Marine Biology Access

Welcome to the Marine Biology Access page. The Marine Biology program is part of the Environmental Science department at Alaska Pacific University

Faculty in Marine Biology

• David Scheel, Marine Biology
  • APU Faculty Bio
  • Home page
  • Giant Octopus (Octopus dofleini)
  • Killer Whales of Prince William Sound
• Leslie A. Cornick, Marine Biology & Statistics.
  • APU Faculty Bio
  • Home page
• New faculty position in Marine Ecology, Will offer some of our core introductory courses and exciting new areas of marine research.
• Ann Harding, Research Associate, Seabird ecology.
• Rusty Myers, Environmental Science Department, (Oceanography, Physics, Chemistry)

Program Resources

[ Marine Biology Program: Home | Projects | Opportunities | Facilities | Degree | Field | Sponsors ]

Marine Biology Courses

• SCUBA Diving MAR 110 [Fall sessions every year, 2 cr.]
  Introduces skills for open water snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Emphasizes selection and use of specialized equipment, hyperbaric theory, proper planning, diving rescue skills, use of recreational dive tables, and first-aid specific to the activity. Heavy emphasis placed on hazard assessment and safety issues. Course meets Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) standards. Certification fees are not included in course fees. Students will need to pay a dive-equipment fee; those wishing certification may also need to rent or purchase additional gear for practical sessions. Prerequisites: Swim four laps continuously (any style, no time limit). Tread water for 10 minutes.

• Advanced Open Water SCUBA Diving MAR 115 [Spring sessions every year, 2 cr.]
  Continued development of skills for open water SCUBA diving. Emphasizes dive planning, risk recognition & management, selection and use of specialized equipment and protective gear, hyperbaric theory, use of recreational dive tables, and diving technique. Course meets Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) standards for Advanced Open Water diving. Fee required. Certification fees are not included in course fees. Students must provide their own dive gear including dry suit. Classroom, pool and open water sessions. Prerequisite: Open water certification (MAR 110).

• Aquarium Biology MAR 210 [Fall Session every year with lab. 4 cr.]
  Fundamentals of aquarium science for the hobbyist or professional. Topics include basic lab techniques, chemistry of seawater, cell function and biological filtration, aquarium design, engineering, theory and practice, and care and culture of marine life. Laboratory work includes water quality monitoring, care and maintenance of cold-water and tropical systems and organisms, and an aquarium systems project. Lab included. Lab fee required. Satisfies laboratory science GUR.

• Invertebrate Zoology MAR 215/315 [Spring Session alternate years starting S2009, 4 cr. with lab]
  (Also offered at a 300-level: Invertebrate Zoology & Care in Captivity) A survey of invertebrate animal diversity and functional biology in the classroom and laboratory. Animal phyla are examined with respect to anatomy, systematics and evolutionary relationships, geographic distribution, ecology, and behavior. The theory and practice of captive marine invertebrate care and management are introduced. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: SC 140, SC 160 or SC 205 (and MT 220 at the 300-level).

• Marine Field Work MAR 224 [Fall, AND Spring or summer Blocks every year 4 cr.]
  This course, a companion course to Survey of Marine Biology, focuses on the handling of marine biological scientific records and data, from study planning and design through field work to database entry and descriptive analyses. These objectives are met through field and lab studies in which students collect, organize and report on their own data. Topics include marine biota & taxonomy, marine field methods (for example, specimen collection, identification and preservation, transect & quadrat sampling, animal tracking, laboratory techniques, live animal handling, diversity measurments, photographic sampling), record keeping, data types, database organization and analyses, and data presentation (graphical techniques, preparing a poster, talk or report). Includes required overnight field trip or travel. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: SC 160.

• Survey of Marine Biology MAR 225 [Fall Session every year, no lab. 4 cr.]
  A survey of the science of marine biology, providing an introduction to coastal and ocean biota and their relationships to the marine environment. Emphasis is placed on the structure and function of North Pacific systems, particularly those related to Alaska. Topics include natural history, ecology and diversity of marine life and habitats, factors regulating productivity, and world-wide threats to marine environments. Prerequisite: SC 160.

• Seabirds & Marine Mammals MAR 235/335 [Spring session alternate years starting S2009, no lab. 4 cr.]
  Designed to familiarize students with the biology and natural history of seabirds and marine mammals. Emphasis is placed on fauna of the eastern North Pacific, but species from all over the world will be discussed. Topics to be considered include ecology, evolution, anatomy, behavior, identification, and historical and contemporary conservation problems. No lab. Prerequisite: MAR 225 for advanced level.

• Rescue Diving MAR 240 [Spring sessions alternate years beginning S2008, 2 cr.]
  Continued development of skills for open water SCUBA diving. Emphasizes dive planning, risk recognition & management, selection and use of specialized equipment and protective gear, hyperbaric theory, use of recreational dive tables, and diving technique. Course meets Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) standards for Rescue Water Diving. Fee required. Certification fees are not included in course fees. Students must provide their own dive gear including dry suit. Classroom, pool and open water sessions. Prerequisites: Advanced Open water certification (MAR 115), CPR & First Aid.

