assignments Based on guidelines distributed in advance and the day s itinerary, students will be evaluated on: 1) A journal description of the day s events. 2) The species survey from the Antalya Aquarium. 3) The fishing port survey of species fished, gear types employed and sustainability of methods. 4) A written overview of wastewater and runoff treatment in Antalya 5) A written synopsis of the local benthic communities. 4

5 METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC Grading: Exams (2) 40% Field Lab Assignment 20% Port of Call Journal 20% Final Exam 20% Grading Scheme: Based on cumulative percentage of points earned, your final grade will be as follows: A+ (97+), A (93-96); A- (89-92); B+ (85-88); B (81-84); B- (77-80); C+ (73-76); C (69-72); C- (65-68); D (60-65); F (< 60) RESERVE LIBRARY LIST T.B.D. ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS Pew Oceans Commission Reports (10 Available) See: Additional reprints from the primary literature will be determined. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES T.B.D. HONOR CODE Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager s Handbook for further explanation of what constitutes an honor offense. Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: On my honor as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment. The pledge must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed [signed]. 5