MARN 4400 - Tropical Marine Ecology

Prerequisites: BIOL 2250 , BIOL 3320 , MARN 2260 , MARN 3310 , and permission of instructors. This course provides students with a hands-on, experiential opportunity to learn about and explore the complex and diverse organisms and ecosystems found in tropical coastal regions. Students will study preparatory materials before participating in an intensive field experience in the tropics and will submit a final research paper based on data collected in the field after returning home. Students will explore reefs, mangroves, sea grass meadows, hard bottom and sand flat communities by snorkeling, before engaging in a group research project with faculty guidance. Details available from course instructors. 4 credits