Course Catalog

Marine Science 1 (#2002500)

Grades:
9,10,11,12
GPA Weighting:
No
SUS Admissions:
Yes
Bright Futures:
Yes
NCAA:
Yes
Graduation Requirements:

This course is an equally rigorous science course with a lab component that satisfies part of the science graduation requirement (see below)

3 Credits Science • One of which must be Biology 1, two of which must be equally rigorous science courses • Two of the three required course credits must have a laboratory component • Industry Certifications that lead to college credit may substitute for up to one science credit (except for Biology 1) • An identified computer science** course may substitute for up to one science credit (except for Biology 1)

Assessment:

End of Year District Final - Counts for 10% of Final Course Grade

Placement Consideration:

Students expressing a desire to follow an environmental or life sciences pathway and have completed Biology.

Prerequisites:

Biology 1

Next Course in Progression:
Environmental Science or any Equally Rigorous Science Course.
Other Information:

Academic Pathways for Science

Traditional Science Electives:

Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Marine Science, Physics, Physical Science

Approved Resources:

Access the Instructional Materials page to see approved instructional resources for this course.

Course Description:

This course provides students with an overview of the marine environment. The content includes the origins of the ocean, the nature of the marine habitat including chemical, physical, and geological aspects, ecology of the sea zonation, marine communities, classification, taxonomy, characteristics of major phla/divisions, and man's interrelationship with the oceans.

 

Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recommends that at the high school level, all students should be in the science lab or field, collecting data every week. School laboratory investigations (labs) are defined by the National Research Council (NRC) as an experience in the laboratory, classroom, or the field that provides students with opportunities to interact directly with natural phenomena or with data collected by others using tools, materials, data collection techniques, and models (NRC, 2006, p. 3). Laboratory investigations in the high school classroom should help all students develop a growing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills to calibrate and troubleshoot equipment used to make observations. Learners should understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data (National Research Council, 2006, p.77; NSTA, 2007).