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.