Courses

MARS 500 Core Seminar I (3)

An introduction to the infrastructure of the program and critical skills useful in graduate studies. Students will also be exposed to a range of research areas through a series of seminars presented by the Marine Science faculty, allied University faculty in other departments, and professionals from other institutions. Students will develop a written preliminary plan for their own research in pursuit of the master’s degree and choose a thesis committee chair.

MARS 501 Core Seminar II (3)

During this seminar, students will formulate their research proposals, write a comprehensive literature review, and form their thesis committees. Successful completion of this seminar is required for admission to candidacy.

MARS 510 Oceanography I: Geological Oceanography (4)

The origin and geologic history of the ocean basins, with a detailed investigation of the theory of plate tectonics, ocean sedimentation, and paleoceanography. Examination of how geological processes affect the physical, chemical, and biological processes in the ocean will be emphasized. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. One cruise and one additional weekend field trip may be required.

MARS 511 Oceanography II: Biological Oceanography (4)

Biological oceanography is covered from an integrated, functional perspective. Unifying themes will be factors that affect marine ecosystems and the relationship between environmental characteristics and biological communities. Nearshore, open ocean, and deep sea environments will be covered. Ecological, behavioral, physiological, and biochemical adaptations of marine organisms also will be considered. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. One cruise and additional field work may be required. Prerequisites: One year of general biology, with laboratory.

MARS 512 Oceanography III: Physical and Chemical Oceanography (4)

This course provides a proper background for graduate students in the physical and chemical aspects of the oceans. This course will focus on the large scale physical and chemical process in the oceans and how these processes influence the distribution of water masses and the chemical composition of seawater. There will be discussions of surface and deep water circulation, waves, tides, air-sea interaction, and the distribution of dissolved constituents in seawater. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: One year each of general chemistry and general physics, with laboratory; calculus; and one other course in oceanography.

MARS 520 Statistics (3)

This course is intended to build on a basic understanding of statistical analysis gained at the undergraduate level. The course will review methods of hypothesis testing and the statistical tests most commonly used in oceanography. It will introduce multivariate analyses and modern non-parametric methods such as bootstrapping. The main emphasis will be experimental design and choosing the most appropriate methods of statistical analysis to answer specific questions. Students will learn how to use the statistical software package SPSS and will have the opportunity to work with their own data, if applicable. Three hours per week. Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in statistics approved by the instructor.

MARS 552 Electron Microscopy (4)

An introduction to the theory, development, and operation of the electron microscope with emphasis on development of knowledge of cellular fine structure. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on tissue preparation, microscope operation and evaluation, and presentation of electron microscopic data.

MARS 562 Biology of Fishes (3)

Course examines the various aspects of ichthyology encompassing the anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolution, ethology, and natural history of fishes. Lab includes techniques of identification and a general survey of fish systematics and zoogeography. Prerequisite: BIOL 300 or equivalent.

MARS 565 Marine Mammals (3)

An examination of the biology of whales, pinnipeds, and other marine mammals. Topics will include general adaptations to a marine existence; systematics and biogeography; reproduction; diving physiology; communication and echolocation; feeding and migratory behavior; and marine mammal-human interactions. Some emphasis will be placed on species occurring in the North Pacific Ocean. Necropsies of a beach-stranded marine mammal may occur. Special projects will also be assigned. Three hours of lecture per week and at least two field trips on weekends. Prerequisites: One year of introductory biology and at least two upper-division courses in zoology or ecology.

MARS 567 Deep-Sea Biology (3)

This course explores the biology of organisms inhabiting the deep ocean, especially as their biology is influenced by the environment in which they live. Topics will include the physical, chemical, and geological setting; instrumentation used in deep-sea research; the systematics and ecology of deep-sea fauna; physiological and biochemical adaptations to the conditions in the deep ocean; and impacts of humans on the deep-sea environment. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: One year of introductory biology and at least two upper-division courses in ecology or zoology.

