Course Descriptions
MARI 3003 Introduction to Field Oceanography
CREDIT HOURS: 3
See course description for
OCEA 3003.03 in the Oceanography section of the calendar.
MARI 3042 Molecular Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
We survey techniques of molecular genetic analysis and consider how they can be used to identify species, populations, sexes, individuals and family relationships, and study population attributes such as historical dispersal, contemporary connectivity, mating behaviour and effective population size. Evaluation is based on assignments, a test and a final exam.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: A grade of B- or better in each of
BIOL 2030.03 (or
GENE 2000.03),
BIOL 2040.03, and
BIOL 2060.03
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3042.03
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 4042.03
MARI 3063 Resource Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course considers the ecology, utilization, and management of natural resources in fisheries, wildlife and forest management, agriculture and aquaculture. Topics include population dynamics, community interactions, and ecosystem support of resources as well as the history of resource utilization, practices of controlling production, pests, and predators, and sustainable management strategies.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
TUTORIAL HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2060.03 (or
BIOA 3001.03),
MATH 1000.03 (or
MATH 1215.03 or SCIE 15xx),
STAT 1060.03 (or SCIE 15xx)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3063.03
MARI 3074 Physiology of Marine Animals, Part I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Animals in a marine environment are quite different from those found in air or fresh water, but the “physiological principles” are similar. This course deals with the same principles as
BIOL 3078, but emphasizes the special characteristics of marine animals and the techniques necessary to study them in laboratories. Note: Students must complete
MARI 3074.03 before
MARI 3076.03
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2003.03 and
BIOL 2020.03 (or BIOA 2001.03)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3078.03
MARI 3076 Physiology of Marine Animals Part II
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Animals in a marine environment are quite different from those found in air or fresh water, but the “physiological principles” are similar. This course deals with the same principles as
BIOL 3079, but emphasizes the special characteristics of marine animals and the techniques necessary to study them in laboratories.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
MARI 3074.03 OR
BIOL 3078.03
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3079.03
RESTRICTIONS:
BIOA 3005.03
MARI 3080 The Ecology and Evolution of Fishes
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The course examines selected topics on the ecology and evolution of marine and freshwater fishes. Topics include: phylogeny and systematics; functional morphology and physiology; population biology; life-history evolution; behavior; fisheries science; and conservation biology.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: A cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-) or better in
BIOL 2003.03,
BIOL 2040.03,
BIOL 2060.03 (or
BIOA 3001.03)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3080.03
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 3067.03, MARI 3067.03,
BIOL 5067.03
MARI 3090 Marine Mammalogy
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course examines the characteristics of marine mammals, the roles of marine mammals in oceanic ecosystems and general principles of marine mammal population biology. Students use information on the biology of marine mammals to explore conservation/management issues. They learn of these animals and explore how they interact with humans.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2060.03 or
BIOA 3001.03
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 4060.03,
MARI 4060.03
MARI 3101 Microbial Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Lectures on the ecology of bacteria, viruses, protists. Community structure, food web nutrient cycling, biogeochemical cycles, competition, succession and symbiosis are discussed with examples from marine, fresh-water and soil habitats. There is an emphasis on marine organisms.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2004.03 (or
MICI 2100.03) and
BIOL 2060.03 (or
BIOA 3001.03)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3101.03
MARI 3221 Diversity of Algae
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is a taxonomic introduction to the major algal groups (marcophytic and microscopic) with an emphasis on the marine seaweeds. Basic taxonomic differences are covered, along with an introduction to macrophyte ecology, human uses and symbioses. Laboratory sessions focus on morphology and reproduction.
NOTES: Also offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxiliary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times, and special registration procedures, see http://www.seaside.science.dal.ca
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2004.03 or equivalent
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3221.03
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 3212.03, MARI 3212.03
MARI 3301 Invertebrate Biology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A survey of the diversity, ecology and evolutionary history of the major invertebrate groups. Lectures will emphasize phylogenetics and diversity of body plans. Labs will emphasize identification and anatomy through dissections and observations.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2003.03
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3301.03
RESTRICTIONS: This course is restricted to MARI majors.
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 3321X/Y.06
MARI 3370 Comparative Animal Physiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Lecture course examining principles of animal physiology, with emphasis on the coordination of metabolism, neural and sensory function, muscular function, stress, and reproduction, all within the context of ecology and evolution.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2003.03,
BIOL 2020.03 (or BIOA 2001.03)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3370
EXCLUSIONS:
BIOL 3078,
BIOL 3079,
MARI 3074, MARI 3076
MARI 3371 Laboratory in Comparative Animal Physiology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This laboratory intensive course will provide opportunities for students to experience firsthand the role that experimentation, and data collection, interpretation, and communication plays in our understanding of how animals function. Vertebrate and invertebrate examples are used, in a comparative approach, to study a variety of physiological processes.
NOTES: Laboratory experiments involve live invertebrates and/or vertebrate tissues. Students are required to handle live invertebrates during the lab.
