This course is part of a partnership with the Semester in Biological Discovery (SBD) Program of Marine Biological Laboratories (MBL). The SBD program is designed for students interested in biology or biology-adjacent fields and have completed introductory level courses in biology and chemistry. Students accepted to this program will spend the spring semester at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA. Please see this link for more information on the SBD program: https://www.mbl.edu/education/undergraduate-programs/semester-biological-discovery. Prior to submitting your application to MBL’s Semester in Biological Discovery program, you must meet with the Chair of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics department to discuss your interest and get permission to apply to this program. Since applications to the MBL SBD program are due in the fall semester, you must meet with the Chair in the preceding spring semester or by the first week in the fall semester. Once you have received approval from the Chair you must submit an application to MBL’s Semester in Biological Discovery program. In this course, students will have the opportunity to explore the large diversity of marine species distributed in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and its surroundings. We will combine fieldwork with anatomy, development, genomics and bioinformatics to study different aspects of the evolution, ecology, taxonomy, physiology and biogeography of marine organisms in this unique location. Students will integrate knowledge and analytical tools from different biological disciplines to develop short research projects. During the three weeks of the course, student will interact with local researchers, have access to Marine Biological Laboratory facilities and specimen collections, participate in ongoing research projects, and contribute novel data and information to advance our understating of Earth’s marine biodiversity. This course is one of two electives – students can select between Biodiversity: Exploring the Marine Diversity of Woods Hole Using Molecular Tools or Imaging for Biological Research. This course satisfies the Intermediate Level Course requirements for the Interdisciplinary Science Major. Permission required to register for this course.