Republic of the Philippines Date Adopted: ________

ZAMBOANGA STATE COLLEGE OF MARINE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY Revision Status: 2

Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City Revision Date: 7-2020
Tel No. 992-3092/Tel No: (062) 991-0643 Telefax: (062) 991-0777 website: http:www.zscmstedu.ph Recommended by: QMR
Approved by: College President

GRADUATE SCHOOL
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE BIODIVERSITY
OUTCOME-BASED EDUCATION (OBE) COURSE SYLLABUS IN
MBD 280
(Marine Vertebrates)

Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved by: Date of Effectivity:

ALINASSER ALFAD YUSOP DAVID A. ORNADO, Ed.D. AUGUST 2020

Professor and Program Chair Coordinator, Graduate Studies

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I. COLLEGE

VISION: A world-class institution for higher learning, research, development and innovation in fisheries, marine sciences, maritime education,
and technology by 2024.

MISSION: Provide quality education and relevant research and extension to produce globally competitive human capital for fisheries and marine-
based industries.

CORE VALUES: CARE - C-Commitment A-Attitude R-Relationship E- Excellence

II. PROGRAM: MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MARINE BIODIVERSITY

III. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL:

Goals
The ZSCMST Graduate School shall provide quality graduate and post graduate education attuned to the development needs of
Zamboanga Peninsula through research, development, and extension services in the primary areas of the College.

Objectives
The ZSCMST Graduate School aims to: 1) enhance the students’ research capabilities through strong responsibility, competency,
efficiency and professional conduct, and 2) develop a sense of social responsibility and advocacy to human development through
extension services and linkages.

IV. INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Apply the basic concept that underlie each of the functional areas of business and hospitality management
2. Select the proper decision-making tools to critically, analytically and creatively solve problems and drive results.
3. Apply information and communication technology as required in the new normal setting.

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V. PROGRAM OUTCOMES
1. The Master of Science in Marine Biology is a unique program of study equipping its graduates with the knowledge they need to
improve conservation of and improve marine biodiversity in the world’s most diverse and threatened areas like (Zamboanga-
Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi) ZamBaSulTa and eco-regions like the Philippines and its neighboring countries through development
of local capacity and science-based management tools.
2. The program is designed to teach current and future professionals about marine ecosystems from the scientific, economic and
policy perspectives, as well as provide important cultural and communications skills.
3. This program aims to develop in the students their critical thinking and independent research towards the advancement of
knowledge in the field of marine biodiversity.
VI. COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
Course Name MBD 280 – Marine Vertebrates
Course Credits 3 units
Course Description The course introduces students to systematic, morphology, ecology and biology of marine vertebrates (i.e. fishes, sea turtles,
marine birds, and marine mammals). The course will include one credit hour of laboratory work which will concentrate on the
structure, function and habits of marine vertebrates and the ecological interactions of these animals with their biotic and abiotic
surroundings. This subject is delivered in an online environment utilizing available and applicable forms of technology.
Contact Hours/week 3 hours per week
Prerequisite None

VII. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Know what is major groups of fishes such as jawless fishes, cartilaginous fishes, lobefins, and ray finned fishes.
2. Know the biology of Fishes: body shape, fish colouration and patterning, locomotion, respiration and osmoregulation, cardiovascular system,
buoyancy regulation, nervous system and senses, digestion, reproduction, schooling and migration.
3. Know ecology and biology of marine reptiles and birds: Extinct marine reptiles, marine crocodiles, sea turtles, marine iguana, sea snakes,
4. Know scientific information’s on seabirds: adaptation for flight, shorebirds, gulls and their relatives, pelicans and their relatives and Penguin’s.
5. Know the biology and ecology of marine mammals: characteristics of marine mammals, sea otters, polar bears, pinnipeds: seals, sea lions, and
walruses, sirens: manatees and dugongs, cetaceans: whales and their relatives.
6. The course will provide the students with information on systematic, morphology and ecology of marine fishes, marine turtles including marine
birds and marine mammals.
7. The course will provide the students with the basic understanding of the biology of marine fishes, marine turtles including marine birds and marine
mammals.

