MSCI 305 - Biology and Conservation of Marine Turtles

2 credit hours
This introductory course will provide an overview of the biology and conservation of marine turtles. Students will obtain a detailed knowledge of sea turtle biology and will gain an understanding of why many sea turtle species have become endangered and how proper management has allowed some populations to recover. The course will culminate with a multi-day field trip to sea turtle nesting beaches and foraging grounds in the Southeastern U.S. Class will also visit sea turtle research and rehabilitation facilities. The field trip will provide students with the opportunity to observe loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles in their natural habitats. Topics to be covered include identification, distribution, nesting behavior, migratory behavior, feeding ecology, population biology and genetics, developmental habitats, temperature-dependent sex determination, paleontology, and conservation of marine turtles. Special fees apply and will be posted on the web at: www.disl.org. Prerequisite(s): Introductory course in biology.