Zoo-Bot Program

For the Zoo-Bot Program, students participate in the following three required courses, plus optional Marine Sciences Seminar, for a total of 16 or 17 credits:

• Marine Zoology (FHL 430/Biol 430, 5 credits)
• Marine Botany (FHL 440/Biol 445, 5 credits)
• Research in Marine Biology (FHL 470, 6-credit Research Experience)
• (optional) Marine Sciences Seminar (FHL 490, 1 credit)

FHL 430/BIOL 430 AND FHL 440/BIOL 445: MARINE ZOOLOGY AND MARINE BOTANY

The Zoology and Botany courses survey marine invertebrates, algae and marine vascular plants represented in the San Juan Archipelago emphasizing and integrating these group’s natural history, ecology, and taxonomy. Frequent local intertidal field trips to a variety of habitats allow students to study organisms in their natural environments, and dredging collection trips permit exploration of subtidal systems. Lectures are followed by detailed laboratory study of live organisms often collected by the student. All students also perform organized outreach activities with local schools.

A 4-day camping field trip to the exposed rocky coast of Vancouver Island enables study of the organisms on wave-swept shores. Note: all students will need a passport or equivalent paperwork to allow travel into and back from Canada.

No textbooks are required for these courses.

FHL 470: RESEARCH IN MARINE BIOLOGY: “Biological Response to Changing Ocean Conditions”

Research in Marine Biology will enable students to engage in a practical research experience in close collaboration with supervisors.

Students will learn to conduct original research in marine biology and ecology in the context of changing ocean conditions. We’ll use local examples to illustrate hypothesis testing, experimental design, analysis and interpretation of data, and reporting. Research will be conducted in both laboratory and field settings. Practical aspects of the course will be supported by regular discussions of readings from scholarly journals, including those that focus on rapid environmental change in nearshore marine systems.

No textbook is required for this course. UW students earn “W’ credit.

Marine Zoology will be taught by Dr. Megan Dethier from the University of Washington Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories.

Marine Botany will be taught by Dr. Thomas Mumford from the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories.

Research in Marine Biology will be taught by Dr. Terrie Klinger from the University of Washington, Professor and Co-Director, Washington Ocean Acidification Center.