Marine Biology

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/marine-biology

Introduction

### Course Review: Marine Biology on Coursera #### Overview If you've ever found yourself gazing out at the ocean, captivated by its vastness and the mysteries it holds beneath the surface, the **Marine Biology course** on Coursera is tailor-made for you. This course dives deep into the fascinating world of ocean life, exploring the intricate ecosystems that thrive from the sunlit surface down to the inky depths of the sea. It reveals the evolutionary history and adaptations of marine organisms, making it a captivating experience for anyone with an interest in biology, ecology, or environmental science. #### Course Content The course is structured around five core modules, each tackling a critical aspect of marine biology: 1. **Adaptations to Ocean Life**: - The course kicks off with a thought-provoking exploration of how organisms have evolved to thrive underwater. It dives into the origins of life on Earth, the diversity of marine organisms, and the evolutionary forces at play. You'll learn about the impact of destructive fishing methods on ecosystems, as well as unique survival strategies such as biofluorescence and bioluminescence. 2. **Physical Properties of the Marine Environment**: - Understanding the properties of seawater is crucial for appreciating life in the ocean. This module covers the chemical and physical characteristics (like salinity, temperature, and pressure) that impact aquatic life. It's fascinating to see how these properties aid organisms in finding food, avoiding predators, and reproducing. 3. **Species Interactions**: - Here, you will delve into the interactions within marine ecosystems. The course examines energy flow and matter cycling, from primary producers to apex predators. You'll explore ecological principles and gain insight into how different species influence each other’s evolution and survival. 4. **Giants of the Sea: The Blue Whale**: - This module provides a case study on blue whales, the world's largest animals. With insights from biologists employing innovative tagging technologies, you'll discover how these majestic creatures have adapted their feeding strategies to survive in their unique ecological niche. 5. **Importance of Marine Ecosystems**: - The final module addresses the pressing threats faced by ocean life, ranging from climate change to overfishing. You'll learn about the role of marine ecosystems in the greater environmental framework and explore conservation strategies, including the efforts to restore resilient corals. #### Course Experience The Marine Biology course on Coursera doesn’t just provide information; it engages and excites learners. Each module combines video lectures, case studies, and interactive elements, allowing participants to engage with the material actively. The course is designed to be accessible, making it suitable for both beginners and those with some background in biology. What truly sets this course apart is the caliber of the instructors. Renowned marine biologists share their firsthand research experiences, providing unique perspectives that enrich the learning experience. Their passion for marine science is infectious, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the ocean’s mysteries. #### Recommendation I highly recommend the **Marine Biology course on Coursera**. Whether you are a student, a professional looking to pivot your career, or simply a curious individual eager to learn about the ocean, this course offers valuable insights and knowledge. You'll come away with a profound understanding of marine ecosystems, the challenges they face, and the importance of conserving them. The course not only prepares you to understand marine biology but also empowers you with knowledge to advocate for the preservation of the oceans. Together, we can appreciate and protect this vital resource that is so crucial to our planet's health. By the end of the course, you will not only be equipped with a robust understanding of marine biology, but you'll also have the tools to engage in meaningful conversations about ocean conservation efforts. Dive in and explore the wonders of our world's oceans today!

Syllabus

How have organisms adapted to living in the ocean?

Did life on Earth begin in the ocean? How diverse are marine organisms, compared to those on land? What are the forces that shaped their evolution, and what threats do they face? We begin our course by investigating questions whose answers are far less straightforward than you might think. Here we will meet our course authors and look through a porthole onto their scientific research. We will learn how destructive fishing techniques are affecting the ecosystems of squid species and how biofluorescence and bioluminescence help mysterious deep-sea creatures survive and reproduce.

Just as life on land depends on the air we breathe, life in the ocean depends on water. What are the properties of seawater, and how are they important to life? This week we will examine seawater’s chemical and physical characteristics—things like temperature, salinity, acidity, pressure, and the transmission of sunlight—that profoundly affect the organisms living in it. We’ll study how water moves through the ocean and beyond, in a great global cycle that includes internal motion like tides and currents, but also processes like evaporation, precipitation, and wind, which take place outside the ocean. Then we will look at how organisms take advantage of all this motion. How do the water’s properties allow marine life to find food, escape from predators, meet mates, and spread their offspring? Finally, we will a visit with a bioengineer who designs her own equipment to create pulsing images of a previously little-studied organism, a gelatinous filter-feeder that’s enormously important in its ecosystem.

This week we will examine another aspect of motion underwater: how matter and energy move through marine ecosystems, from the photosynthetic organisms that capture sunlight at the base of the food pyramid to the huge predators at the top, as well as the organisms that cycle waste and dead creatures back into the system. What lives where, and why? How do the movement of matter and energy affect the patterns of life in the ocean?We will take a closer look at principles of ecology and how they apply in marine environments. How do species interact within a community? How do they help and harm one another, and how do their interactions drive their evolution? In a case study, we will visit a marine scientist who studies dolphins that herd their prey and find out about the daily migrations those prey species make between deep and shallow waters.

Blue whales are the largest animals that ever lived and have among the longest migrations of any mammalian species. Their massive body size and range bring with them a unique set of challenges. How do blue whales get enough energy feasting on just tiny krill? A group of scientists, including biologist Jeremy Goldbogen at Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University, has revolutionized the study of whale behavior by developing and deploying multi-sensor tags on whales. The scientists look for patterns in their data in order to understand what whales are doing during their deep dives, and what this behavior reveals about the ecosystems the whales inhabit.

The threats to ocean life are numerous and dire, but they are not foretold. For example, “super corals” appear to be resistant to warming waters and scientists are successfully replanting samples in vulnerable reefs. This week we investigate the relationship between humans and the ocean: the services the oceans provide, how those services are threatened by human activity, and what might be done to mitigate these threats. We also look at a number of other scientists who are working from many disciplines on conservation strategies.