Setting Fundulus traps in High Intertidal Pool
Photo: RMB Class 2005
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:
Dennis J. Taylor
taylordj at hiram.edu
last updated 20 August 2008
Banner Photo by Mathew J. Wilson