TENTATIVE COURSE SYLLABUS

! TENTATIVE COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE TITLE: COURSE NUMBER: Tropical Marine Ecology BSC 1254 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course for non-science majors, utilizing basic scientific methodology in understanding the interrelationships between various marine tropical communities. Topics include the Geology of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, marine flora and fauna - their physical, chemical and biological aspects, subtropical and tropical coastal, estuarine and intertidal communities, tropical nearshore communities - mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems, and biodiversity of the marine environment. Students study the adaptation of marine life in surface waters and in the deep ocean, the affects of ocean pollution and conservation of tropical marine ecosystems. PREREQUISITES: None. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Dr. Sabine Alshuth Office: D-221A - Mueller Campus Phone: 772-226-2556 Email: salshuth@irsc.edu My Faculty Website - click here Office hours posted on instructor s website (incl. virtual office hours) REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Tropical Marine Ecology by S. Alshuth. e-book 2014 edition posted online. Internet: Online Website links for assigned studies. All my course information is posted on Blackboard LMS at www.irsc.edu (e-learners). 1 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth

*TENTATIVE ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE: Week Lecture & Assignment Topics Chapter/Website Study 1 Introduction to Tropical Marine Ecology BB 2 QUIZ EXAM & Geologic History of the Atlantic and FL Keys 1 3 Concepts of Marine Ecology & Marine Invasion 2 & BB/WS1 4 Biogeography 3 5 EXAM 1 & Biodiversity of Marine Ecosystems 4 6 Coral Reef Ecology 5 7 Nearshore Communities 6 8 Mangrove Communities & Research 7 & BB/WS2 9 EXAM 2 & Rocky Intertidal 8 10 Coastal Wetlands & Tropical Marine Drift Seeds 9 & BB/WS3 11 Beach and Dune Communities & Ecology of Life Histories 10 & 11 12 SPRING BREAK 13 EXAM 3 & Open-Ocean Epipelagic System 12 14 Pelagic and Benthic Systems of the Deep Sea 13 & BB/WS4 15 Ocean Pollution & Marine Conservation 14 & BB/WS5 16 FINAL EXAM GRADING POLICIES: EXAMS: Five exams will be given covering assigned materials. Three exams (Ex 1, 3 & Quiz Exam) are worth 20 points, the Midterm and Final Exams (Ex 2 & Final-Exam 4) are 30 points. The lowest point grade prior to Final will be dropped. NO makeup exams will be given. Contact instructor before exam if you plan to miss it. Report medical and other emergencies* prior to the exam deadline and if you experience any technical problems contact IRSC s e-learning department immediately to file a trouble report in order to qualify for a make-up approval. SERVICE LEARNING: Students will have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary Service Learning project activity with an IRSC approved community partner (see BB Service Learning section). A student s Service Leaning project grade may contribute up to 35% of their total class grade. Note: this is optional (not mandatory). OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Students are required to have basic computer skills, have access to a computer, familiarity with internet and BB LMS, and responsible for using the latest and most updated software. GRADING SCALE: The semester average is based on the percentage of total percentage points: 90-100% = A 100-90 points 80-89% = B 89-80 points 70-79% = C 79-70 points 60-69% = D 69-60 points below 60% = F < 60 points W- Withdraw by deadline indicated in the semester course-offering schedule. The instructor will not give a withdrawal past this deadline.* I An Incomplete may be given to passing students only in verifiable emergencies*. * Medical & family emergencies require proper documentation (see Attendance & Procedures pg. 4). 2 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. To understand the ecology and biodiversity of the tropical marine ecosystems including biological, chemical and physical parameters. 2. To demonstrate taxonomic identification of tropical community species. 3. To understand the ecology and biodiversity of coral reef ecostystems. 4. To understand the ecology of life histories, reproduction and recruitment patterns of marine organisms. 5. To describe the ecology and function of tropical marine primary producers, invertebrates and vertebrates and their role in the marine ecosystem. 6. To understand how ocean pollution is causing degradation of marine ecosystems. 7. To understand how to preserve and protect tropical reefs and our world s oceans. 8. To reflect a personal understanding of the behaviors required for a more responsible and productive citizenship. 9. To understand the mission[s] of various types of organizations that provide community services; recognize the problems that are encountered in communities as a whole, and how they are addressed through government and organizations that provide community service. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of BSC 1254, Tropical Marine Ecology, students will have the ability to: Apply problem solving, analytical, and communication skills based on the scientific method that will provide the foundation for lifelong learning and career development. Communicate the science of major oceanographic concepts and requisite skills, relating how these are connected within various interdisciplinary areas of the biological and physical sciences (chemistry, physics and geology) in both lab and field settings. Make use of appropriate technologies to organize, acquire, and convey information relevant to the interdisciplinary marine sciences. Develop awareness of the World's vanishing diverse marine ecosystems and to understand our civic and social responsibility within the ethics of environmental stewardship. ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS: CHEATING: Cheating, including plagiarism and cell phones, of ANY kind will not be tolerated by this department. Any student caught cheating will receive an immediate F grade for the assignment. Any student witnessing an act of cheating who does not report it is considered guilty of this same inexcusable behavior. The use of cell phones is prohibited during class at IRSC. Any student using a cell phone during class will be asked to leave and considered absent for that class (see IRSC Student Handbook). 3 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth

