Contributing to Scientific Understanding

This course offers students a unique entry point into scientific research and exploration, focusing on marine biology and ecology. Students can choose from a variety of projects, such as conducting literature reviews, contributing to iNaturalist or Wikipedia, or creating science communication blogs/websites. They will also engage in nature journaling to develop observation skills and participate in webinars discussing projects and learning about marine creatures, ecosystems, or phenomena. The course encourages scientific thinking, pattern recognition, and communication skills through unusual yet accessible avenues. It is designed for those seeking hands-on scientific practice beyond traditional research projects and can be taken repeatedly with new topics each semester.