Course Description

After completing their gateway biology courses (sophomore or junior year) marine biology students at BGSU enroll in a required Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) called BIOL 3700: Introduction to Inland Marine Research. This course teaches advanced aquarium husbandry, along with aquarium sciences, and aquarium research methods. Other skills taught in the class include scientific design, data collection, and analysis.

The course theme is “reef ecology and conservation” and a large portion of the course is dedicated to conducting research with coral fragments housed in the BGSU Marine Lab. Students work in small groups to answer questions concerning the morphology and growth rates of a variety of coral species based on variables such as water flow (pattern or intensity), light (cycle, color, or intensity), or diet (food type, frequency, or amount). Results are uploaded to a public database to address the long-term goal of predictably inducing corals to spawn in aquaria. Data are shared publically with interested stakeholders.

Course Theme

In this course, we would like to contribute to the global discussion of coral bleaching, reef ecology, and reef conservation in a meaningful way. If we can’t stop coral bleaching in the oceans, can we keep corals thriving and spawning in closed systems until the problems facing our oceans have been addressed? Currently, very few people can do this.

• The BGSU marine biology program focuses on aquarium sciences and Dr. Partin has over 30 years of professional experience keeping and propagating corals in captivity.
• Sub-Themes: Students enrolled in the CURE course (BIOL 3700) will be asked to conduct research on coral fragments housed in the BGSU Marine Lab overseen by Dr. Partin.
  • Propagating and rearing corals in captivity has tremendous significance in both the biomedical and conservation biology realms. Metabolites isolated from some soft corals display antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties [17]. Also, the structure and chemical composition of stony coral is similar to bone, making it suitable for bone grafting, and avoiding some of the problems accompanying the use of other materials [18]. On the conservation side, aquaculture of coral offers an alternative to wild harvest for the ornamental trade and shows considerable promise for restoring reefs and preserving biodiversity [19].
  • Students in the CURE course (BIOL 3700) will work in groups to answer questions concerning the morphology and growth rates of a variety of coral species based on variables such as water flow (pattern or intensity), light (cycle, color, or intensity), or diet (food type, frequency, or amount).
  • The technology and knowledge required to keep corals thriving in captivity are fairly new. As a result, there is very little literature describing these types of projects, making them novel and authentic research experiences with genuine applications in the biological sciences.
  • Other potential subthemes: Are sunscreens poisoning our reefs? Do they affect sexual reproduction in corals? Are sea urchins suitable models for coral reproduction? Does oxybenzone affect fertilization rates among sea urchins? Growth rates of coral vs flow, light, etc.

Student Goals

1. Practice aquarium/coral husbandry skills, hypothesis development, collaboration, data collection, and data analysis.
2. Articulate the project’s importance and effectively communicate the results of the study.
3. Gain self-efficacy for research & Identify as scientists. Gain metacognitive knowledge and self-regulation.

Research Goals

1. Determine ideal light, flow, and/or food parameters for various species of coral.
2. Induce corals to predictably spawn in aquaria (long-term goal).