Introduction to Marine Sciences

Introduction to Marine Sciences | June 2024

This course primarily focuses on oceanography, with a few elements of marine biology. It provides important basic environmental and oceanographical information including enrichment for students interested in marine life.

Course curriculum

1. Course Introduction
1. Introduction to Marine Sciences
2. Marine Biology
3. Physical Oceanography
4. Chemical Oceanography
5. Geological Oceanography
6. Marine Meteorology
7. Humans and the Ocean
1. The Ocean Currents
2. Biogeographic Zones
3. West Coast – Cold Temperate Region
4. South Coast – Warm Temperate Region
5. East Coast – Subtropical Region
6. South African Marine Ecosystems
1. The Two Oceans of South Africa
2. The North West Coastline
3. The South West Coastline
4. The Southern Cape Coastline
5. The Eastern Cape and Southern Kwa-Zulu Natal Coastline
6. Central to Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal Coastline
1. Applying scientific method
2. Scientific Method
1. Definitions
2. Feeding relationships
3. Competition & Predation
4. Symbiotic relationships
1. Basic Classification
2. How Are Organisms Classified
3. Taxonomy: Life's Filing System
4. Scientific Name Binomial Nomenclature
1. Marine Arthropods
2. Pycnogonids (Sea Spiders)
3. Crustaceans - Barnacle
4. Crustaceans - Amphipod & Isopod
5. Crustaceans - Shrimp
6. Crustaceans - Rock Lobster & Hermit Crab
7. Crustaceans - True Crabs
1. Marine molluscs
2. Bivalva - Mussel
3. Polyplacophora - Chiton
4. Gastropoda - Limpet, Abalone, Whelk, Winkle & Sea Slug
5. Cephalopoda
6. Marine mollusc summary
1. Introduction
2. Shark Jaw
3. Skin: Denticles
4. Locomotion
5. Reproduction
6. Gaseous Exchange
7. Teeth and Feeding
1. Introduction
2. Fish Dissection
1. The Water Molecule
2. States of Water
3. Density
4. Other Properties
1. Why is the Ocean Salty?
2. What Salts are found in the Ocean
3. How Salty is the Ocean?
4. Variation in Salinity
5. Salinity and Density
1. Introduction
2. Lunar/Tidal Day
3. Earth’s Rotation and Tides
4. Monthly Tidal Cycle
5. Tide & Time Charts for Cape Town
1. Rocky Shore Ecosystem
2. Rocky Shore
1. Introduction
2. Sediments
3. Beach Life
4. Sand Hoppers
5. Plough Snails
6. White Mussels
1. Introduction
2. Sediment Origins
3. Sediment Situation (Location)
4. Classification
1. Introduction
2. Salinity
3. Temperature
4. Organic load
5. Knysna Seahorse Status

About this course

83 lessons
0.5 hours of video content

Instructor(s)

Senior Teacher Anzio Abels

Meet Anzio Abels, the course coordinator for our Smart Living & Marine Sciences Explorer courses, but also an outreach teacher, tech wiz and all-round helpful guy. He studied Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of the Western Cape, with electives in Environmental and Water Sciences. He has a keen interest in the natural world and the human-nature interaction, with a focus on conservation and environmental awareness.

Deputy Head of Ocean Campus Bianca Engel

Bianca has been working at the Two Oceans Aquarium and its Foundation since 1 April 1998 - just recently, she celebrated her 25th year! Before her employment, she volunteered at the Aquarium for three years. During her spell at the Aquarium, Bianca has worked within most areas of the education department. Initially, she started in the I&J Children's Play Centre, doing puppet shows and crafts with visitors. Bianca possesses a degree in Zoology and a teaching diploma. Her role at the Aquarium's Foundation allows her to put these qualifications to good use every day!