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Spring 2025 Courses at Hopkins Marine Station

Environmental Change and Biodiversity (Oceans 125H) Mondays 9:30am-12:20pm & 1:30pm-2:20pm

In this course we will study marine biodiversity and the impacts of environmental change on ocean life and marine ecosystems. Students will first study fundamental aspects of physiology, ecology, and evolution in marine animals and plants. Then, students will apply these principles to understand the consequences of environmental change on the functioning of organisms and ecosystems. Through field activities in the living laboratory of the Monterey coast, students will be immersed in the richness and complexity of marine food webs. Students will develop an integrative view of the past and future of ocean ecosystems, forming an evidence-based understanding of the consequences of recent anthropogenic influences on ocean biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. (4 units)

Research in Ecology and Ecological Physiology (Oceans 47H) Tuesdays 9:30am-12:20pm & 1:30pm-2:20pm

This course is a field-based inquiry into rocky intertidal shores at Hopkins Marine Station that introduces students to ecology and environmental physiology and the research methods used to study them. Students will learn how to detect patterns quantitatively in nature through appropriate sampling methods. Following exploration of appropriate background material in class and through exploration of the scientific literature, students will formulate testable hypotheses regarding the underlying causes of the patterns they discern. A variety of different aspects of ecology and physiology will be investigated cooperatively by the students during the quarter, culminating in development of an individual final paper in the form of a research proposal based on data collected during the course. The course will provide a broad conceptual introduction to the underlying biological principles that influence adaptation to dynamic habitats, as well as an inquiry-based experience in how to explore complex systems in nature. This course fulfills the same laboratory requirement as BIO 47. Satisfies WIM in Biology. (5 units)

Bio-logging and Bio-telemetry (Oceans 14H) Wednesdays 10:00am-1:00pm

Bio-logging is a rapidly growing discipline that includes diverse fields such as consumer electronics, medicine, and marine biology. The use of animal-attached digital tags is a powerful approach to study the movement and ecology of individuals over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. This course is an introduction to bio-logging methods and analysis. Using whales as a model system, students will learn how use multi-sensor tags to study behavioral biomechanics. (3 units)

Catalyzing Solutions for a Sustainable Ocean: Learning with Local Communities (Oceans 123H) Thursdays 10:30am-12:20pm

The ocean is impacted by overfishing, plastic pollution, climate change and acidification, which are leading to the disruption of marine ecosystem functions and services critical for human wellbeing. Ocean mining, offshore wind farming, increasing shipping, land sea interactions and carbon sequestration are all posing a whole new set of unprecedented challenges and, at the same time, opportunities to solve the pressing problem humanity has to face. By leveraging the unique location of Hopkins Marine Station as a living laboratory in Monterey Bay, this course will provide a unique opportunity for students to learn through real world examples about the multifaceted nature of problems at the very core of ocean sustainability. (3 units)

Science of the Extreme Life of the Sea (Oceans 141H) Fridays 3:00pm-5:50pm

Covers the way marine animals and plants live in extreme environments by examining morphological, ecological, and genetic adaptations to low temperature, high heat, deep water, etc. We also cover extreme lifestyles such as fast swimming, small and large body size, and novel reproductive systems. Lecture material is punctuated with a series of tutorials on narrative writing skills in science, especially creative non-fiction, memoirs, braided essays and short fiction. The goal is to integrate quantitative thinking about the life sciences with creative writing that brings facts to life. Prerequisites: core courses in biology, creative writing, environmental sciences or engineering. (3 units)

Marine Conservation Biology (Oceans 173H) Fridays 9:00am-3:00pm

Introduction to the key concepts of ecology and policy relevant to marine conservation issues at the population to ecosystems level. Focus on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity and conservation applications from both the biology and policy perspectives (for example, endangered species, captive breeding, reserve design, habitat fragmentation, ecosystem restoration/rehabilitation). Also includes emerging approaches such as ecosystem based management, ocean planning, and coupled social-ecological systems. The course will include lectures, readings and discussions of primary literature, and attendance at seminars with visiting scholars. (1-3 units)

Open Water Scuba Certification

Available afternoons from 1pm-4pm. 17 in-person hours required, with at least 10 in-water hours and a minimum of 4 open water dives.