The FSUCML offers college level courses for undergraduate (4000 level) and graduate (5000 level) students as well as non-credit workshops for students and natural resource professionals.  These courses rely on the pristine coastal and marine habitats of the region as living classrooms. Many of the undergraduate courses are designed to fill the requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Marine Biology, a program designed to train undergraduates to enter the work force or graduate school in a marine-related field.

Shuttle service between the Main Campus and the FSUCML is arranged through course instructors. 

• Biology of Fishes (4 h)
• Special Topics in Marine Invertebrate Biology (3 h)
• Research for Teachers: Inquiry in Marine Ecology (6 h)
• Advanced Compressed Air and Science Diving

BSC 4933-2, ST. Biology of Fishes (4 hrs) Prerequisites: BSC 2010/2010L, BSC 2011/BSC2011L

This course is designed to provide an overview of the systematics, morphology, ecology, behavior, physiology, and life history of the most diverse group of vertebrates on earth, the fishes. There will be a series of laboratory exercises balanced with a number of field trips to different habitats in the vicinity of the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory, ranging from freshwater springs to salt marshes, seagrass beds, and offshore reefs. The course will be structured to address conservation and management issues throughout. Students will have opportunities to get experience with a variety of field-oriented data collection methods. Experience with using SCUBA as a tool is optional for approved science divers. Contact: Dr. Chris Koenig Koenig@bio.fsu.edu

BSC 4933-2, ST.  Special Topics in Marine Invertebrate Biology (3 hrs) Prerequisites:  BSC 2010/2010L, BSC 2011/BSC 2011L

The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth examination of current topics in invertebrate zoology and modern methods of research.  Each week a different FSU faculty member will, through lectures, labs and field exercises, introduce a different conceptual topic along with a “hands on” application of how research is conducted in that area.  Topics include (1) species interactions, (2) reproductive ecology, (3) animal-sediment interactions, (4) behavioral ecology, (5) small scale flow biomechanics and (6) phylogenetics.  Contact: Dr. Don Levitan (levitan@bio.fsu.edu).  Department of Biological Science,

BSC 4934/BSC 5936 AAUS Scientific Diving: Methods for Scientists

Prerequisite: (1) Open water certification through a nationally recognized organization; (2) Ten logged dives past the open water certification; (3) Completed science diving packet of forms; (4). The consent of the instructor to take the course.

This course is designed to create AAUS qualified scientific divers who wish to participate in scientific diving opportunities here at FSU and abroad. The students will be exposed to a wide range of diving activities including but not limited to: Hydrographic survey using remote sensing equipment, Surface supplied diving, small boat dive operations, validating targets and underwater survey techniques. In addition to the diving skills the course will include instruction in seamanship and the use of advanced positioning and sounding equipment such as survey grade GPS, Radar, sub-bottom profiler and Side Scanning Sonar.  The course is demanding but will expose the students to the rigors and rewards of carrying out research in the ocean and the very specialized set of skills it takes to make it happen.  Included in course will be CPR, First Aid, O2 Administration, Hazmat, Nitrox, Rescue Diving, and an indoctrination to surface supplied diving. Diving schedules will be flexible, weather and equipment permitting. Additional fees for special dives may be required.  Contact:  Justina Dacey (jjd03c@fsu.edu).  FSU Coastal & Marine Lab.

ISC 5535 Research for Teachers – Inquiry in Marine Ecology (6 hrs).

This course provides a six-week, full-time, research experience for pre-service teachers to use and apply the scientific inquiry process in a marine environmental setting. The primary goal is to promote the practice of inquiry in K-12 science teaching and learning. Each student will engage in novel research in marine ecology and also develop a template for inquiry-based teaching through their concurrent experiences in research and reflective practice on what this means for the teaching of the process of science. The course is designed to immerse teachers in research and pedagogical reflection as they perform short-term, hands-on research in marine science that requires neither extensive expertise on their part nor complicated instrumentation. All course objectives are correlated to The National Science Education Standards and The Sunshine State Standards. Contact: Prof.. Bill Herrnkind (herrnkind@bio.fsu.edu) Department of Biological Science.

OCC5419c-1 (graduate), OCE4930-2 (Undergraduate). Biogeochemical Field Methods.

This course is intended to 1) teach students a hands-on approach for the elucidation/ quantification of environmental parameters and microbial processes that are important to the ecology of coastal marine environments, and 2) provide students with a tool-kit of relevant field and laboratory techniques which may be used in a variety of environmental settings. It is recommended for any natural or physical science student interested in obtaining experience with such methods in order to strengthen their thesis work or to increase their job possibilities. Students in the course are expected to have sufficient background in general biology, chemistry, and mathematics to be able to understand the lab book and do simple problems. Contact: Dr. Joel Kostka (jkostka@ocean.fsu.edu) Department of Oceanography.

Last modification: Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 01:21 PM