Left: Students in the FAS 4270/6272 Marine Ecological Processes course, at Cedar Key. Right: The Field Ecology of Aquatic Organisms (4932/5276C) class learns about nearshore habitats and organisms in the Florida Keys.
FAS 4270/6272: MARINE ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES
This undergraduate/graduate level course is taught each Fall semester and provides students with an overview of ecological processes operating in estuarine, nearshore coastal and open ocean systems. Initially, students are introduced to important primary producers and secondary consumers in each of these systems. Insights into physiological and population levels of organization build on these basics. Environmental factors that influence species-specific and population level interactions are discussed subsequently as a transition to the concepts of community organization. All of this material forms a foundation for explaining how the structure and function of communities are maintained over different scales in both time and space. This course is also delivered online using a combination of recorded lectures and synchronous online discussions. Lectures and assignments are adapted for distance learning. The course is required for undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies Marine Science majors in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
- Instructor: Dr. Donald C. Behringer
- Semester: Fall
- Credits: 3
- Delivery: Face-to-face and online
- Example Syllabus: Download here
FAS 4932/5276C: FIELD ECOLOGY OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS (TEAM-TAUGHT)
In this field-oriented course, students gain an understanding of plant and animal community structure across the diverse aquatic habitats found in Florida, including a range of lakes, rivers and coastal systems. I lecture on Florida’s unique Everglades ecosystem and numerous marine habitats in the Florida Keys including coral reefs, seagrass beds, tidal creeks, and near-shore hard-bottom.
- Instructor: Dr. Donald C. Behringer
- Semester: Summer A
- Credits: 4
- Delivery: Face-to-face
- Example Syllabus: Download here
FAS 4932/6932: UF IN CUBA: TROPICAL MARINE AND ISLAND ECOLOGY
This is a study abroad course that gives students a hands-on understanding of the marine and coastal ecosystems of central and southern Cuba, the impacts of human land-use activities on ecological communities, and an introduction to Cuban history and culture.
- Instructors: Drs. Donald C. Behringer and Luke Flory
- Semester: Summer A
- Credits: 4
- Course Brochure: Download here
- Course Flyer: Download here
VME 4012/6010: AQUATIC ANIMAL CONSERVATION ISSUES (TEAM-TAUGHT)
This course is team-taught each Fall semester and is delivered asynchronously, but with live online discussions following the lecture using the Adobe Connect platform. The course introduces students to some of the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals. The module I deliver focuses on marine protected areas, artificial reefs, and fishing in the context of conservation and restoration in marine ecosystems. Students are introduced to the current issues and relevant management and research examples are discussed.
- Instructors: Drs. Iske Larkin (lead) and Donald C. Behringer
- Semester: Fall
- Credits: 3
- Delivery: Online
- Example Syllabus: Download here
VME 4013/6011: AQUATIC WILDLIFE HEALTH ISSUES (TEAM-TAUGHT)
This course is team-taught each Summer A semester and is delivered asynchronously, but with live discussions following the lecture using the Adobe Connect platform. It is designed to introduce students and professionals to the natural history, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and common health issues of aquatic wildlife such as: whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, crocodilians, fish and invertebrates. I deliver a module on invertebrate disease ecology.
- Instructors: Drs. Iske Larkin (lead) and Donald C. Behringer
- Semester: Fall
- Credits: 3
- Delivery: Online
- Example Syllabus: Download here