FORMAT:
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 1
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
TUTORIAL HOURS PER WEEK: 1
PREREQUISITES: BIOL 3078 or MARI 3074 or
BIOL 3370 or
MARI 3370; CHEM 1011 and CHEM 1012;
STAT 1060 or STAT 2060
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3371
EXCLUSIONS:
BIOL 3079,
MARI 3076
MARI 3602 Introduction to Aquaculture
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course offers an introductory overview of aquaculture, the culturing of aquatic plants and animals. The following topics are covered with both a Maritimes and global perspective: overview physico-chemistry of water, engineering, culture techniques, health, nutrition, genetics, environmental and socio-economic considerations.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2003.03
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 3600.03, MARI 3600.03
MARI 3603 Practical Aquaculture
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course provides students with aquaculture practical experience. The laboratories involve finfish, shellfish and live feed, and help students acquire skills useful for conducting experiments with aquatic animals (e.g. marking, measuring, anaesthesia, etc.). Students collect real data and learn to conduct exploratory graphical and statistical analyses.
FORMAT: Lab
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 3
COREQUISITES:
MARI 3602.03
PREREQUISITES:
STAT 1060.03 and
BIOL 2003.03
EXCLUSIONS: BIOL 3600.03, MARI 3600.03,
BIOL 5603
MARI 3604 Field Aquaculture
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Hands-on learning of aquaculture techniques through field trips to several aquaculture-related facilities (e.g. farms, hatcheries, research institutes, government offices) in the Maritimes and through laboratory exercises in water quality analysis, necropsies, fish processing, knots/rope handeling, and culturing of artemia, rotifers, microalgae and other species in the Aquatron's on-going research.
NOTES: Offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxillary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times and special registration procedures, see seaside.science.dal.ca. Not offered every year.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field intensive
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 5
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 40
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2003.03 or Instructor's approval.
MARI 3602.03 is recommended.
RESTRICTIONS: Restricted from students with fewer than 60 credit hours.
MARI 3623 Applied Coastal Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Coastal Ecology explores anthropogenic impacts on the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. Through field trips, laboratories and guest demonstrations, students examine ecosystem health, e.g. communities on rocky shores, salt marshes and sandy shores, and will learn basic experimental design, principles of environmental assessment and monitoring, and coastal habitat remediation.
NOTES: Offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxiliary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times and special registration procedures, see seaside.science.dal.ca
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field intensive
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2003.03 and
BIOL 2060.03 (or
BIOA 3001.03)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3623.03,
ENVS 3623.03
MARI 3626 Field Studies of Marine Mammals
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Hands-on introduction to research on marine mammals. Lectures provide an overview of marine mammal adaptations, evolution, population biology, social organization, conservation, and management. Labs include a necropsy and techniques of photographic identification of individuals. On a several-day camping trip, students observe marine mammals from whale-watch boats and conduct research projects.
NOTES: Offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxiliary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times and special registration procedures, see seaside.science.dal.ca.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field intensive
PREREQUISITES: BI0L 2060.03 (or
BIOA 3001.03), and
BIOL 3062.03 (or
BIOL 3630.03 or
PSYO 2160.03), and
STAT 1060.03 (or equivalent)
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3626.03
MARI 3627 Biology and Conservation of Sharks, Skates and Rays
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course offers a combination of lectures, labs, and field trips that explore the elementals of elasmobranches (shark, skate and ray) biology and conservation. Students are introduced to current methods used in shark research, such as tagging, and learn about the role of sharks in ecosystems.
NOTES: Offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxiliary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times and special registration procedures, see seaside.science.dal.ca
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field trips
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2060.03 (or
BIOA 3001.03) and
BIOL 2003.03
MARI 3628 Marine Ornithology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Overview of the biology of birds in marine environments. Seabird ecology, evolution, adaptations, identification, and natural history. Tools and techniques for studying their behaviour, diet, and populations in the field. Lectures, exercises, and a week-long field trip to Maritime seabird breeding colonies. Student team and independent research projects and presentations.
NOTES: Offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxiliary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times and special registration procedures, see: seaside.science.dal.ca.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field-Intensive
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 1010 or
BIOL 1020 or equivalent, and
BIOL 1011 or
BIOL 1021 or equivalent, or SCIE 15XX, one of
BIOL 2003 or
BIOL 2004, and
BIOL 2060, or instructor's permission. Knowledge of statistics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and familiarity with Excel spreadsheets are helpful, but not required, for research projects.
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3628.03
MARI 3632 Applied Field Methods in Fish Ecology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Practical experience conducting field research on fishes with field trips to streams and shallow water marine/freshwater habitats. Techniques include collecting fish, designing and conducting surveys, studying behaviour, measuring phenotypic variability, quantifying temporal and spatial variation, planning for statistical analysis, and weighing tradeoffs between data quality, quantity, costs and ethical/environmental considerations.
NOTES: Offered in summer through SEASIDE. An auxiliary fee is charged to cover field expenses. For dates, times and special registration procedures, see seaside.science.dal.ca.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: Field intensive.
PREREQUISITES:
BIOL 2060.03 or
BIOL 2003.03 or
BIOA 3001.03 and
STAT 1060.03 or their equivalents or permission of instructor.
STAT 2080 is recommended.
CROSS-LISTING:
BIOL 3632.03,
ENVS 3632.03