Marine Biology in Puerto Penasco
BIO 149 AH

This is a one week field course in Marine Biology in which we go to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico on the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). It carries one hour of credit as an elective. It is designed for the non major and there are no pre requisites.  You need not take the one semester Marine Biology course to join us!!  We stay in condominiums on the beach and explore the wonderful intertidal expanse of this, Arizona's nearest ocean. The trip fee includes accomodations and all food when in Mexico; tuition and lab fees are extra. The food includes several trip to the fine restaurants of Rocky Point. Also included are the condo accommodations, the vans which take you there, a textbook, a notebook with information on the creatures of the area, a trip to the Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans with a talk on whale ecology and a boat trip to Bird island (Isla de San Jorge) to view and snorkel with a sea lion colony. If you are certified, you may also dive there. If you are not certified in SCUBA but are interested in diving, you can take an "exploratory dive" with a SCUBA instructor for an extra $50 which you can apply towards certification.

We have great fun exploring the area, but this is "No Siesta". Lectures are given on algae, seabirds, fish and marine mammals. Students are assigned to groups responsible for a specific class of invertebrates such as Mollusks, Echinoderms, Sponges or Crustaceans. Living specimens are collected, studied, identified and returned to the ocean.  Students are required to give a group presentation on their class of sea creatures and write a short paper.  A laboratory practical is also given which will test the knowledge learned during the week.  Time is also allotted for snorkeling, shopping and perhaps even dancing!! You must be at least 18 years of age. We also explore the culture and language of Mexico.  Come along for a unique experience!

For more information, see the Marine Biology in Puerto Penasco website maintained by instructor Bonnie Kalison or call her at (480) 461-7112.

Competencies