MARS 568 Marine Ecology (3)

Discussions of the ecological relationships within the sea, including such topics as production, community structure, and biogeography. Communities discussed may range from the coast to the deep sea, and will cover plankton, nekton, and benthos. Lecture/seminar format. Prerequisite: Upper-division ecology course or concurrent enrollment in BIOL 460.

MARS 571 Near Shore Processes (3)

Physical and chemical processes which influence coastal sediment and water mass distribution and chemical composition. Topics include current and ocean circulation patterns on the continental shelf, coastal erosion and deposition, river flux and its influence on the chemical composition of seawater, sediment transport, and chemical reactions in estuaries and bays. The impact of human activities on coastal areas will also be covered. Prerequisite: MARS 510 or equivalent.

MARS 574 History of the Oceans and Climate (3)

Ocean-atmospheric interactions and their influence on global climate. Special emphasis will be placed on the causal mechanisms of paleoclimatic cycles, global climate change, and greenhouse warming. Prerequisite: MARS 510 or equivalent.

MARS 578 Boundary Layer Flow (3)

The interactions between fluid dynamic processes in the oceans and the organisms that live in different habitats. The main objective is to provide a descriptive and conceptual understanding of boundary layer fluid dynamics at several scales from whole ocean basins to flow around organisms. The emphasis will be on smaller scales, in particular those with major biological implications. Examples will illustrate physical aspects of fluid dynamics; biological fluid dynamics with an emphasis on feeding, locomotion, and dispersal; and geological/geochemical aspects of the sediment-water interface. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: One year of introductory (calculus-based) physics or consent of instructor.

MARS 588 Micropaleontology (4)

A survey of the biostratigraphy, paleoceanography, evolution, and applications of microfossils. Special emphasis will be placed on radiolarian and forminiferan microfossil groups. Includes field trips.

MARS 594 Special Topics (2-3)

Topics of special interest or unique opportunity. Prerequisites may be listed for these offerings.

MARS 595 Directed Readings (1-3)

Specific sets of readings tailored to address particular needs of a students. Generally, this course would be related to the research interests of a student and would be under the guidance of a member of the student’s thesis committee. Typically, a maximum of 3 units may be used toward the degree requirements without consent of the Director.

MARS 596 Research (0.5-6)

Research toward the master’s thesis. This research will be under the general supervision of a thesis advisor. No more than 3 units may be taken prior to candidacy. Pass/Fail only. A passing grade is contingent upon participation in the annual Graduate Student Colloquium during the same academic year. (Rules for taking 0.5 unit may be found on page 57.)

MARS 597 Thesis (0.5-1)

Independent writing of the thesis with consultation of the major advisor. Master’s candidates must be enrolled in this course to turn in a thesis. It may be taken more than once, but only 1 unit will be counted toward the degree requirements. Prerequisite: Consent of the major professor. Pass/Fail only. A passing grade is contingent upon participation in the annual Graduate Student Colloquium during the same academic year unless the student has successfully defended the thesis prior to the Colloquium. (Rules for taking 0.5 unit may be found on page 57.)

Undergraduate Courses

A maximum of 6 undergraduate units taken at the University may be applied to the graduate program. The list below is not exhaustive; consult the Director. See the current Undergraduate Bulletin for course descriptions.

BIOL 301 – Biostatistics (3)

BIOL 350 – Invertebrate Zoology (4)

BIOL 460 – Ecology (4)

BIOL 466 – Behavioral Ecology (4)

BIOL 477 – Invertebrate Physiology (3)

BIOL 478 – Vertebrate Physiology (3)

BIOL 482 – Molecular Biology (4)

CHEM 331 – Biochemistry (3)

CHEM 355 – Environmental Chemistry (3)

ENVI 315 – Geographic Information Systems (3)

ENVI 420 – Introduction to Remote Sensing (3)

ENVI 485 – Environmental Geology (4)

ENVI 487 – Surface Water Hydrology (4)