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 8. The topics covered in this course will allow the students to better comprehend other courses related to marine organisms
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE AND TIMEFRAME

WEEK TOPICS

MID TERM COVERAGE

MODULE 1 – INTODUCTION TO MARINE VERTEBRATES

Origin of Chordates
1-3 Geological Time Scale- Progression of Vertebrates Through Time
Features of Chordates
Evolutionary Advantages of Chordates
Theories on the Origin of Chordates
MODULE 2 – MARINE FISHES
Marine Fishes
Body Shape
Fish coloration and Patterning
Locomotion
4-6 Respiration and Osmoregulation,
Cardiovascular System
Buoyancy Regulation
Nervous System and Senses
Digestion
Reproduction
Schooling and Migration
MODULE 3 – MARINE REPLTILES
Marine Reptiles
Extinct Marine Reptiles
7-8 Marine Crocodiles
Sea Turtles
Marine Iguana
Sea Snakes

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 9 MIDTERM EXAMINATION
FINAL TERM COVERAGE
MODULE 4 – MARINE BIRDS
Seabirds
10-11 Adaptation for Flight
Shorebirds
Gulls and their relatives, pelicans and their relatives and Penguin’s
MODULE 5 – MARINE MAMMALS
Marine mammals
Characteristics of marine mammals
12-15 Sea Otters
Polar Bears
Pinnipeds: seals, sea lions, and walruses,
Sirens: manatees and dugongs,
Cetaceans: whales and their relatives
MODULE 6 – CHALLENGES AND ADVANCES IN VERTEBRATE STUDIES
Challenges affecting Marine Vertebrates
Pollution
16-17 Habitat Loss
Poaching
Endangered Species
Advances in Vertebrate Studies
18 FINAL EXAMINATION

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 LEARNING PLAN
Detailed Learning Course Content/ References Flexible Learning Assessment Tools on Resource Time
Outcomes (DLO) Subject Matter Modalities Flexible Learning Materials Table
Performance Tasks Week 1-2
At the end of the Orientation (6hrs.)
orientation the students o Vision-Mission of the school, Goals Online
Graduate School Manual
must be able to of the graduate school, and  Online Class for Discussing the Vision
 Discuss their role ZSCMST Core Values students with and Mission of the
regarding the vision o Rules and Regulations of the connectivity via College and Graduate
and mission of the Graduate School School through on line  Online gadgets
Google Class/
school, goals of the o Teachers policies and students’ role Using Google class or
Zoom /Messenger/ Zoom  Module
graduate school, o Getting to know through Zoom
and the ZSCMST Videos o Brainstorming &  Laptop
Core Values. Interactives
o Oral Recitation
MODULE 1 – INTODUCTION TO MARINE https://www.iaszoology.co using Google
VERTEBRATES m/chordate-
origin/#:~:text=Chordat
Class
 Discuss the origin of es%20evolved%20from
chordates 1. Origin of Chordates %20some Class Discussion via
 Identify vertebrates’ %20deuterostome,abo Zoom
key features which 2. Geological Time Scale- ut%20400%20million
differs them from other Progression of Vertebrates
%20years%20ago.
organisms  Laptop
Through Time https://www.researchgate  Cell phones
 Identify evolutionary .net/publication/23468
advantages of 3. Features of Chordates 368_Chordate_Origins_
chordates and_Evolution Offline
 Discuss various 4. Evolutionary Advantages of  Modular Approach Activities, Test and

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 theories on the origin Chordates https://academic.oup.com (learning Support Rubrics are included in
of chordates /zoolinnean/article-
Material) for the Module
5. Theories on the Origin of abstract/44/297/252/2
674201? students with no
Chordates redirectedFrom=PDF connectivity.

