Marine Biology
COURSE SYLLABUS
Ms. Sawicki
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Marine Science Program at Greer Middle
College Charter High School is to: guide students toward scientific
literacy; promote exploration of scientific processes through active
participation; provide appropriate curriculum; and stimulate the
curiosity of all students. It is imperative that we achieve this goal so
that every student can become a responsible citizen in our
technological society and become a knowledgeable steward of life on
Earth.
Laboratory:
GMC is an exciting opportunity for students to excel
at the high school level. GMC is in the growing stages of its
development so in an effort to make your experience more hands-on
and meaningful we need acquire lab materials. Therefore, there will
be a laboratory fee of $15.00 per student to purchase lab
supplies (mainly specimen). Please have the money turned in by
August 20th. Any additional donations to make this course more
meaningful would be greatly appreciated.
Outline of Course:
 Intro to Marine + Review of Biology
a.
b.
c.
Lab Safety
Equipment Identity
Biology Review – Basic Concepts from each Unit
i. Cell
ii. Genetics
iii. Ecology
iv. Evolution
 History of the Ocean and Technology
a.
Diving Devices and Submersible Research Project
 The Water Planet
a. The water world
b. Geology of the Ocean
c. Climate and the Ocean
 Energy in the Ocean
a.
b.
c.
Temperature and Pressure
Light and Sound in the Sea
Tides, Waves, and Currents
 Invertebrates
a.
Part 1:
i. Invertebrate characteristics
1
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
ii. Porifera – ie Sponges
iii. Cnidarians – ie Jellies and Sea Anemones
1. Video – “Killer Jellies”
2. Sea Anemone Dissection
Part 2: Worms
i. Platyhelminthes – Flatworms
ii. Nematodes – Roundworms
1. Worm Disease Research Project
iii. Annelids – Segmented Worms
1. Earthworm Dissection
Part 3: Molluscs
i. Gastropods
ii. Bivalves
1. Clam Dissection
iii. Cephalopods
1. Squid Dissection
Arthropods
i. Crab Dissection
Echinoderms
i. Sea star Dissection
ii. Sea Urchin Dissection
Chordates without a back
i. Tunicates
 Vertebrates
a.
Part 1:
i. Vertebrate characteristics
ii. Fishes
1. Jawless Fishes
a. Lamprey Dissection
2. Cartilaginous Fishes
a. Dogfish (Shark) Dissection
b. Skate Dissection
3. Bony Fishes
a. Perch Dissection
b. Beta Fish Lab?
b. Part 2:
i. Amphibians
1. Mudpuppy Dissection
2. Cane Toad Video
ii. Marine Reptiles
iii. Marine Birds
c. Part 3:
i. Marine Mammals
1. Pig Dissection
 Marine Ecosystems
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
General Ecology
i. Symbiotic Relationships
1. Secrets of the Ocean Realm Vol 1
Between the Tides
Estuaries
Continental Shelf
Coral Reefs
2
 Humans and the Sea
a.
Resources from the Sea
b. Human impact on Marine Environment
c. Pollution in the ocean
d. Conservation of Resources
(This outline is only a brief overview and is therefore subject to change at
teacher’s discretion)
Grading:
Tests + Lab Practical(s) ------------------ 30%
Laboratories ------------------------------- 20%
Daily Grade(ie Quizzes, EQs, etc) ------- 15%
Projects ------------------------------------ 15%
Homework --------------------------------- 15%
Article Summaries ------------------------ _5%
100%

THERE WILL BE A MIDTERM AND FINAL (FINAL FOR
NONSENIORS) EXAM THAT WILL EACH COUNT AS 10% OF
STUDENT’S FINAL GRADE

Assignment Turn-In Policy:
Assignments are to be turned in on the date in which they are due.
Students may turn in a major assignment the following day for a loss of
10% for each day it is late weekends count as 2 days. Minor assignments
such as homework and classwork will not be accepted late.
Absences/Make-up Work:




If you are absent from class for any reason the assignments you
missed are do the following day.
If an assignment was due on the day you were absent you must
turn that assignment in on the day that you return to class.
It is YOUR responsibility to get any work that you missed
including notes, homework, rubrics, etc. This may mean copying
missed notes from a friend/classmate. Students will be
accountable for all information covered in class.
If you are unfortunate enough to miss a test, you have 1 week to
make that test up or you will receive a zero for that test. IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOU SCHEDULE A TIME TO
MAKE UP YOUR TEST!!! YOU MUST COME ON YOUR OWN TIME, IN
OTHER WORDS CLASS TIME WILL NOT BE ALLOCATED FOR MAKEUP TESTS.
3
4