Courses

MS 101N: Geological Oceanography
Geologic history and processes, including the physical, chemical and biological processes, that influence the geological development of the world's oceans. Includes marine geological and geophysical exploration techniques and human impacts. Includes laboratory component.

MS 102N: Biological Oceanography
The physical, chemical and geological processes that influence biological productivity as well as the distribution, abundance and adaptations of marine life in various environments of the world's oceans. Includes laboratory component.

MS1 199: Marine Science Freshman Research - 1st semester
Year long course designed for first year students interested in carrying out marine science research. Work closely with marine science faculty on various research projects. Enrollment by application. Two semesters equal one course credit. Evaluation is on a credit/no credit basis. The grade of Credit is comparable to work evaluated as C or better.

MS2 199: Marine Science Freshman Research - 2nd semester
Continuation of Marine Science Freshman Research. Two semesters equal one course credit. Evaluation is on a credit/no credit basis. The grade of Credit is comparable to work evaluated as C or better. Prerequisite: MS1 199.

MS 201: Marine Pollution
This course examines the sources, processes, fates, and impacts of marine pollutants including: microplastics, petroleum, nutrient (algal blooms), sediment loading, radioisotopes, heavy metals, and persistent organic compounds. Prerequisites: MS101N, MS102N, CH121N

MS 206E: Ecology of Belize
Following spring semester, travel to Belize to experience first-hand the natural history and ecology of Belize’s diverse marine and terrestrial environments and cultures. By permission of instructor only. Environmental Perspective.

MS 243: Earth Systems History
Systems approach to the physical and biological history of the earth, including modern problems in paleontology and stratigraphy. Reconstruct and interpret Earth's history by treating the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere as parts of a single system. Includes laboratory component. Prerequisite: MS 101N.

MS 257: Earth Materials
Rocks and minerals of the earth: mineralogy, petrography of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Includes laboratory component. Prerequisite: MS 101N.

MS 288: Marine and Freshwater Botany
Diversity of marine and freshwater plants, their relationship to each other and to their environment. A survey of all plant groups is included. Field trips. Prerequisite: MS 102N, BI 211, or BI 112N, and Sophomore standing.

MS 289: Marine Invertebrate Biology
Structural basis, evolutionary relationships, biological functions and environmental interactions of animal life in the seas, exploring the local area. Includes laboratory component. Prerequisites: MS 101N, MS 102N, and Sophomore standing.

MS 291: Internship

MS 302: Biology of Fishes
Systematics, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavior of fishes. Laboratory includes field collecting, trips to local institutions, examination of anatomical features and systematic characteristics. Prerequisites: BI 111N or MS 102N, and Sophomore standing.

MS 303: Solid Earth Geophysics
Quantitative analysis of Earth structure and plate tectonics using earthquake seismology, seismic reflection and refraction, gravity, magnetics, and heat flow. Prerequisites: MS 101N and MA 132M.

MS 304: Marine Invertebrate Paleontology
Morphology, classification, phylogeny, paleoecology of groups of marine invertebrate fossil organisms. Taphomony, biostratigraphy, and the stages in the evolution of marine ecosystems. Field trips and labs. Prerequisite: MS 101N.

MS 305: Marine Stratigraphy and Sediment
Facies and basin analysis, sedimentary tectonics. Interpretation of clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks to infer processes, environments, and tectonic settings in the marine environment. Includes laboratory component. Prerequisite: MS 101N.

MS 306: Earth Structure
Microscopic-to-macroscopic scale structures in rocks, field observations of stress and strain. Oceanic and continental structures, theory of plate tectonics. Includes laboratory component. Prerequisite: MS 101N.

MS 309: Principles of Hydrology
The study of water: how rivers function, how water moves through the ground, pollution of water and other problems. Prerequisite: MS 101N or ES 211N.

MS 310: Marine Conservation Ecology
Biodiversity conservation is essential for maintenance of ecosystem health and resilience. Examine marine biodiversity status and threats, conservation trends, as well as science behind protected area design and assessment. Prerequisite: MS 102N, BI111N, or ES270N

MS 311: Marine Mammalogy
In-depth overview of marine mammals (whales, dolphins, manatees, seals, sea lions, etc.). Topics include marine mammal systematics, status, behavior, physiology, population dynamics, evolution, and management. Current periodical literature text readings are basis for discussions. Prerequisites: BI 111N, MS 102N, or ES 270N. Junior or Senior standing required.

MS 313: Mangrove Biology and Ecology
Mangroves support coastal food webs that rival rainforest productivity and are specially adapted to unique conditions. An understanding of the ecology of these charismatic and diverse communities and what threatens them will be studied. Prerequisites: BI 111N, ES 270N, or MS 102N.

MS 315: Elasmobranch Biology and Management
Systematics, evolution, ecology, behavior, and anatomical and physiological adaptations of sharks and rays. Current scientific research, human impact, how populations can be managed. Prerequisites: BI 212 or BI 303 and Junior standing.

MS 322: Coral Reefs
An integrated overview of reef structure and development, and the physiology, ecology, and behavior of coral reef organisms. Prerequisites: MS 101N, MS 102N, and junior standing.

MS 342: Chemical and Physical Oceanography
Integrated study of chemical and physical ocean processes with emphasis on interactions with the biosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. Topics include biogeochemical cycling, primary production, and chemical tracers to study oceanic processes. Includes laboratory component. Prerequisites: MS 101N, MS 102N, and CH 122.

MS 347: Marine Geochemistry
Geochemical and biogeochemical processes in oceans. Fluvial, atmospheric, hydrothermal sources of materials, trace elements, sediments, interstitial waters, diagenesis, and geochemical proxies of climate change. Prerequisite: CH 122.

MS 391: Internship

MS 401: Coastal Geology
Apply concepts learned in introductory-level courses to the coastal environment. Lab includes field trips to various environments on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of Florida, and aerial reconnaissance missions. Prerequisites: MS 101N and MS 305. Junior or Senior standing required.

MS1 410: Marine Science Junior Seminar
Students take one semester of marine science seminar during the junior year and one semester of seminar during the senior year. Both MS1 410 Marine Science Junior Seminar and MS2 410 Marine Science Senior Seminar are required for one course credit. Juniors only.

MS2 410: Marine Science Senior Seminar
Students take one semester of marine science seminar during the junior year and one semester of seminar during the senior year. Both MS1 410 Marine Science Junior Seminar and MS2 410 Marine Science Senior Seminar are required for one course credit. Seniors only. Prerequisite: MS1 410.

MS 491: Internship

MS 498: Comprehensive Examination
Required of Marine Science majors in the senior year with the exception of those who complete a senior thesis, and taken during either Winter Term or Spring Semester. Written examinations covering general marine science, track-specific courses, and interdisciplinary applications of marine science principles.

MS 499: Senior Thesis - Research
Directed research project only by invitation of the marine science faculty. Students may substitute a senior thesis for the comprehensive exams. The senior thesis committee must include at least one tenure-track faculty member from the Marine Science discipline.