MODULE 2 – MARINE FISHES http://www.conservationg Online  Brainstorming &

ateway.org/ConservationB  Online Class for Interactive
 Discuss marine 1. Marine Fishes yGeography/NorthAmerica
fishes and its students with Discussions w/
2. Body Shape /UnitedStates/edc/Docum
evolution and origin connectivity via Guided Questions
ents/Chapters-5-8-Marine-
3. Fish coloration and Patterning Fish.pdf Google Class/  Test and Oral
4. Locomotion Zoom /Messenger/ Recitation using
 Identify https://www.researchgate. Videos Google Class  Laptop
representative 5. Respiration and Osmoregulation,  Cell phones Week 3
species of marine 6. Cardiovascular System
net/publication/23567905  Rubrics are in google
9_Marine_fish_diversity_H (with internet (3 hrs.)
fishes 7. Buoyancy Regulation forms; link will be
istory_of_knowledge_and Offline Connectivity)
generated as the
8. Nervous System and Senses _discovery_Pisces  Modular Approach
 Define key features need arises
of marine fishes per 9. Digestion (learning Support
http://www.fao.org/3/a-  Activities, Test
criterion 10. Reproduction Material) for
i6353e.pdf and Rubrics
students with no
11. Schooling and Migration are included in
connectivity.
the Module
MODULE 3 – MARINE REPLTILES https://www.researchgate.  Brainstorming &  Laptop Week 4
net/publication/51800492 Interactive  Cell phones (3 hrs.)
 Discuss marine 1. Marine Reptiles _Marine_Reptiles
reptiles and its Discussions w/
2. Extinct Marine Reptiles Guided Questions (with internet
evolution and origin https://scholarscompass.v
3. Marine Crocodiles  Test and Oral Connectivity)
cu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cg
4. Sea Turtles i? Recitation using
 Identify article=1019&context=csb Google Class
representative 5. Marine Iguana
species of marine 6. Sea Snakes
c_pubs  Rubrics are in google
reptiles forms; link will be
https://www.eolss.net/Sa
mple-Chapters/C09/E2-27- generated as the

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 Define key features 05-06.pdf need arises
of marine reptiles
per criterion https://www.environment.
 Activities, Test
gov.au/system/files/pages
/1670366b-988b-4201-
and Rubrics
94a1- are included in
1f29175a4d65/files/north- the Module
west-report-card-
reptiles.pdf

MIDTERM EXAMINATIONS WEEK 9

MODULE 4 – MARINE BIRDS https://www.thespruce.co Online  Brainstorming & WEEK 10-
m/types-of-seabirds-  Online Class for Interactive 11
 Discuss marine 1. Seabirds 387306
birds and its students with Discussions w/
https://www.birdlife.org/e
evolution and origin 2. Adaptation for Flight connectivity via Guided Questions
urope-and-central-
asia/seabirds-and-marine- Google Class/  Test and Oral
3. Shorebirds Zoom /Messenger/ Recitation using
what-are-seabirds  Laptop
 Identify 4. Gulls and their relatives, pelicans Videos Google Class
representative
https://www.researchgate.  Cell phones
species of marine
net/publication/23266765  Rubrics are in google
and their relatives and Penguin’s 7_Book_review_Biology_o (with internet
birds forms; link will be
f_Marine_Birds Offline Connectivity)
generated as the
https://www.researchgate.  Modular Approach
 Define key features need arises
of marine birds per
net/publication/33565650 (learning Support
3_Biology_of_Marine_Bird Activities, Test and
criterion Material) for
s Rubrics are
students with no
https://www.nps.gov/rlc/o included in the
connectivity.
ceanalaska/upload/marine Module
-birds_508-compliant.pdf
MODULE 5 – MARINE MAMMALS https://www.researchgate. Online  Brainstorming &  Laptop WEEK 12-
net/publication/28187444  Online Class for Interactive  Cell phones 15
 Discuss marine 1. Marine mammals 1_Marine_Mammals_Evol
mammals and its students with Discussions w/
utionary_Biology_Third_Ed
connectivity via Guided Questions (with internet
evolution and origin 2. Characteristics of marine mammals ition
Google Class/  Test and Oral Connectivity)
https://www.elsevier.com/

Page 8 of 11 MBD280
 3. Sea Otters books/marine- Zoom /Messenger/ Recitation using
 Identify mammals/berta/978-0-12- Videos Google Class
representative 4. Polar Bears 397002-2
 Rubrics are in google
species of marine http://dl.booktolearn.com
mammals 5. Pinnipeds: seals, sea lions, and forms; link will be
/ebooks2/science/biology/ Offline
walruses, 9780123970022_Marine_ generated as the
 Define key features  Modular Approach need arises
Mammals_804a.pdf
of marine mammals 6. Sirens: manatees and dugongs, http://www.marinemamm
(learning Support Activities, Test and
per criterion alscience.org/wp- Material) for Rubrics are
7. Cetaceans: whales and their students with no
content/uploads/2014/09/ included in the
relatives MarineMammalsOfTheWo connectivity. Module
rld.pdf

