Course Description

Principles of Evolutionary Biology

This class introduces basic evolutionary biology theory demonstrating that all biological studies can be eventually interpreted evolutionarily. The topics include the history of the evolution concept, evolutionary ecology, biological variatiability, population genetics, speciation, adaptation and biodiversity. The course teaches concept of hierarchical biological organization from the molecular level, through levels of the individual and species up to coevolution between species, and community organization. Finally the relationships between systematics, biogeography and evolution will be introduced, as well as numerical methods for inferring phylogeny.

Underwater Biological Research Methods

This course is intended for students with minimal training and background knowledge in sampling design, collection, monitoring and analysis of marine ecological data in situ. We concentrate on the development of sampling strategies, experiments, tools of underwater science and technology. The research targets of marine organisms may extend from micro-organisms through higher marine vertebrates.

Advanced Reef Fish Ecology

This course examines current topics in the ecology of coral reef fishes, from individuals to ecosystems, with particular focus on Taiwan:

(1) Ecology of individuals -- interactions among individual fishes and between fishes and their environment. Topics include: habitat, prey, mate and spawning site selection, predator avoidance, territoriality, schooling and migration.

(2) Population Ecology -- factors affecting the size and structure of reef fish populations, including larval processes and recruitment and the factors influencing processes such as growth, mortality, development and resource competition.

(3) Community Ecology -- factors promoting co-existence and the maintenance of species diversity, from traditional to contemporary views.

(4) Role of fish in reef ecosystems.

Advanced Community Ecology

This course introduces the recent theoretical developments or hot topics of community ecology, including community definitions, characteristics, formation, and succession as well as the temporal or spatial changes of community structure, speciation or interactions among species in the community. Other topics are coevolution, theory of equilibrium (island biogeography) and relationships with environment and ecosystems.

The course will especially emphasize the coral reef, mangrove, estuary and muddy bottom communities. Finally the use of community structure or function as an indicator to monitor, analyze, and evaluate the marine ecological environments will be presented.

Numerical Taxonomy

Numerical taxonomy is a new and developing science that teaches biologists how to use computers as a tool and apply a variety of multivariate statistical techniques to analyze biological data, especially in systematics and ecology. Numerical taxonomy has very broad applications since the data to be analyzed may be gathered from morphological, ecological, cytological, biochemical, molecular or other studies. This one semester course can only briefly introduce the basic principles, advantages and disadvantages, methods, and their applications. The following techniques will be covered: coding methods, taxonomic resemblance, clustering, ordination, and phenetic, cladistic, and consensus methods.

Biosystmeatics

This course introduces the fundamental theory, methods and purposes of biological systematics to provide a solid theoretical background to students who are going to do systematic, taxonomic, ecological or evolutional studies of marine life. Regardless of the organism picked-whether seaweeds, invertebrates or vertebrates-students will gain a better understanding of population and species concepts. The course also includes preliminary training in the theory and practices both of the phenetic and cladistic schools.

Marine Microbiology

This course will provide information on the current understanding in marine microbiology. Emphasis will be placed on the marine environment, microbiological methods, quantification of marine microbial populations, taxonomy of marine microorganisms and ecology and microbiology of the deep sea.

Marine Environment and Pollution

This course deals with the status and major dynamics of the marine environment, which includes marine contaminants, human activities affecting the sea, biological effects, climate change effects and prevention and control of marine pollution.

Carcinology

The characteristics and natural history of the various crustacean groups are described. The evolutionary relationships amongst the various groups of crustaceans are also discussed.

Marine Invertebrate Zoology

The characteristics and natural history of the various classes or orders of marine invertebrates are described. The evolutionary relationships amongst the various marine invertebrates groups are also discussed.

Animal Behavior

The adaptive values and evolution of the various kinds of animal behaviors such as feeding behavior, mating behavior and agnostic behavior are discussed. The different theories and models used in studying animal behavior are explained in detail. Methods used in empirical and experimental studies on animal behavior are described.

