Introductory marine science classes are tremendously popular on college campuses across the country. They can be superbly rewarding experiences for both students and instructors. Typically, these classes last for a single semester, and are based mainly on lectures, perhaps with a field trip to the coast, or coastal waters, where possible. Very little, if any, prior science knowledge is required, making the courses accessible to science and nonscience majors alike. Indeed, these classes are partly so popular because they deliver natural-science credits toward a nonscience major’s distribution (general education) requirement.

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