A pair of Blackfin Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) cruises among the pilings of a resort dock at North Male' Atoll, Maldives. Humans and sharks come into contact with ever-increasing frequency; sharks almost always fare worse as a consequence of encounters with us.

A credit course for graduate students, advanced undergraduate students (transfer credit is available for students from other institutions) and general interest distance learners. Elasmobranchs are important components in virtually all marine ecosystems and in a few tropical freshwater ones as well. Sharks and rays are commercially exploited and vulnerable to directed fisheries, bycatch, and anthropogenic habitat erosion. This course will play an important role in enriching the educational background and professional understanding of marine biology, zoology, or coastal management degree students.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: If taken toward an undergraduate degree, it is recommended that students have completed at least second-year biology courses. No prerequisites for those taking the course for general interest.

A Blotched Fantail Ray (Taeniura meyeni) with an entourage of trevally (Carangidae) at North Male' Atoll, Maldives

This course 1) integrates and amplifies scientific learning from basic biology, physics, and chemistry, and 2) provides students with a comprehensive, well-rounded, and up-to-date understanding of the biology of elasmobranch fishes, 3) building toward pursuit of careers in marine ecology, zoology, ichthyology, and fisheries management.

Class Format:

This course is taught on-line, based on peer-reviewed literature in the anthology selected as the course textbook (see below). Selected readings will be assigned each week for background reading, and classroom discussions. The estimated time commitment is five to ten hours per unit, on average, to complete readings and participate in course activities.

Course Materials:

Course content is delivered as self-guided narrated and illustrated lectures. For undergraduate students and general interest learners, these are augmented by the text, Sharks in Question by Victor Springer and Joy Gold (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989); for graduate students, course content is amplified and extended by the text, Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives edited by Carrier, Musick, and Heithaus (CRC Press, 2004). Additional supplementary material includes on-line video clips and use of selected Internet resources. Interaction with the course instructor is via E-mail and participation in on- line discussions centering on topics set by the instructor.

Course Resources:

Print and Web-CT.

Unit Plan:
 

Week	Topic	Week	Topic
1	Evolution	7	Feeding
2	Classification	8	Reproduction
3	Diversity	9	Age and Growth
4	Form and Function	10	Brain and Behavior
5	Sensory Biology	11	Distribution and Ecology
6	Swimming and Body Form	12	Conservation

Attendance:

Students are expected read all material provided. Attendance will be gauged by participation in on-line discussion and submission of research projects.

A Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) off the Western Cape, South Africa

Fieldtrips:

If enough participation can be secured, a formal shark-watching field trip in the Florida-Bahamas region can be arranged, in which students will apply what they have learned about shark behavior in the course.

Assessment:

For graduate students, participation in on-line discussions (20%), a term project on an elasmobranch-related topic of the student's choice but subject to approval by the course instructor (30%), and a final examination consisting of three integrative essay questions set by the instructor, to be submitted via E- mail attachment and graded by the instructor (50%).

Grading:

All exercises, including exams and submissions must be E-mailed to instructor. Grading will take into consideration: content, organization, accuracy and quality of presentation. Late assignments will incur in a 20-point reduction (out of a possible maximum of 100).

About the Instructor:

The "Biology of Sharks and Rays" course was designed and taught by R. Aidan Martin, Director of the ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research (www.elasmo-research.org), a Research Associate of the Zoology Department of the University of British Columbia, and an Adjunct Professor of the Oceanographic Center of Nova Southeastern University. Aidan died unexpectedly on February 13, 2007 and the next offering of the course is on hold, pending discussions with his wife, Anne and Dr. Richard Spieler, Director of Academic Programs. For a memorial to Aidan, Click here.

If you register for Biology of Sharks and Rays, you will be expected to make contact with the co-ordinator by e-mail. Please address requests for additional information regarding the Biology of Sharks and Rays distance education course to Email: "Biology of Sharks and Rays" <de-sharks_1 barney mail fred ocean fred nova fred edu>