This course is designed to explore the great frontier of Earth’s oceans. Combining aspects of Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry, Marine Science is a 2-semester course that attempts to explain the oceans’ significant impacts in the sea and on land. The coursework includes collaborative discussion, hands-on activities, and scientific modeling to answer important questions about them. First semester MS focuses on the physical and chemical properties of the ocean, which are integral to understanding the biology of the marine world. This includes plate tectonics, ocean currents, tides, and water chemistry. 2nd-semester topics shift to living marine organisms ranging from microscopic invertebrates to the largest animals ever to have existed on the planet. Throughout each semester, it is common practice to analyze the impacts of global climate change on ocean properties and, thus the entire planet. This class requires students to actively participate, logically use evidence to prove scientific claims, and meet the rigorous demands of an upper-division science class. Students will spend 48 hours each semester in lab time completing lab activities as outlined in the curriculum.