• Ichthyology MAR 320 [Fall block every year, 4 cr.]
  A field-oriented block course designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the biology of the major groups of fishes. Emphasis is placed on fauna of the Eastern North Pacific, but taxonomic groups from all over the world will be considered. Topics include evolution, taxonomy, behavior, anatomy and physiology, field identification, ecology, and fisheries conservation. Lab included. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: MAR 225.

• Ecological Physiology of Marine Organisms MAR 325 [Spring sessions alternate years starting S2008, 4 cr.]
  An in-depth examination of the major physiological adaptations of marine organisms, including thermoregulation, respiration, circulation, water balance, acid-base balance, metabolism and energetics. Emphasis will be placed on how organisms are adapted to optimize physiological function under a variety of environmental conditions. Laboratory techniques for experimental and environmental physiology will be covered in detail. Prerequisite: SC 160, SC 170 or permission of instructor.

• Human Impacts in Marine Systems MAR 330/ES 650 [Fall Session every year, no lab. 4 cr.]
  This course introduces the physical processes that drive marine productivity and the major human impacts on these systems (overfishing, climate change, invasive species, pollution, disturbance, and coastal zone development) at local, regional, national and international scales. Students learn the current state of impacts through readings of the scientific literature and public policy documents (e.g., Pew Commission report on the world's oceans), are updated on current mitigation, management, conservation and policy actions from local experts working in the field and examine the challenges of balancing ecological impacts with economic impacts and conflicts among stakeholders and policymakers through the completion of an in-depth dilemma based case study. Prerequisites: MAR 224 and Mar 225.

• Scientific Diving MAR 340/ES 628 [May Block alternate years starting S2009, with lab. 4 cr.]
  Meets requirements for Scientific Diver under the guidelines of Alaska Pacific University and the Association for Advancement of Underwater Science. Topics may include data gathering techniques, collecting, common biota, behavior, installation of scientific apparatus, site location and relocation, organism identification, ecology, tagging, photography, scientific dive planning, appropriate governmental regulations, AAUS scientific diving regulations, research vessel diving, aquarium diving, and animal handling. A heavy emphasis is placed on dive safety while conducting scientific work underwater. Lab included. Lab fee required. Additional costs for travel are required of the student. Students provide their own SCUBA gear (required). First aid certification and open-water dive certification required before a student's first dive. Prerequisites: MAR240 and MAR 224, and MAR 215 or MAR 315; or OS 200 and OS 205.

• Oceanography SC 350 [with lab. 4 cr]
  The geological, physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence the marine environment. Study of marine resources and the role of the oceans to provide for global sustainabilty. Course conducted outside of Alaska during winter block. Travel fees required. Prerequisite: One laboratory science course. Co-taught Jan 2002 with Coral Reef Ecology.

• Coral Reef Ecology MAR 410 [Next offering date to be determined]
  A field-oriented block course that examines the ecology of coral reefs and associated organisms, including reef building organisms, organisms that live on or in the reef, and reef ecosystems. Topics include coral taxonomy, reproduction, morphology and ecology, reef structure and zonation, coral identification, symbionts on reefs, and coral reef ecosystems. Students will spend substantial time in or on the water snorkeling. No SCUBA certification required. Lab included. Lab fee required, as well as additional costs for travel to and within the tropics. Prerequisites: MAR 225 and SC 330.

• Coastal Ecosystems MAR 420/ ES640 [Spring sessions, 4 cr.]
  Selected Topics: So. CA Bight, Gulf of AK, Bimini, Bahamas, Hawaii, Galapagos
  A field-oriented block course that explores the physical and biological characteristics and processes of coastal ecosystems. Focus will be on understanding the influence of bathymetry, climate and currents on primary productivity and community composition and diversity. Land-ocean interfaces and human dimensions will also be examined, including marsh and estuarine dynamics and coastal development, land use and conservation. May require international travel (passport, inoculations required) and exposure to harsh weather and rugged conditions. Travel costs are expected to range between $1000 and $2000. Prerequisites: MAR 330 and SC 330 or equivalent.

• Seminar (Topics in Marine Biology) MAR 490 [Every year. Alternate years starting S2008 with Prof. Scheel; Alternate years starting F2008 with our new faculty member in Marine Biology, no lab. 4 cr.]
  Small groups which meet with faculty members for in-depth study and discussion of particular topics, for example Top-down Control of Marine Populations, Cephalopod Biology & Ecology, Ecology of Modular Organisms, or Marine Research Methods. Appropriate course descriptions are published as seminars are offered; student-initiated topics welcome (also available as MAR 190, 290, 390 and for variable credits).
  Please let Prof. Scheel know if you are interested in enrolling in this course .

• Graduate Courses
  See above cross-listed course with numbers ES6xx.

dscheel@alaskapacific.edu

David Scheel, Professor of Marine Biology, Environmental Science Department, Alaska Pacific University *Complete address