From Periwinkles to Pilot Whales: Investigation on Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay
MET ES 141
Examines the flora and fauna of the Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay ecosystems on the beach, at the shore, in the Harbor Islands, and on the waters of Boston Harbor and Mass Bay. With 50 miles of protected water, four sheltered bays, seven river systems, dozens of islands, and a nine-foot average tide, Boston Harbor is one of the most diverse urban ecosystems in America. Students keep daily records of their experiences, record and analyze data for a research paper, and learn to use GIS Datalayers, species maps, and field work guides. 4 cr.

Top

Coastal Environments of Massachusetts
MET ES 241
Focuses on the geology and natural history of the Massachusetts North and South Shores, including Cape Cod and the Islands. Many protected areas featuring harbors and tidal flats, which contrast with the high-energy shorelines facing the high swells of open Atlantic Ocean, serve as ideal natural laboratories for studying this geologically young and ever-changing landscape. The course explores major landforms produced by melting glaciers at the end of the Great Ice Age and the role of severe storms, sea-level rise, and human impact in shaping the region's coastline over the past 10,000 years. The lecture series is complemented by two Saturday field trips to the North Shore and South Shore/Cape Cod. 4 cr.

Top