Setting Fundulus traps in High Intertidal Pool

Photo:  RMB Class 2005

Research in Marine Biology

Click here for link to SML course page

Faculty

Jeanette Lim, B.S. - Harvard University
Douglas Fudge, Ph.D.  - University of Guelph
Anne Todgham, Ph.D. - University of California, Santa Barbara
Dennis J. Taylor, Ph.D. - Hiram College

Teaching Assistants

Rachel Fineman. B.A. -  Saint Mark's School, Dallas
Tim Winegard B.A. - University of Guelph


RMB is a hands-on course in which students explore the marine environment around Appledore Island via field and laboratory experiments of their own design. This course is unique in that students learn practical skills that are required of all biologists, such as generating hypotheses, experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, group decision-making, writing scientific papers, and communicating results to others. The class works together on several experiments inspired by student observations, primary literature, lectures, and data collected by previous classes. Phenomena investigated in previous years include: predator-prey interactions, vertical migration in zooplankton, biomechanical design, foraging behavior, photosynthesis, and adaptation to intertidal stressors such as desiccation, temperature, and wave action. Students gain practical experience with laboratory, field, and remote sensing equipment, and work with a diverse range of marine organisms including vertebrates, invertebrates and algae. Each student takes responsibility for writing up the results from one experiment and presents the results in a scientific symposium at the end of the course. This course is highly recommended for undergraduates interested in independent research or considering graduate education in biology, as well as science educators seeking experience in inquiry-based learning.

Natural Experiments

Growth in Intertidal Kelps - 06

Field Experiments

Effect of Salinity on Holding Strength of Blue Mussels - 08
    

Laboratory Experiments

Ambient Water Temperature Effects on Hagfish Slime Production - 08

Effect of Water Flow Rates on Baleen Filtering Efficiency - 08

Prey Choice in Foraging Green Crabs with Damaged Claws - 08

The Effect of Size on Temperature Tolerance in Periwinkles - 08

Colony Size and Filter Feeding in Bryozoans - 08
  

Links:
Shoals Marine Laboratory

Dennis J. Taylor

taylordj at hiram.edu

last updated 20 August 2008