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MARINE SCIENCES (MAS) |
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| MAS 511 |
Marine
Analytical Methods |
3 cr |
|
| This course will provide an introduction to the analytical methods most commonly used in marine sciences: spectrometry, fluorometry, colorimetry, gas and liquid chromatography and the use of radio-isotopes. The course will consist of lectures covering the theory of each method and laboratory exercises in their use. Throughout, there will be a focus on the quality of the data being collected, as derived from quantitative assessments of accuracy, precision and repeatability; and propagation of errors. Students will be assessed on problem-sets based on data collected in the labs and on a research project using instruments and techniques of their choice. |
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| MAS 520 |
Marine
Resource Management |
2 cr |
|
| Designed
to acquaint graduate students concerned with management
of marine resources; development of legislation,
evolution of policy, legal processes, impacts
on human resources. The emphasis will be placed
on living resources. Prerequisites: Admission
to Graduate School. |
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| MAS 521 |
Marine
Conservation Biology |
2 cr |
|
| The
intent of this course is to develop the student's
understanding of conservation biology, by building
upon the foundations provided in introductory
marine ecology class. Assigned readings will be
selected from the widest possible range of topics
in marine conservation. In some cases, readings
will come from disciplines outside the marine
sciences. Students will be required to develop
a topical term paper and give a short presentation
to their class on their chosen topic. |
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| MAS 530 |
Marine
Microbial Ecology |
3 cr |
|
| A general survey of the types of micro-organisms found in the marine environment. Emphasis will be on the interaction of microorganisms with each other and with their environment. In particular, the role of microorganisms in carbon cycling and biogeochemical processes will be stressed. Readings from current literature will expose students to the latest techniques and research. |
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| MAS 531 |
Physiological Ecology of Marine Microalgae |
3 cr |
|
| Microalgae are a fundamental component of marine ecosystems, whether as freely-dispersed plankton, sediment-associated microphytobenthos, epiphytes growing over submerged aquatic vegetation, or as coralline endosybionts. This course will cover the acclimative responses to variations in the availability of light, nutrients and temperature; and the stress responses that are engendered when variability in theses environmental factors exceeds the organisms' acclimative capacity. The course will emphasize the commonality of these processes across taxa as well as considering taxon-specific responses that allow different groups to exploit their niches. The course will also cover methods such as molecular biology, active fluorescence and remote sensing that can be used to investigate population dynamics and growth over a range of spatial and temporal scales. |
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| MAS 540 |
Sediment
Biogeochemistry |
3 cr |
|
| To
provide students with an in depth knowledge of
sediment biogeochemical processes and the implications
thereof on nutrient cycles, plant production and
animal distribution. Emphasis will be on early
diagenesis in coastal sub-tidal and wetland sediment
systems. Prerequisite: Chemical Oceanography or
permission of instructor. Fee. |
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| MAS 548 |
Marine
Biogeochemical Processes |
2 cr |
|
| The
course will examine the interaction between biological,
chemical and geological processes in the marine
environment. This will be done by first reviewing
the cycling of several of the major elements (e.g.
carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, and iron)
in the sea, and then examining how these cycles
differ between various marine ecosystems (e.g.
open ocean surface waters, estuaries, coral reefs,
seagrass systems and tidal marshes). The focus
will be on developing an understanding of how
biogeochemical processes serve to regulate ecosystem
function in these various habitats. Prerequisite:
Organic chemistry, geology, and marine ecology. |
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| MAS 550 |
Fisheries
Techniques |
3 cr |
|
| Students
are exposed to a detailed, semi-quantitative introduction to current biological and technological
methodologies for studying fishes and aquatic
habitats, with emphasis on study design and integration
across sub-disciplines. Prerequisites: Ichthyology
(or Marine Vertebrate Zoology) or an introductory
course in Fisheries. Introductory Statistical
Methods would be valuable but not required. |
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| MAS 551 |
Quantitative Methods in Fisheries and Ecology |
3 cr |
|
| Ecological and fisheries research has progressed beyond qualitative inference and is continuing to adapt more quantitative methods. A diversity of modeling and experimental approaches exists for ecologists and fisheries scientists. This course is designed to familiarize the students with the most commonly used quantitative approaches. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. |
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| MAS 555 |
Fisheries
Oceanography |
2 cr |
|
| Students
examine the relationship between fish life history,
recruitment dynamics and harvest potential, and
local-, meso- and global scale oceanographic processes.
