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Kanatous field courses 

Dr. Shane Kanatous teaches a number of field courses. These include a field Marine Ecology course in Mexico, a dolphin course, and a marine biology course. Check out this page for some pictures, videos, and information on those specific courses.

study abroad: Practices in marine ecology- bz435B

Wondering what it might be like to go to Mexico and study marine ecology? Here's a video of the Summer 2018 course.

marine biology- bz415

Course Objective: This upper level course is a mixture of formal lectures, written assignments, discussion groups and student presentations examining the integration of marine organisms and their environment.  The overall goal of the course is to provide a clear understanding of the importance of the marine environment to life on earth.

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Specific course goals

  1. Contrast the properties of the marine and terrestrial environments

  2. Interpret an organism’s form and function in relation to the physical properties of the marine environment

  3. Organize the diversity of marine life into their ecological roles

  4. Describe and discuss food webs from primary producers to apex predators

  5. Demonstrate the importance of the marine environment to the establishment of modern life

  6. Critically and effectively debate and discuss the influence of human populations on the marine environment

Past Marine Biology Student Project

physiological ecology of marine vertebrates- bz515

Course Objective: This course will discuss the various physiological adaptations of vertebrates to the different marine environments.  It will focus on the interaction between the ecology of the environment and the physiological adaptations of the vertebrate that inhabit those marine ecosystems.  

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vertebrates- bz214

Course Objective: To introduce second year students majoring in zoology or biological science to the evolution of the anatomical, morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics of vertebrate animals.

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BZ214 will be a survey of the characteristics that make chordates important, interesting and unique. This class will provide a firm foundation for advanced training in ichthyology, herpetology, ornithology and mammalogy.

Click the poster to the right to learn more about vertebrate evolution! 

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marine mammalogy-bz481A3

Course Objective: This upper level course is a mixture of formal lectures, written assignments, discussion groups and student presentations examining the integration of marine mammals and their environment.  

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Specific course goals

  1. Contrast the properties of the marine and terrestrial environments on the physiological traits of mammals

  2. Interpret an organism’s form and function in relation to the physical properties of the marine environment

  3. Organize the diversity of marine mammals into their ecological roles

  4. Describe and discuss food webs from primary producers to apex predators

  5. Demonstrate the importance of the marine mammals as ambassadors to marine conservation

  6. Critically and effectively debate and discuss the influence of human populations on the marine mammals

  7. Recommend new avenues for the preservation and management of marine mammals

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STUDY ABROAD: DOLPHIN BEHAVIOR & PHYSIOLOGy- BZ435A

The Dolphin Behavior & Physiology field course in Roatan, Honduras is designed to introduce students to the study of animal behavior and the behavioral assessment of physiology using a combination of lectures, readings, discussion, and hands-on research with a captive dolphin population. Lectures will focus on understanding animal behavior and physiology from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Readings and discussion focus on current research and methodology. Fieldwork allows students to develop skills necessary to conduct behavioral assessment of physiology and animal behavior research; and to demonstrate these skills by participating in independent research with senior scientists at the field location(s). The field component for your Animal Behavior course is planned to be at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (Roatan, Honduras). 

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Course Objectives
Students will be able to: 

  • Contrast the unique physiological adaptations of marine and terrestrial mammals

  • Interpret an organism's form and function in relation to the physical properties of the marine environment

  • Organize the diversity of marine mammals into their ecological roles

  • Describe and discuss food webs from primary producers to apex predators

  • Demonstrate the importance of marine mammals in maintaining marine ecosystems

  • Critically and effectively debate and discuss the influence of human populations on marine mammals

  • Recommend new avenues for the preservation and management of marine mammals

  • Be able to discuss the evolutionary history of marine mammals

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