This course follows on from Marine studies I, extending your knowledge of a wide variety of marine organisms.  It works through many types of marine organisms, focusing mostly on those not covered as thoroughly in Marine Studies I (This includes: Protists, Sponges, Marine plants, Cnidarians, Worms, Arthropods, Molluscs, Echinoderms, Non Bony Fish, Selected Bony Fish and selected Marine Mammals).

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction & Simple Organisms (Protists, Sponges etc)
2. Marine Plants
3. Cnidarians & Worms
4. Arthropods
5. Molluscs
6. Echinoderms
7. Non Bony Fishes
8. Bony Fishes I
9. Bony Fishes II
10. Marine Mammals

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school\'s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Describe the variety and nature of microscopic animals which occur in marine environments.
• Describe the variety and nature of a range of different types of marine plants.
• Describe the variety and nature of a range of different types of cnidarians and marine worms.
• Describe the variety and nature of arthropods in marine environments.
• Describe the variety and nature of Molluscs in marine environments.
• Differentiate between different classes of Echinoderms and selected families within those classes.
• Describe the shared characteristics and distinguishing features of a selection of different species of non-bony fish.
• Describe characteristics of bony fish, including anatomy, physiology and behaviour.
• Differentiate between different families of bony fish.
• Describe the taxonomic characteristics of groups of marine animals including reptiles, birds and mammals.

• Draw a table to compare three different phyla of marine protists.
• Explain the differences between sponges, krill and plankton.
• Produce a table that compares the characteristics of the three different types of algae.
• Explain the difference between seaweed and seagrass.
• How important are marine plants to the survival of marine animals?
• Explain features that distinguish different types of worms apart, including:
  • Flatworms
  • Ribbon Worms
  • Segmented Worms
  • Peanut Worms
• Present a report on research on the Cnidarians.
• Explain the formation of coral reefs. Why are they considered one of the most biologically productive environments?
• What are the advantages of the arthropod’s body structure compared to the structure of the less complex animals studied so far in this course?
• Research the living environments of one local arthropod and consider how its body structure and feeding mechanism is adapted to its environment.
• What limitations in lifestyle and behaviour might be imposed by the structure of arthopods?