Students are exposed to the evolution in thinking
on the role of interaction between biology and
physics relative to fish and fisheries. This "readings"
type course, by design, is geared toward student
participation at an advanced and interactive level. |
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| MAS 570 |
Ocean
Variability and Global Change |
2 cr |
|
| This
course will examine large scale, spatial and temporal
variability in the Earth/ ocean system as evidenced
by present-day and paleo records. Variability
such as the El Nino Southern Oscillation will
be covered. It will critically evaluate the evidence
for and the consequences of modern global change
as it pertains to the marine environment. Emphasis
will be placed on potential changes in climate,
biogeochemical cycles, hydrologic cycles, eutrophication/species
diversity, and UV light fluxes. Prerequisites:
Permission of one of the instructors. |
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| MAS 571 |
Marine
Hydrodynamics/ Biomechanics |
4 cr |
|
| To
present an introduction to the importance of small
scale fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and solid
mechanics to marine science and to present techniques
for measurement of important parameters. Prerequisite:
Upper-Division/Graduate standing in Biology or
Marine Sciences. |
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| MAS 572 |
Estuarine Hydrodynamics |
3 cr |
|
| This course will address physical processes in estuarine environments. With physical processes in estuaries occurring in various timescales, discussions will proceed in terms of three different time scales: turbulent, tidal, and residual time scales. Emphasis will be placed on mass transport by physical transport process (water movement). Prerequisite: Physical Oceanography or permission of the instructor. |
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| MAS 573 |
Oceanography
of the Gulf of Mexico |
3 cr |
|
| This
course provides a survey of the physics, chemistry,
biology, geology and meteorology of the continental
margins and deep ocean regions in the Gulf of
Mexico and adjacent waters. Prerequisite: Permission
of the instructor. |
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| MAS 575 |
Marine
Ecology |
4 cr |
|
| The
course covers general ecological principles and
how they apply to marine ecosystems. Both open
ocean and nearshore waters are considered. Specific
topics covered include: adaptations of marine
organisms for life in the intertidal vs. subtitle
zones; different modes of feeding and reproduction
in marine organisms; and the importance of predation,
competition, adult/larval interactions and dispersal
mechanisms. The second half of the course is devoted
to discussion of specific habitats including:
coral reefs, mangrove swamps, kelp forests, and
hydrothermal vents. Prerequisite: General Biology,
Marine Biology, or Oceanography. |
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| MAS 576 |
Benthic
Ecology |
2 cr |
|
| This
course covers the evolutionary history and the
ecology of marine benthic communities from the
earliest fossils to present. The importance of
scale and of proper study design will be considered.
Other topics include: predation, competition,
adult/larval interactions and dispersal mechanisms.
There will be discussion of productivity, and
materials cycling in benthic systems. Special
topics of students' suggestions conclude the course.
Prerequisite: Marine Ecology/or General Ecology. |
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| MAS 579 |
Coastal
Ecosystem Dynamics |
2 cr |
|
| Coastal
Ecosystem Dynamics will allow students to investigate
the basic principles of ecosystem structure and
function. The course is divided into 2 parts:
an instructional phase for learning basics of
ecosystem modeling, and a student-led investigation
of the structure and function of a variety of
coastal ecosystems. This approach will give the
student a set of quantitative tools for modeling
ecosystems. Also, students will learn to evaluate
differences and similarities of energy and nutrient
processing in disparate ecosystems. There will
be one 2-hr class meeting each week during which
students will learn to use the ecological modeling
software packages "Ecopath" and "Ecosim".
During the initial period, students will "dissect"
published models (obtained from the internet)
as a mechanism to understand the utility of ecosystem
modeling as well as the basics of this particular
software. The second half of the course will be
devoted to student-constructed ecosystem models.
The models will be constructed from data and pathway
descriptions in Alongi's 'Coastal Ecosystem Processes'
(CPR Press). A synthesis of these models will
be constructed and placed on the WWW. |
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| MAS 580 |
Marine
Biogeography and Paleoecology |
3 cr |
|
| This
graduate level course will give students a broad
overview of the time course of evolutionary changes
in the structure and function of marine ecosystems,
and will consider the interacting roles of both
historical and current factors as they influence
the distribution and abundance of marine organisms.
