Marine Zoology (FHL 430/BIOL 430, 5 credits) & Marine Botany (FHL 440/BIOL 445, 5 credits)

Instructors: Dr. Megan Dethier and Dr. Tom Mumford

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 field trip to an exposed rocky coast enables study of the organisms on wave-swept shores. Note: if conditions in 2023 allow us to travel to Canada, all students will need a passport or equivalent paperwork.

No textbooks are required for these courses.

Research in Marine Biology (FHL 470, 6 credits)

Instructor: Dr. Sophie George

Temperatures are expected to rise by between 2.9 and 3.4°C on rocky shores and 2.3–3.0°C on sandy shores in the Pacific Northwest by 2100. Students will learn to conduct original research in marine biology and ecology in the context of these changing environmental conditions. We’ll use local examples to determine how the vulnerable stages of marine organisms will cope with rising temperatures to illustrate hypothesis testing and experimental design, analyze and interpret data, and write up and present our findings. 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. Students will learn some basic skills in ImageJ and R to analyze data collected.

No textbook is required for this course. UW students earn (W) credit. Marine Biology majors earn a Integrative Field Experience (IFE) credit. 

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.