MODULE 6 – CHALLENGES AND https://www.onegreenplan Online  Brainstorming & WEEK 16-

ADVANCES IN VERTEBRATE STUDIES et.org/animalsandnature Interactive 17
 Online Class for
/biggest-threats-marine-
students with Discussions w/
1. Challenges affecting Marine mammals-face-today/
https://www.frontiersin.or connectivity via Guided Questions
Vertebrates g/articles/10.3389/fmars Google Class/  Test and Oral
.2015.00011/full Zoom /Messenger/ Recitation using  Laptop
2. Pollution
https://www.researchgate. Videos Google Class  Cell phones
3. Habitat Loss net/publication/2251059  Rubrics are in google
81_Challenges_to_Marin forms; link will be
4. Poaching (with internet
e_Ecosystems Offline generated as the Connectivity)
https://zrsvn-  Modular Approach
5. Endangered Species varstvonarave.si/wp- need arises
(learning Support Activities, Test and
6. Advances in Vertebrate Studies content/uploads/2019/0
Material) for
9/Boero_1571.pdf Rubrics are
https://www.boell.de/sites students with no included in the
/default/files/web_1706 connectivity. Module
07_ocean_atlas_vektor_
us_v102.pdf
WEEK 18

Reading Lists and Internet Sources:

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 1. https://www.iaszoology.com/chordate-origin/#:~:text=Chordates%20evolved%20from%20some%20deuterostome,about%20400%20million%20years
%20ago.
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23468368_Chordate_Origins_and_Evolution
3. https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article-abstract/44/297/252/2674201?redirectedFrom=PDF
4. http://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationByGeography/NorthAmerica/UnitedStates/edc/Documents/Chapters-5-8-Marine-Fish.pdf
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235679059_Marine_fish_diversity_History_of_knowledge_and_discovery_Pisces
6. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6353e.pdf
7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51800492_Marine_Reptiles
8. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1019&context=csbc_pubs
9. https://www.eolss.net/Sample-Chapters/C09/E2-27-05-06.pdf
10. https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/1670366b-988b-4201-94a1-1f29175a4d65/files/north-west-report-card-reptiles.pdf
11. https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-seabirds-387306
12. https://www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/seabirds-and-marine-what-are-seabirds
13. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232667657_Book_review_Biology_of_Marine_Birds
14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335656503_Biology_of_Marine_Birds
15. https://www.nps.gov/rlc/oceanalaska/upload/marine-birds_508-compliant.pdf
16. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281874441_Marine_Mammals_Evolutionary_Biology_Third_Edition
17. https://www.elsevier.com/books/marine-mammals/berta/978-0-12-397002-2
18. http://dl.booktolearn.com/ebooks2/science/biology/9780123970022_Marine_Mammals_804a.pdf
19. http://www.marinemammalscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/MarineMammalsOfTheWorld.pdf
20. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/biggest-threats-marine-mammals-face-today/
21. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2015.00011/full
22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225105981_Challenges_to_Marine_Ecosystems
23. https://zrsvn-varstvonarave.si/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Boero_1571.pdf
24. https://www.boell.de/sites/default/files/web_170607_ocean_atlas_vektor_us_v102.pdf

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A) Academic Requirements

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  Students are given topics and must be able to report individually using the Google class or Zoom. Soft copy of the handouts and the power point of the
report shall be submitted to the professor on line. Each reporter should also give a soft copy of his/her report to all members of the class. Reflection
papers are to be submitted on line on the days they are due.
 In the event of failure to take major tests and quizzes on line, rescheduling (make up) is possible only if the student/s can present a valid excuse for being
absent.
( i.e., medical certificate)
 Examinations/paper presentation, submission of requirements, non-compliance on these means zero. Late papers will be deducted from the total points.
B) Grading Criteria
 On line class standing (attendance, quizzes, class participation, assignments, practical examinations, projects, and workshop groups) and Major Exam =
100%.
 To pass this course, a student must have a grade of not lower than 2.0.
Note: Research Output shall be submitted In lieu of the major final examination
C) Grading System
Midterm and Final Examinations (Research Output…………………… 30%
Class Standing/Class participation……………………………………… 20%
Assignments/Requirements/OBE Activities….………………………….30%
Reflections/Case Study……………………………………………….….. 20%
____________________________
Total 100%

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