Marine Biology Lab

This optional 1-credit lab consists of four virtual classes with a two-day visit to the Institute for Marine Sciences (IMS) to observe coastal habitats and organisms covered in the EMES 442 lecture. Each lab section is guided by an IMS faculty member to collect and analyze data from mudflats, salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and sandy beaches. The collected data helps students understand seasonal and annual ecosystem changes. By integrating biodiversity data with temperature, water quality, salinity, and shoreline monitoring, students learn about the connections between coastal processes and habitat quality.