BIOL 320 - Deep-Sea Biology And Ecology

Units: 3
Three hours lecture per week
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 200
Overview of the diversity and complexity of deep-sea life and ecology. Starting from the photic zone and working down to the abyss, topics will include food webs, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, and adaptations to low-light, high-pressure, extreme environments. Ecosystems reviewed will include open ocean, continental shelves, deep benthic communities, hydrothermal vents and seeps, whale-falls, and more. Additional topics include the history, technology and exploration of the deep-sea, as well as conservation and anthropogenic interactions such as deep-sea fishing and hydrothermal vent mining.
Graded: Letter Grade