Zooplankton

The aim of this course is to illustrate and explain the way zooplankton "make a living" in nature. The order copepods is the major zooplankton community component. Therefore, copepods biology is emphaisized. The goal will be not only to delineate how copepods adapt to the ocean environment, but also to consider the forces behind those adaptations. An important feature of the topics will be to describe the basic concepts of ecology and behavior of zooplankton.

Biological Applications of Laser Video Microscopy

Biological research applications for laser video microscopy have been developed only recently, yet. This technique is now commonly being applied to study the ecology and behavior of microscopic organisms. The goal of the course is to enhance our understanding of how microscopic organisms can exist and adapt to their particular ocean niche. The behavior of these tiny animals can be visualized by using laser video optic set-up to improve our understanding of microscopic world.

Cnidarian Biology

The purpose of this course is to discuss the ecology and behaviour of members of the phylum Cnidarian. Cnidarians are a major component of the coral reef community. The scope of the course will illustrate the feeding, symbiosis, predator-avoidance behaviour and reproductive biology of cnidarians.

Sensory Biology and Behavior of Aquatic Animals

The purpose of this course is to develop within students an under-standing of ideas, concepts and techniques among current research concerned with the various sensory modalities employed by a variety of animal species in extracting information from the aquatic environment. A major component of the course will focus on the topics of relationship of chemoreception, mechanoreception and vision on the behaviour of aquatic animals.

Benthic Marine Algae Taxonomy, Community Ecology and Biogeography

Along with phytoplankton, benthic marine algae are of critical importance to ecosystem function, regardless of whether the scale is small or global. Photosynthetic organisms, or ecosystem producers, provide the basic energy compounds and oxygen and therefore are the basis of ecosystem relations. The courses offered on these topics deal with basic biology, identification of Taiwan's common genera and species, history and techniques of seaweed studies, collection and curation methodologies and analysis of species-group relationships and small-scale to global distribution patterns.

Computer Applications in Biogeography

Biogeographic analysis includes a large variety of recording and assessment techniques including specimen comparison, database analysis, molecular biology comparison, geographic techniques and imagery comparison. This course defines the fundamental factors in different analysis routes and provides practice for all students with examples emphasizing Taiwan's biogeographic characteristics.

Phycology Seminar

This course offers an opportunity for weekly journal paper reading and discussion among students interested in phycology. Each semester emphasizes a different topic.

Introduction to Marine Biogeography

This course begins with an overview of this field of study, then with the aid of a student study guide, the students will be led through a series of over 10 readings (mostly in English) representing main historical points and current major lines of thought in this field. The final project is a student research report on one specific topic in the field.

Seaweed Identification [Lab Course]

Seaweeds of numerous species grow thickly on the NE coast of Taiwan. In this course students will learn principles of identifying seaweeds, and practice these on the common seaweeds of the NE coast. We take an extremely practical approach to seaweed identification, beginning with presentation and class practice recognizing 30 of the most common genera. Early in the semester students begin group work developing and testing easy to use descriptions at the level of species. Course includes field trips. This class is suitable for both graduate and undergraduate students. 

Topics on copepod feeding ecology

The purpose of this course will illustrate feeding ecology of copepods and demonstrate their behavior in laboratory as well as in nature. The order copepods is the major group of zooplankton. Therefore, the feeding ecology of copepods will be the main of the course.

Biological Electron Microscopy

The course introduces the fundamental techniques of biological  electron microscopy, including specimen preparation, critical point dryer, sputter, ion evaporator, microtome, SEM, TEM and dark room techniques. After atlending this course the students are encouraged to do research with electron microscopy by themselves.

Analytical Electron Microscopy  

Scanning  transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalyer(EDX) is used to study biological specimens. Sample preparation of biological material for microanalysis will be practised.

Advanced Electron Microscopy ( I )

High resolution performence of electron microscope will be practised. Negative stains for bacteria, phase, virus and/or protein are introduced.

Advanced Electron Microscopy ( II )

Cryo-preparation for biological material is emphasized. Cryosection with microtome is practised. Immunocytochemical techniques in electron microscopy is described and practised.

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