In this course, students will study structure, evolution, physiology, and biomechanics to investigate how vertebrates use anatomy to interface with the marine environment. Activities include marine mammal necropsies, trawling, whale watching, trips to the intertidal, and visits to nearby seal and seabird colonies. Each student will complete an independent research project on a topic within the field of anatomy and function.

Learning outcomes for this course include:

• Identify structural adaptations of marine vertebrates from the various anatomical systems;
• Demonstrate good dissection technique;
• Understand mechanisms of animal movement by integration of structural mechanics, muscle physiology, kinematics and fluid mechanics;
• Examine evolutionary pathways and selective pressures for the development of anatomical systems to function in the marine environment.

Internship opportunity: This course is recommended experience for SML's Marine Mammal Internship.

"This two week course prepared me more for med school than any other college class I took!" - Maya Koretzky (AFMV '11, AFMV TA '12, John Hopkins School of Medicine entering class 2015)