Lectures will be mixed with discussions of assigned
readings from the primary literature to stimulate
critical thinking about various topics. Prerequisite:
An introductory ecology or marine ecology course. |
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| MAS 581 |
Advanced
Marine Ecology |
2 cr |
|
| This
course will improve students' understanding of
ecological processes by building upon the foundations
provided in an introductory ecology class. Emphasis
will be placed on the mechanisms that control
the distribution of marine plants and animals
at scales ranging from individual organism to
the ecosystem. Assigned readings from the scientific
literature will cover the entire range of marine
habitats and will reflect classical-to-recent
thinking on the major concepts and problems in
ecological theory. Quantitative laboratory exercises
will train students in the design and statistical
analysis of marine ecological studies. |
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| MAS 582 |
Marine
Larval Ecology |
2 cr |
|
| This
course introduces the student to the breadth of
scientific research involving larvae of marine
animal populations. Though a small portion of
the course will be devoted to a taxonomic survey
of the larval forms of marine species, the vast
majority of the course will be process-oriented,
often cutting across boundaries between biology,
physics and chemistry. The scope of the course
will include nutrition and feeding, dispersal
and recruitment, bio-energetics, behavior, and
biophysical coupling. This course is reading intensive
focusing on both historical and topical articles
from the primary literature. Prerequisites: Biological
Oceanography or Advanced Ecology. |
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| MAS 583 |
Field
Marine Science I |
2 cr |
|
| The
Field Marine Science course will consist of an
11 day field exercise in representative coastal
sites in Maine with emphasis on rocky intertidal,
kelp bed and eelgrass habitats. Two faculty members
will accompany the students, participate in the
pre-trip readings and evaluate the product developed
by each student. Prerequisite: Marine Biology. |
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| MAS 584 |
Oceanographic Experience |
3 cr |
|
| This course provides students with practical skills involved in oceanographic research. Skills may include hydrographic, hydroacoustic and organismic sampling, gear deployment and use of analytical instrumentation at sea. Students participate in one or more oceanographic cruises during a semester and carry out a defined project using research tools available on the ship. A final report on the project forms the major part of the course grade. Cruises are available only on an ad hoc basis so permission of instructor is required. |
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| MAS 585 |
Marine Zooplankton |
3 cr |
|
| This course familiarizes the student with the taxonomic breadth of estuarine and marine zooplankton ranging from protistans through all major phyla of metazoa. Though the focus of the course is on taxonomic familiarization, basic biology (including reproduction and feeding) of all major taxa represented in the plankton will be covered. Students will also learn basic and advanced field collection, laboratory and statistical techniques. Although not a prerequisite, it is useful for students to have a background in invertebrate zoology.
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| MAS 587 |
Seagrass
Ecosystems Ecology |
2 cr |
|
| A
survey of current literature on topics related
to the ecology of seagrass ecosystems. Students
will read assigned papers to be analyzed in a
faculty-lead discussion format. A final research
paper will be prepared by each student. Prerequisite:
Graduate Standing. |
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| MAS 588 |
Field
Marine Science II |
2 cr |
|
| The
Field Marine Science course will consist of an
8-12 day field exercise in representative coastal
sites. Faculty members with diverse interests
will accompany the students, participate in pre-trip
discussions and evaluate the product developed
by each student. The course is designed to familiarize
students with habitats and research conditions
different from those they experience on the Northern
Gulf Coast. Field trip locations are selected
on the basis of faculty and student interest,
economics, and availability of logistic support.
Students pay their room and board costs for the
field exercise. The course is primarily for graduate
students, but advanced undergraduates may enroll
with consent of instructor. Both MAS 588 and MAS
583 may be taken for credit when each is taught
in a different environment. Prerequisite: Senior
undergraduate or Graduate Status. |
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| MAS 589 |
Marine
Plankton |
3 cr |
|
| The
course familiarizes the student with the taxonomic
breadth of phytoplankton, bacterioplankton and
zooplankton in estuaries, coastal seas and open
oceans. Though the focus of the course is on taxonomic
familiarization, basic biology (including reproduction
and feeding) of all major taxa represented in
the plankton will be covered. Students will learn
fundamental, as well as 'cutting-edge', field,
laboratory and statistical techniques. Two hours
of lectures each week will be accompanied by two
hours of hands-on laboratory work. Prerequisite:
Graduate status in one of the physical or biological
sciences. |
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| MAS 590
|
Special
Topics |
1-4 cr |
|
| An
in-depth tutorial exposure to specific areas in
the marine sciences. Credit and title will be
arranged to examine the subject matter in an area
of current interest to one or a group of students.