MEANS OF ACCOMPLISHING OUTCOMES: Methods of instruction: Class discussions and/or interactions, online activities, internet studies, exams, student projects, and Service Learning activities and report. ATTENDANCE AND PROCEDURES: MAKE-UP POLICY: No make-up exams will be given. Contact instructor before exam or quiz if you plan to miss it. If you experience any technical problems contact IRSC s e-learning department immediately to file a trouble report prior to the exam deadline, and report medical and other emergencies (see below) prior to the exam deadline by phone or email message in order to qualify for a make-up approval. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to be prepared & present in online sessions. Students are responsible for material covered in each session & must be aware of any changes in exam schedule, notified by email. MEDICAL & FAMILY EMERGENCY: If you miss an exam deadline notify me immediately by email or phone. I can only provide a make-up under the following conditions: A written excuse from your physician explaining why medically you were unable to take a test or complete an assignment. An obituary notice of a death in your immediate family that also states your relationship to the deceased (husband, wife, mother, father, grandparent, son, daughter, brother, sister, no other). Instructor withdrawal requests require written excuses from your physician explaining why medically you were unable to participate in class activities and complete all assignments, or a copy of an obituary from a next of kin for you or your spouse (mother, father, son, daughter, sister, or brother no others.) LIBRARY, ON-LINE REFERENCE MATERIALS & TECHNICAL SUPPORT: The Miley Library serves as IRSC's main library. The library is an information place providing professional assistance, library books and media, and access to the library's electronic resources. There is an extensive online database system also available through IRSC s website www.irsc.edu. For any technical support or help with BB contact IRSC s e-learning Department listed on IRSC s website www.irsc.edu (e-learners) or visit the Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at Main Campus. For tutoring and additional help with BB visit IRSC s Academic Support Center (ASC). Locations and operating hours are posted on IRSC s website. 4 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth

PROFESSOR INFORMATION For more information about my credentials, marine science and research background and activities, oceanic research expeditions, publications, and updated course information visit My Faculty Website - click here. HOW TO CONTACT ME Contact me by email using the BB email account in my internet course. You can compose a message when accessing the View Inbox screen or you can use Quick Message to bypass the Inbox screen. I check my emails and phone messages frequently, however, my schedule includes many off-campus field trips and committee meetings, and I might not be available every day. I will usually answer your questions within 48 business hours. Office visits need to be scheduled by appointment. For any technical problems and support, please contact IRSC s e-learning Department (contact information on the IRSC website www.irsc.edu and on the BB login page. e-textbook My e-textbook chapters, chapter summaries, key term reviews and self-test questions are posted in the Weekly Assignments section (course homepage) and are free of charge. WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS You need to complete all weekly assignments on a regular basis. That includes studies of textbook chapters and studies of websites as well as chapter summaries, key terms, and self-test questions found in the Weekly Assignments section of the course. Click on the icon Weekly Assignments to find the self-test questions for each chapter, and the outline and questions for the website studies. These questions will be tested. Correct answers of the self-test questions are not posted. Use the course Discussion Board (in Lessons section) to discuss these questions with other students or post a question on the course Discussion Board for review. Check the Discussion Board messages frequently, and check my weekly email reminders of the weekly assignments and updates. EXAMS To view the exam schedule, dates and times for each exam, go to Lessons and click on Assessments. You can also find this same information in the course Calendar and in the Task/Milestones section (on the left). Five exams will be given covering assigned materials - see Weekly Assignments section for selected chapters review. The lowest point grade prior to Final will be dropped. Three exams (Ex. 1, 3 & Quiz) are unit exams, worth 20 points, the proctored Midterm & proctored comprehensive Final Exam (Ex. 2 & Final) are 30 points. The online Quiz Exams and Exams 1 & 3 can be taken at home or any location of your choice. Exams 2 (Midterm) & Exam 4 (Final) are proctored online exams and have to be taken at an IRSC Testing Center (Photo ID required). You do not have to notify me of your preferred testing site. Click on Task/Milestones section to view the exact exam dates. 5 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth

