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Marine Science Courses

  • MARS-106Q. Introduction to Marine Science
    This course is an introduction to the field of marine science, integrating perspectives from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and the social sciences to understand the ocean as a connected system. Students will examine how physical and chemical processes shape marine life, how organisms interact with one another and their environments, and how human societies both depend on and impact the ocean. This course may also include weekday or weekend field trips to support course goals and provide hands-on learning experiences. Three or more hours of meeting time per week, with an equivalent of one semester hour spent on methods of inquiry and/or experimentation. Four semester hours. (Q, S.)

    MARS-381. Internship
    An academic/work experience under the supervision of an internship adviser and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Contact Marine Science Coordinator for further information. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 120 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: 12 credit hours in marine science major courses including MARS-106Q and approval of a faculty internship adviser. Three semester hours. (XLP.)

    MARS-382. Internship
    An academic/work experience under the supervision of an internship adviser and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Contact the Marine Science Coordinator for further information. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 160 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: 12 credit hours in marine science major courses including MARS-106Q and approval of a faculty internship adviser. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    MARS-391. Directed Research
    Laboratory and/or field experiences under the direction of a faculty member and designed to introduce students to fundamental research procedures and data manipulation in the context of an original research project. This course can be taken more than once. Prerequisite: permission of a participating faculty member. Three hours of laboratory per week. Graded S/U. One semester hour.

    MARS-392. Directed Research
    Laboratory and/or field experiences under the direction of a faculty member and designed to introduce students to fundamental research procedures and data manipulation in the context of an original research project. This course can be taken more than once. Prerequisite: permission of a participating faculty member. Six hours of laboratory per week. Graded S/U. Two semester hours.

    MARS-420W. Current Conditions: Marine Science & Changing Seas
    This course explores contemporary issues in marine science. While the topic of the course will change based on faculty expertise, students in this course will synthesize knowledge and skills developed throughout previous coursework and experiences to design, execute, and report on a marine science research project.This course fulfills the capstone requirements for marine science majors and may fulfill the capstone requirements for biology majors depending on the topic of the course. The course contains significant writing, oral, and experiential elements, culminating in a group project. This course may also include weekday or weekend field trips to support course goals. Prerequisites: MARS-106Q, BIO-101Q, and junior or senior standing; or permission of the instructor. Three or more hours of meeting time per week. Four semester hours.

    MARS-481. Independent Research
    Laboratory, field, or other scholarly investigation within the field of marine science. This original work includes library-assisted preparation of final written and oral presentation products intended for a faculty/student colloquium. Pre- or co-requisites: junior or senior standing, and written consent of a faculty member who will serve as research adviser. This course may be taken more than once for credit. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    MARS-491. Honors in Marine Science
    This course is open to eligible candidates for departmental honors. This original work is comprised of an independent project including laboratory, field, or other scholarly investigation within the field of marine science. The preparation of a written status report and an oral scientific presentation for this original work is required. Pre- or co-requisites: junior or senior standing, and written consent of the marine science faculty member who will serve as research adviser. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    MARS-492W. Honors in Marine Science
    This course is open to candidates for departmental honors who are eligible to continue on from MARS-491. This original work is comprised of an independent project including laboratory, field, or other scholarly investigation within the field of marine science and builds on the work in MARS-491. The preparation of both a written and oral report based on library-assisted research is required. This continuation of MARS-491 fulfills the capstone, oral and writing requirements within the major. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, written consent of a faculty member who will serve as research adviser. Four semester hours. (XLP.)