Upon completion of this course, you should have a thorough understanding of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, including the various groups, their evolution and classification, anatomy and physiology, sensory biology, communication, feeding, ecology and energetics, social and reproductive behavior, and life history. You should be able to interpret and discuss current research in marine mammalogy, and you should be able to make informed decisions about the many social and political issues regarding marine mammals.

Specific Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this lecture and laboratory, you should be able to

identify the major taxonomic groups of marine mammals and their diagnostic characteristics, from the family level and above, and identify selected species of importance.
describe the evolutionary pathways for the major groups of marine mammals and correlate them with the paleo-oceanic and climatic conditions that would support such pathways.
compare the structure and function of the major anatomical and physiological systems between major groups of marine mammals and between marine and terrestrial mammals, with specific attention to adaptations for living in seawater (musculoskeletal system, locomotion, thermoregulation, osmoregulation, diving, sensory biology).
compare and interpret various vocalizations and signaling by marine mammals within the context of theories of animal communication and cognition.
Divide marine mammals into major categories of diet and feeding categories, and describe and quantify the ecological role of marine mammals with specific examples of impacts on community structure and bioenergetics. Students should be able to complete basic bioenergetic calculations to quantify the importance of marine mammals within their communities.
compare and interpret patterns of social structure and reproductive behavior for major groups of marine mammals, within the context of major theories of animal social behavior and reproductive strategies.
analyze and discuss specific marine mammal research projects from current literature and orally present a specific paper in the format of a research conference presentation.
manipulate and interpret data and formulate research conclusions as they relate to scientific questions and current political and social issues in the marine mammal field.
experience and appreciate basic research field skills, potentially including, but not limited to, photo-ID and necropsies.

Grading

Technically, the lecture and lab are separate co-requisite courses (3 credits and 1 credit), and you do receive a grade for each, but in practice, a single overall grade will be based on both the lecture and lab sections combined (you will receive the same grade for both). Your grade is based on 4 tests during the semester, including the final exam, a marine mammal field identification quiz, and laboratory exercises (further discussed below). The point breakdown is as follows:

4 Lecture Tests, including final exam

(20 % each, except the lowest grade which is worth only 5%)

65 %

Marine mammal identification quiz

10 %

Laboratory Grade (breakdown described below)

25 %

Remember: If you are a marine science or biology major applying this course toward your upper level degree requirements, you must earn a C or better. “Final Responsibility for satisfying degree requirements, as outlined in the university catalog, rests with the student.” - University Catalog.

Lecture:

Many topics will be discussed in lecture which are not in your book, so attendance is essential to a good grade in this course. Lecture tests may include any of several formats, including multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay. Make-ups for tests will be given only for medical reasons, a death in the family, or for a suitable reason cleared with me ahead of time. As per the University Catalogue, unexcused absences in excess of 25% of the regularly scheduled classes will result in an F for the course. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make up the material. Although you will not be graded based upon your lecture participation, I encourage you to ask questions and to provoke discussion. Please be punctual, courteous, and attentive during class. Points will be deducted from your final grade if tardiness becomes a distraction. Cheating/plagiarism will result in a minimum of a zero for an assignment and potentially removal from the course with an F.

Laboratory:

The purpose of the lab is to clarify and further examine topics which can only briefly be covered in lecture, as well as to expose you to some of the techniques used in marine mammal research. The lab is generally weighted toward cetaceans and therefore does not always follow along with the lecture schedule. Much of it is geared toward marine mammals which might be encountered in South Carolina. The lab is worth 25% of your combined lecture/lab grade (plus, some of your lab time will go toward preparation for the species identification quiz worth an additional 10% of your total grade). Forty percent of your lab grade (so 10% of your total grade) is for a group presentation using Powerpoint, another 50% is based on graded lab exercises, and 10% is based on participation in lab and presentation discussions. Participation is essential in lab: each unexcused absence will result in the loss of 7% of your total lab grade, and I reserve the right to take up to that amount off per lab for poor or incomplete participation. You must pass the lab to pass the course. Information from the laboratories can and will be included in lecture tests.

Lecture Schedule

Date	Topic	Chapters
August 22	Introduction, History, What is a marine mammal?	1
24	Who are they? Where did they come from? Where are they now? Evolution, systematics, and biogeography	2-6
27	Evolution, systematics, and biogeography	2-6
29	Evolution, systematics, and biogeography	2-6
31	Evolution, systematics, and biogeography	2-6
Sept 3	Labor Day Holiday--no class
5	Evolution, systematics, and biogeography	2-6
7	Adaptations to the marine environment: Locomotion/musculoskeletal system	8
10	Locomotion/musculoskeletal system	8
12	Locomotion/musculoskeletal system	8
14	TEST 1
17	Thermoregulation	7
19	Thermoregulation	7
21	Osmoregulation	7
24	Diving/breath holding	9
26	Diving/breath holding	9
28	Sensory abilities: vision	7
Oct 1	Sensory abilities: chemoreception, tactile, biomagnetic	7
3	Sensory abilities: Hearing and echolocation	10
5	Sensory abilities: Hearing and echolocation	10
8	Sensory abilities: Hearing and echolocation	10
10	Catch-up and review
12	TEST 2
15	Communication, cognition, and learning	10
17	Necropsy field trip
19	Fall Break
22	Necropsy field trip
24	Communication, cognition, and learning	10
26	Communication, cognition, and learning	10
29	Feeding and ecology: Feeding Structures and Digestion	11
31	Prey and prey capture	11
Nov 2	Ecological role	11
5	Ecological role/movements	11
7	Bioenergetics and biotoxicology
9	TEST 3	TEST 3
12	The facts of life: Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
14	Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
16	Thanksgiving Break
19-23	Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
26	Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
28	Field-ID Quiz
30	Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
Dec 3	Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
5	Population Structure, Life History, and Reproduction	12-14
7	Catch-up and review
Mon, Dec 10	FINAL EXAM - 1:30 pm

LABORATORY SCHEDULE

Download Lab Manual

Mon Lab	Wed Lab
8/27	8/29	Field ID slides
9/3	9/5	Labor Day week: no labs
9/10	9/12	Dolphin skeletal anatomy
9/17	9/19	Dolphins and tuna
9/24	9/26	Energetics
10/1	10/3	Hearing, echolocation, and vocalizations
10/8	10/10	Student Presentations
10/15	10/17	Student Presentations (Mon) / Necropsy (Wed)
10/22	10/24	Necropsy (Mon) / Student Presentations (Wed)
10/29	10/31	Photo-ID field trips
11/5	11/7	Photo-ID field trips
11/12	11/14	Student Presentations
11/19	11/21	Thanksgiving Break
11/26	11/28	Photo-ID data lab
12/3	11/5	TBA

[Course Homepage] [Syllabus] [Lecture Schedule] [Lab Schedule] [Study Guides] [Marine Mammal Links]

Web Site designed and maintained by:

Rob Young, Marine Science Department, Coastal Carolina University, PO Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528-6054

Grading

Catch-up and review

Fall Break

Bioenergetics and biotoxicology

TEST 3

Dolphin skeletal anatomy

Photo-ID data lab

TBA