Award: Associate Degree

Saltwater covers seventy-one percent (71%) of its surface, and many aspects of the marine world minimize physical and chemical stresses on organisms. The barrier to evolving gas exchange and osmotic regulatory structures that can function in freshwater and terrestrial environments are formidable, and relatively few lineages have escaped their marine origins to do so. Thus, it is not surprising to find that the marine environment continues to harbour an enormous diversity of higher taxa and significant body plans. Productivity in the world’s oceans is very high, and this also probably contributes to the great variety of animal life in the sea. Taxonomy of aquatic invertebrates is a course designed to present the diversity of aquatic life forms submitted in the animal kingdom. The course structure enables the student to observe the increasing complexity of animals from the simpler life forms to multiple groups. Classification, morphology, physiology, behaviour and ecology of major aquatic invertebrate groups as they relate to phylogenetic relationships, adaptations for specific habitats and lifestyles will be studied. It also highlights the dominant aquatic invertebrates that are of economic/commercial importance.

This course is an introduction to the necessary biochemical and chemical activities in the cell and examines the structure and function of fundamental chemicals of living organisms: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, inorganic ions, and water. Topics include: vital chemicals of living organisms; monomers and chemicals bonds; carbohydrates – disaccharides and polysaccharides; lipids – the role of lipids in organisms; proteins – dipeptides and polypeptides; quaternary structure; inorganic ions- roles of calcium and iron; pH; colloids; water; enzymes – role, protein nature, mode of action and substrate, properties, denaturation and inhibition.

This course is structured to provide knowledge and understanding of the major components of the environment. This course deals with the following aspects of environmental science; the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere. The major cycles of atmospheric gases are studied along with the causes of atmospheric pollution. This course also focuses on the water cycle and factors contributing to water pollution. The treatment to solid and liquid waste is considered in order to preserve water quality.

Overfishing occurs when more fish are caught than the population can replace through natural reproduction. Gathering as many fish as possible may seem like a profitable practise, but overfishing has serious consequences. The results affect not only the balance of life in the oceans but also the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life. Billions of people rely on fish for protein, and fishing is the principal livelihood for millions of people around the world. For centuries, our seas and oceans have been considered a limitless bounty of food. However, increasing fishing efforts over the last 50 years, as well as unsustainable fishing practices, are pushing many fish stocks to the point of collapse. More than 30 per cent of the world’s fisheries have been pushed beyond their biological limits and require strict management plans to restore them. Several substantial commercial fish populations (such as Atlantic bluefin tuna) have declined to the point where their survival as a species is threatened. Target fishing of top predators, such as tuna and groupers, is changing marine communities, which lead to an abundance of smaller marine species, such as sardines and anchovies. Many fishers are aware of the need to safeguard fish populations and the marine environment, however illegal fishing and other regulatory problems still exist. WWF works with stakeholders to reform fisheries management globally, focusing on sustainable practices that conserve ecosystems, but also sustain livelihoods and ensure food security. This course is designed to identify the threats and offer possible solutions to secure food stability from our fisheries.

This course focuses on the cell as the basic unit of living organisms. The structural complexity and the mechanism by which the cell replicates itself is studied. This course covers the major energy processes of cells and the control of cellular chemical activity. The course content will be covered through the use of video presentations, power point presentations, lecture/discussions, group discussion, and student presentations.

This course focuses on the life processes of living organisms. In studying the life processes the relationship between form and function is emphasized. The adaptive structure of cell structure and their specialized function in living processes such as excretory, sensory and reproductive cells are studied. The basic anatomy and physiology of plant and animal structures in gaseous exchange, transport, homeostasis, control and reproduction is covered in this course. The course content will be covered through the use of video presentations, power point presentations, lecture/discussions, group discussion, and student presentations.

This course focuses on the relationship between humans and microorganisms, particularly those that cause disease conditions. The course content will be covered through the use of video presentations, power point presentations, lecture/discussions, group discussion, and student presentations.