Specialized topics not currently listed in catalog
course offerings. MAS 590 is available to M.S.
students - MAS 690 is available to Ph.D. students.
Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School. |
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|
|
| Students
and faculty meet weekly in an interactive discussion
of current literature in marine sciences. The
focus will be on "state-of-the-art"
theories and methodologies as they occur in the
primary marine literature. Student presentation
is required to receive credit. Prerequisite: Admission
to the Graduate Program in Marine Sciences. |
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| MAS 594 |
Directed
Studies |
1-4 cr |
|
| Independent
research, not related to the thesis, under direction
of a member of the graduate faculty. May be used
to learn new techniques or explore research questions
of special interest. A maximum of 4 hours may
be earned for this course toward the MS Prerequisite:
Admission to the Graduate Program in Marine Sciences. |
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| Independent
research by the student under the sponsorship
of a member of the department. Progress reports
of the work accomplished are required every six
months. Prerequisite: Approved Committee. |
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| MAS 601 |
Physical
Oceanography |
3 cr |
|
| Physical
properties and circulation of the world oceans.
Topics to be covered include: basic physical laws,
properties of heat, water and salt budgets; waves;
tides; large and small scale circulations; sea-level
fluctuations; interactions of the sea with the
atmosphere and land masses; light and acoustics.
Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program in
Marine Sciences Biological Oceanography or equivalent. |
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| MAS 602 |
Chemical
Oceanography |
3 cr |
|
| An
in-depth examination of the chemistry of sea water
and its relationship with biological, geological,
and physical processes in the oceans. Coverage
of sea water composition, buffering capacity,
redox potential, and photochemistry will form
the basis for an in-depth analysis of dynamic
equilibria of gases, organic materials, nutrients,
and trace elements in the sea. Critical evaluation
of recent primary literature in chemistry oceanography
will be used to illustrate state-of-the-art research
approaches. |
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| MAS 603 |
Geological
Oceanography |
3 cr |
|
| Geological
Oceanography encompasses the historic and current
consequences of both geophysical and classic
geological processes. Included topics are tectonic
theory and its development, sedimentary processes
in coastal and oceanic provinces, stratigraphy,
structural geology, micro-paleontology, erosion,
diagenesis and the formation of hydrocarbons.
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program
is Marine Sciences. |
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| MAS 604 |
Biological
Oceanography |
3 cr |
|
| A
comprehensive survey of marine organisms and their
interaction including pelagic and benthic communities
of the oceans, coastal waters and estuaries. Primary
formation of particulate material, feeding processes,
kinetics of food webs, biogeochemical processes,
patterns of distribution, ecology of biotic systems,
human interactions and current concerns are topics
to be covered. Prerequisites: Masters degree in
one of the physical or biological sciences departments.
Special considerations to other students may be
granted with permission of the instructor and
the student's departmental chair. |
| |
| MAS 690 |
Special
Topics |
1-4 cr |
|
| An
in-depth tutorial exposure to specific areas in
the marine sciences. Credit and title will be
arranged to examine the matter in an area of current
interests to one or group of students. Specialized
topics not currently listed in catalog course
offerings. MAS 590 is available to master students
- MAS 690 is available to Ph.D. Students. Prerequisite:
Admission to Graduate School. |
| |
|
|
| Students
and faculty meet weekly in an interactive discussion
of current literature in marine sciences. The
focus will be on "state-of-the-art"
theories and methodologies as they occur in the
primary marine literature. Student presentation
is required to receive credit. Prerequisite: Admission
to the Graduate Program in Marine Sciences. |
| |
| MAS 694 |
Directed
Studies |
1-4 cr |
|
| Independent
research, not related to the dissertation, under
the direction of a member of the graduate faculty.
May be used to learn new techniques or explore
research questions of special interest. A maximum
of 4 hours may be earned for this course toward
the Ph.D. degree. Prerequisite: Admission to the
Graduate Program in Marine Sciences. |
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| MAS 799 |
Dissertation
Research |
1-8 cr |
|
| Independent
research by the student under the sponsorship
of a member of the department. Progress reports
of the work accomplished are required every six
months. Prerequisite: Approved prospectus. |
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