For the AMS Program, students participate in 3 of the 4 listed required courses, plus optional Marine Sciences Seminar, for a total of 15 to 17 credits:

• Marine Mammals of the Salish Sea (FHL 375, 5 credits)
• Research in Marine Biology (FHL/MARBIO 470, 6 credits)
• Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Marine Organisms (FHL/BIOL 471, 5 credits)
• Behavioral Ecology of Marine Invertebrates (FHL 495, 5 credits)
• (optional) Marine Sciences Seminar (FHL 490, 1 credit)

Prerequisites: This is an upper-level program and it is assumed that all students have a solid background in introductory biology (e.g. either FISH 270/OCEAN 270/MARBIO 270 or a minimum grade of 3.4 in either BIOL 180, B BIO 180, or T BIOL 120). Successful completion of Foundations in Ecology (Biol 356) and Marine Biology (Biol 250) is recommended.

Marine Mammals of the Salish Sea (FHL 375, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Deborah Giles, Whale Researcher at the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology & Science and Research Director at Wild Orca.

The Salish Sea provides the ideal backdrop to study marine mammals. This course will provide students new to the biological sciences an opportunity to learn about the wide variety of marine mammals found here and the ecosystems that support them. This course focuses on the biology and conservation of marine mammals and their habitats and the key processes that created them. Discussions will include various topics of marine mammal science and conservation including: taxonomy, morphology including adaptations for marine realm, behavior (feeding strategies, social interactions, reproduction, etc.), habitat use and range, acoustics, anthropogenic impacts, and management of threatened or endangered animals. Students will be taught how to collect marine mammal data such as behavior and population estimates, and may also participate in necropsies. There will be several field trips, both land based and boat based, focused on observing marine mammals in their natural habitats. Students should be prepared to conduct field observations in inclement weather.

Suggested Prerequisites: BIOL 180, FISH 250, ENVIR 100, OCEAN 101, or OCEAN 200

UW marine biology majors enrolled in this course will Biodiversity elective credit.

Research in Marine Biology (FHL 470, 6 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Marjorie Wonham, associate teaching professor at the University of Washington

In this course, you will get a hands-on introduction to doing science in marine biological systems. You will work in small groups to develop interesting questions and design and conduct research projects in close collaboration with a supervisor. These projects will connect big-picture questions to the local marine habitats and organisms of the Salish Sea. To help make those connections, we will use class activities, workshops, and discussions to hone your curiosity and wonder, your research prowess, and your professional capacities. You can expect to develop skills in quantitative data visualization and analysis, visual, oral and written communication, and team collaboration.

Suggested prerequisites: Any three 300-level courses.

No textbook is required for this course.

UW students earn “W’ credit.

UW marine biology majors enrolled in this course will earn integrative field experience (IFE) credit.

UW students taking this course are eligible to obtain Mary Gates Endowment scholarships. Check our financial aid page to learn more.

Comparative Anatomy & Physiology of Marine Organisms (FHL 471, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Adam Summers

In this course, you will learn about the challenges and opportunities presented by the marine environment, with a focus on the relationship between organismal form and physiological function in marine animals (invertebrates as well as vertebrates) and plants. You will get hands-on experience testing anatomical and physiological phenomena you hear about in lecture, with labs covering numerous techniques including physiology experiments, testing of biomechanical properties, and CT scanning.

No textbook required.

UW marine biology majors enrolled in this course will earn Organismal Processes elective credit

Behavioral Ecology of Marine Invertebrates (FHL 495, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Marjorie Wonham, associate teaching professor at the University of Washington

Behavioral ecology of marine invertebrates investigates the world of interactions between marine invertebrates and each other and their environment, through field and lab-based studies. The unique sensory, biomechanical, life history, and lifestyle features of marine invertebrate interactions offer a rich array of divergence and convergence to explore. These include adaptations to gravity and drag, camouflage, defense, and reproduction; interactions such as consumption, predation, competition, cannibalism, mutualism, and parasitism; direct and indirect effects; ontological niche shifts; migrations; and the relationship between ecological and evolutionary scales of interaction. We will observe and study behavioral optimization in creatures from sessile sponges and anemones to mobile urchins and crabs to larval and adult planktonic forms. Invertebrates represent the dominant biodiversity of the oceans, and understanding their behaviour contributes to scientifically-sound conservation, fisheries, and habitat management.

UW marine biology majors enrolled in this course will earn either Integrative field experience or Ecology and Ecosystems Elective {can only fulfill one requirement}

UW students taking this course are eligible to obtain Mary Gates Endowment scholarships. Check our financial aid page to learn more.

Marine Sciences Seminar (FHL 490, 1 credit)

There will be one lecture per week by research scientists. The topics will cover different fields of research. Participation is obligatory for registered students wanting to gain credits, but all students are encouraged to attend. No textbook required.