Introductory Biology (BIOL 180, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Alli Cramer, researcher at Friday Harbor Labs

Course topics include Mendelian genetics, evolution, biodiversity of life forms, ecology, and conservation biology. Open to all students interested in biology whether intending to major in the biological sciences or enroll in preprofessional programs.

Textbook required: Freeman’s Biological Science, and the 5th, 6th, or 7th editions are all acceptable.

Notes for UW students:

• This course fulfills a Natural World requirement.

• This course fulfills a core requirement of the Marine Biology major.

• BIOL 180 is the first course in a three-quarter series: BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220.

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.

Marine Ecology of the Salish Sea (FHL 420, 5 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Emily Carrington, professor at the University of Washington

Photo credit: Genevieve Kent

This is a field-oriented study of the ecology of the Salish Sea. We will investigate the ecology of a wide variety of ecosystems found in the Salish Sea through the study of geomorphology, oceanography, distributions of marine plants, animals and other life forms and the unique habitats that support them. Students will relate ecological concepts about the structure and function of coastal ecosystems learned in lecture to first-hand observations. Students will engage in several field trips focused on observing ecological patterns of dominant organisms in different ecosystems found throughout the Salish Sea; laboratory activities will examine the various life history strategies of representative marine species, illustrating how different stages of an organism’s life cycle change over time, can span different biomes, and are influenced by interactions with the environment and other species. Both laboratory and field exercises will emphasize observational rather than experimental methods and use descriptive and quantitative techniques to explore how coastal ecosystems change over time and location, a core concept in marine ecology.

Research in Novel Marine Ecosystems (FHL 350/450, 6 credits)

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

In Novel Marine Ecosystems students will study emerging coastal ecosystems resulting from species deletions and additions in the Anthropocene. We will ask why these new ecosystems are forming, how ecological theory does and does not help us understand their dynamics, and what the future holds for these critical socio-ecological systems. Students will design and conduct and report on field and lab studies to characterize the changing nature of local marine assemblages. Readings and discussions will be based on peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. No textbook is required for this course.

UW students enrolled in this course will earn (W) credit.

UW marine biology majors enrolled in the 400 level of this course will earn integrative field experience (IFE) credit.

UW students with a GPA of 3.0+ and are enrolled in FHL 450 are eligible to apply to the Mary Gates Endowment for FHL

Marine Sciences Seminar (FHL 490, 1 credit)

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

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.