In a First Year Seminar, RIC freshmen discover the fascinating life of sharks.
By Gita Brown
Can sharks learn? How hard do they bite and how is it measured? How do sharks give birth? Taught by Associate Professor of Biology Rebeka Merson, this course explores many questions about shark biology and how researchers study them.
Students dissect skull of shark and examine skin under microscope.
Taking notes about what is observed under the microscope
Drawing of shark skin as it appears under the microscope and describing the traits of the shark’s brain
Associate Professor of Biology Rebeka Merson (left) evaluates this student’s dissection.
Pointing to structures in the shark’s brain
This is a shark embryo (in the gloved hand) and the yolk sac (in the opposite hand). The yolk sac delivers nourishment to the developing embryo during the 24-month gestation period.
