BIOL 4030 Deep-Sea Biology
Roughly 80% of habitable space on this planet is in the ocean below 1000 meters where sunlight never reaches. In this course we will dive into this rarely visited habitat that occupies the majority of our biosphere. We will take an interdisciplinary approach, as studying the deep requires the integration of geology, chemistry, ecology, physiology, and engineering. We will investigate fundamental aspects of biology such as how organisms adapt to challenges posed by their environment. Students will also gain an appreciation for how much of the planet remains unexplored and learn how scientists study the inaccessible ecosystems of the deep.
Course overview
- Department
- Biology
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Annually
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- BIOL2010
Requirements fulfilled
- Biology B.A.: 3000-level-or-higher Biology elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biology B.S.: 3000-level-or-higher Biology elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biology B.A.: Advanced Experience (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Biology B.S.: Advanced Experience (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Biodiversity Conservation: One Upper-Level Ecology Course (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.01 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.36 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 7
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Heather Olins | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 39 of 45 |
| Summer 2025 | Heather Olins | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 3.6 | 10+ hrs/week | 7 of 7 |
| Spring 2025 | Heather Olins | 3.5 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 39 of 45 |
| Summer 2024 | Heather Olins | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 10+ hrs/week | 13 of 17 |
| Spring 2024 | Heather Olins | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 7–9 hrs/week | 35 of 38 |
| Spring 2023 | Heather Olins | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | — | 34 of 40 |
| Spring 2022 | Heather Olins | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 31 of 45 |