Course Description
An overview of topics and issues involved in the empirical study, conservation, and management of a broad range of marine mammal species.
Athena Title
Marine Mammals
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught as a regular lecture format course every spring and will have a required lab component (Marine Mammals Laboratory) when it is taught every May.
Prerequisite
BIOL 1104 or (BIOL 1108 and 1108L) or (BIOL 2108H and 2108L)
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
• Understand the unique physiological and anatomical adaptations that enable marine mammals to survive in the world’s oceans. • Understand the ecology of marine mammals, especially reproductive strategies, population dynamics, and social organization. • Have a general knowledge of the evolution and life history of selected marine mammal species. • Understand the impact of human activities on marine mammals. • Enhance persuasive writing skills through development of required course paper. • Enhance critical thinking and public speaking/teaching skills through preparation and presentation of debate arguments. • Become intelligent consumers of information on marine mammals.
Topical Outline
• Origin/evolution of marine mammals • Marine mammal anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on adaptations to the marine environment • Life history • Cognition, intelligence, and communication • Environmental threats to marine mammals • Marine mammal health, especially emerging diseases • Ecology and population biology • Behavior: social, reproductive, feeding, and culture • Law, public policy, and the politics of human/marine mammal interaction • Husbandry: captive management, public display, research, and rescue/rehabilitation • Effects of human activities on marine mammals • Conservation – stock assessment, take reduction, and recovery plans • Careers in marine mammal science
Syllabus