Research Guides: Affordable Learning @ Savannah State University: An initiative to promote student success by providing affordable alternatives to textbooks : Marine Science

Open Textbooks - MARINE SCIENCE

Biology by Yael Avissar, Jung Choi, Jean DeSaix, Vladimir Jurukovski, Robert Wise, Connie Rye
Publication Date: 2013
Biology is grounded in an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand. To meet the needs of today’s instructors and students, some topics have been condensed and combined; for example, phylogenetic trees are presented in the various ways they are currently being developed by scholars, so instructors can adapt their teaching to the approach that works best in their classroom. The book also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand—and apply—key concepts.
Evolution of Physical Oceanography by Various Authors, MIT
This is a free, online textbook that is organized in Four Parts, with the ability to download .pdf files of each chapter. According to the authors, "The technical section of this book is divided into four general categories: General Ocean Circulation (chapters 1-7); Physical Processes in Oceanography (chapters 8-13); Techniques of Investigation (chapters 14-16); Ocean and Atmosphere (chapters 17-18). Within each of these categories will be found several chapters, each of which discusses a broad aspect of physical oceanography or its relationship to an allied field. We asked the authors to respond to the question, "What is the state of the subject today and how did we arrive there? " Where appropriate, we sought emphasis on a description of the evolution of the subject over the past 40 years. Thus, most of these chapters differ from conventional review articles both in their historical sweep and in their depth of coverage. The book looks both backward and forward in time."
Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Bob Stewart
Publication Date: 2008
"Introduction to Physical Oceanography," is a textbook for upper-division college students and new graduate students in oceanography, meteorology, and ocean engineering. The text is available for download in PDF format for personal use or for use by students.
Marine Pollution by Geert Potters
Publication Date: 2013
Our oceans are under attack, as our garbage, wastewater, toxic spills, … influence the quality of life of their inhabitants: animals become ill, the food web is hampered, algae overrun all other forms of life. Lately, there is the growing concern about plastic patches in the sea, underwater noise and invasive species. This book on marine pollution describes these different threats to life in the oceans, as well as the relevant modern research methods. It ends with a description on international legislation preventing pollution by the maritime sector (MARPOL73/78).
Our Ocean Planet: Environmental Science in the 21st Century by Robert Steward
Publication Date: 2008
This book contains material used for an Environmental Geoscience course for first-year college students interested in majoring in the subject.

Supplemental Open Access Resources

- This site is a well designed study on the various terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biomes of the world. Each biome has a separate set of pages that address geographic locations, characteristics, types of organisms found, a galery of images, and links to other sites concerned with that biome.

Bridge - Ocean Sciences Education Teacher Resource Center (Website/Database)

- The Bridge is an annotated metasite offering online information for marine science educators and students. With sections on Biology, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Climate & Atmosphere, Technology, and Use & Management, the site will not disappoint educators.

Marine Invertebrate Anatomy (Website/Tutorial)

- In this lesson, learners will examine invertebrate diversity and compare marine invertebratesäóť anatomy with those of humans. At the California Academy of Sciences, learners will go on an ocean scavenger hunt to become familiar with four of the invertebrate phyla. Their worksheet includes spaces to write about the animal's anatomy and its environment, and record examples of each. Wafter their visit to the Academy, learners can choose one of the marine invertebrates they found on their scavenger hunt and write a paragraph about the similarities and differences between its body parts and those of humans. The lesson plan includes trivia cards to learn interesting facts, creative extension ideas, and resources for educators.

Marine Mapping (Website/Tutorial)

- The marine environment is unique and requires technologies that can use sound to gather information since there is little light underwater. The sea-floor is characterized using underwater sound and acoustical systems. Current technological innovations are allowing scientists to further understand and apply information about animal locations and habitat. Remote sensing and exploration with underwater vehicles allows scientists to map and understand the sea floor. Similar technologies also aid in animal tracking, a method used within science and commercial industries. The teacher will use inquiry-based learning techniques to teach students the importance of habitat mapping and animal tracking.