Marine Invertebrates and their Environment

ESCI 426

The Pacific Northwest is home to an amazing array of marine invertebrates. In this course, we study the morphology, behavior, taxonomy and special adaptations of local species. Weekly field trips to marine habitats near the Shannon Point Marine Center expose students to the invertebrates living on docks, on rocky shores, in tidepools, on sandy beaches, and in subtidal environments. Field observations are followed by careful laboratory examination of living organisms. Through hands-on study of living organisms, students gain knowledge about local species and an appreciation for the remarkable diversity present in marine invertebrate phyla.