Marine Sciences (MAS) Courses

MARINE SCIENCES (MAS)

1998-1999 Bulletin Information

MAS 511 Marine Analytical Instrumentation 3 cr
The course will provide an overview of the major analytical tools available to marine
scientists in the laboratory. The focus will be three-fold: (1) to provide an introduction to the
theory behind major classes of instrumentation, (2) to provide an overview of specific
applications of these tools in marine science, and (3) to provide a 'hands-on' working knowledge
of the instrumentation available at the DISL. Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree in science with
sufficient Chemistry and Biology background.
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. Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School.
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 the 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 the
class on their chosen topic.
MAS 530 Marine Microbial Ecology 3 cr
A general survey of the types of microorganisms 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.
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.
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, phosphorus, 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. Prerequisites: Organic chemistry, geology, marine ecology.
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.
MAS 555 Fisheries Oceanography 2 cr
Students examine the relationships 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.
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. Prerequisite: Permission of one of the instructors.
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.
MAS 573 Oceanology of the Gulf of Mexico 2 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 instructor.
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. the subtidal 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.
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.
MAS 580 Marine Biogeography & 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 the various topics. Prerequisite:
An introductory ecology or marine ecology course.
MAS 581 Advanced Marine Ecology 4 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.
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 bio-physical coupling. This course is reading intensive focussing on both historical
and topical articles from the primary literature. Prerequisite: Biological Oceanography or
Advanced Ecology.
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 pre-trip readings and evaluate the
product developed by each student. Prerequisite: Marine Biology.
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.
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 logistical support. Students pay their
room and board costs for the field exercise. The course is primarily for graduate students, but
advanced under-graduates 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.
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.
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.
MAS 592 Seminar 1 cr
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 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 M.S. Prerequisite:
Admission to the Graduate Program in Marine Sciences.
MAS 599 Thesis 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 Committee.
MAS 601 Physical Oceanography 4 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.
MAS 602 Chemical Oceanography 4 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 chemical oceanography will be used to
illustrate state-of-the-art research approaches.
MAS 603 Geological Oceanography 4 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, micropaleontology, erosion, diagenesis and the formation of hydrocarbons.
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program in Marine Sciences.
MAS 604 Biological Oceanography 4 cr
A comprehensive survey of marine organisms and their interactions 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 the instructor's 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 interest 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.
MAS 692 Seminar 1 cr
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 Research 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.
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. Approved
Prospectus.