EXAMS (ctnd.) Out-of-district or out-of-state students need to contact Mr. Daniello (sdaniell@irsc.edu) at the Testing Center during the first week of classes to make arrangements for taking their proctored exams at a certified institution. To take the online Quiz Exam, Exam 1, 2 & 3, go to Contents and click on Assessments to select the Exam. You can only login once to take the exam and have 30 minutes to complete it. Proctored exams are limited to 45 minutes. Exam results are posted online automatically after completion. Exams include a variety of questions from textbook chapters and questions from website studies. NO makeup exams will be given unless arranged with the instructor by email prior to the exam deadline (see Grading policy section). Make-up exams will be offered online. Exam Reviews are available online each week (in the Weekly Assignments section) and include chapter summaries, key terms and self-test study questions. Selective exam chapters and assignments are announced during the week prior to the exam in the Weekly Assignments section. SERVICE LEARNING Purpose: Incorporating Service Learning into this course is to teach not only the above academic overview of course materials, but to employ that information in a more hands-on learning process that provides direct student insights into real world career opportunities in Marine Science. Note: This is an optional assignment (not mandatory). See BB/Lessons/Service Learning section for detailed information. Implementation: Service Learning in this course has two basic pathways depending on student interest and available service learning opportunities: 1. Research assistance in local Marine Science based organizations. 2. Applied science and utilization in commercial Marine Science based enterprises such as commercial aquaculture enterprises. A report summary reviewing work accomplished, skills used and learned, importance of enterprise, impacts on enterprise and or the community at large is required. Objectives: At the completion of this course, students will be able to reflect a personal understanding of the behaviors required for a more responsible and productive citizenship; understand the mission[s] of various types of organizations that provide community services; recognize the problems that are encountered in communities as a whole, and how they are addressed through government and organizations that provide community service; apply concepts and skills learned in discipline specific areas to real-world problems. 6 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY: Indian River State College provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities through the Educational Services Division / Student Disability Services Office. The rights of students with disabilities which pertain to post-secondary education are provided under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. These laws prohibit discrimination by institutions to "otherwise qualified" students with disabilities. This enables such students to have an equal opportunity to benefit from the education offered by those institutions. FLORIDA STATE STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN COURSE: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.9, 1.15, 2.5, 2.6, 3.10, 3.13, 4.2, 4.3, 5.7, 5.8, 5.13, 6.3, 7.1, 7.2, 8.9 FLORIDA EDUCATOR ACCOMPLISHED PRACTICES: FEAP number Critical assignment Assessment method 4 Students apply problem solving, analytical, and communication skills based on the scientific method while mastering marine biology concepts and solving selected case studies. Exams and internet research projects 8 Students will learn: Natural history of marine organisms, their taxonomic relationships and their interactions with each other The evolutionary processes of various marine organisms and their biodiversity Quizzes and exams 12 Students perform internet searches and complete and submit electronic assignments while learning to navigate IRSC s Learning Management System. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a voluntary Service Learning project activity with an approved community partner. A student s Service Leaning project grade may contribute up to 35% of their total class grade. Internet activities and Chapter projects. Service Learning projects will require a final report containing both a student descriptions of their, work skills acquired, and their reflections on the participating community partners impacts on the community. 7 2014 - Prof. Dr. S. Alshuth