Courses: Marine Sciences

MAR 301 - Environmental Microbiology
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: BIO 202; CHE 131 or 141

Microbiological mediation of natural processes in marine, freshwater, soil, and groundwater habitats, as well as microbial potential for remediation of pollutants and public health issues. The course includes a survey of taxonomic and metabolic diversity, elementary cell biology, nutrition, environmental controls on physiology and adaptations, biogeochemical cycles, and modern methods of sampling and analysis. Not for credit in addition to BIO 357.

MAR 302 - Marine Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201 and 202; CHE 132 or 142. Advisory Prerequisite: MAR 301

Introduction to the evolution, diversity, and importance of the microbial flora of the sea. Lectures highlight the physiological distinctions and ecological functions of each of the major microbial groups (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, algae). Particular emphasis is placed on the role of these microorganisms in many of the elemental (geochemical)
cycles of the oceans. Aspects of the microbiota as agents of environmental pollution or detoxification are also discussed.

 

MAR 303 - Long Island Marine Habitats
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing; BIO 201. Advisory Prerequisites: AMS 110 or other statistics course; MAR 101 or 104 or 333

The study of six representative marine environments around Long Island. Students visit the sites on weekly field trips, measuring environmental parameters and identifying common plants and animals. Using qualitative and quantitative methods in the field and in laboratory sessions, the class determines major factors that control the biological community in each habitat.

MAR 304-E - Waves, Tides, and Beaches
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MAT 127 or 132 or 142 or AMS 161. Advisory Prerequisites: MAR 101 or 104 or 333; PHY 122/124 or 126 or 132/134 or 142

A survey of water waves and tides, including both a description of the phenomena and the basic theory of waves and sediment transport. This background forms the basis for a description of shore processes including beaches, shoreface dynamics, and coastal erosion. Areas of current research are also discussed.

MAR 305 - Experimental Marine Biology
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing; BIO 201. Advisory Prerequisites: CHE 131 or 141; AMS 110 or other statistics course; MAR 101 or 104 or 333

Students design and conduct experiments in the laboratory and at local field sites, collect and analyze data, and use scientific literature to interpret and present results in papers and oral presentations.

 

MAR 307 - Communication in Environmental Science
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing and completion of at least 6 credits of upper-division science courses.

Scientific writing and speaking skills through practice, including researching topics in the scientific literature, critically reading and writing scientific papers, presenting qualitative and quantitative data, and giving effective oral presentations of scientific material.

MAR 308 - Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: CHE 132/134 or 142/144

The development of familiarity in the laboratory with the techniques and instrumentation used in environmental analytical chemistry, emphasizing determination of trace inorganic species. Primary emphasis on applications utilizing the absorption of emission of electromagnetic radiation. Topics include metal determinations in sediment and in river water using molecular ultraviolet-visible and atomic absorption spectrometry.
Prerequisites: CHE 132/134 or 142/144

MAR 315-H - Conservation Biology and Marine Biodiversity
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 351 or 353

The fundamental concepts of Conservation Biology, a new synthetic field that incorporates principles of ecology, biogeography, population genetics, systematics, evolutionary biology, environmental sciences, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy toward the conservation of biological diversity. Examples drawn from the marine environment emphasize how the application of conservation principles varies from terrestrial, aquatic, and marine realms.

MAR 320 - Limnology
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: BIO 201; CHE 131 or 141

The physical, chemical, and biological aspects of lakes and ponds. The morphology of lake basins, physics of water movement, water chemistry, and ecology of organisms are explored through lecture and laboratory instruction. The laboratory portion of the course
includes field sampling to investigate temporal variation in water chemistry and plankton biology, and laboratory experiments to demonstrate important concepts.

 

MAR 333-H - Coastal Oceanography
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: MAT 125 or 131 or 141 or AMS 151; completion of DEC category E

Aspects of physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes that characterize coastal marine environments. Topics include such natural phenomena as upwelling, particle transport, benthic/pelagic coupling, and barrier island processes, as well as the impacts of society on the Coastal Ocean.

 

MAR 334-E - Remote Sensing of the Environment
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: One of the following: ENS/PHY 119, PHY 127, PHY 132/134, or PHY 142

A study of the theory of remote sensing and its application in the fields of atmospheric science and oceanography. A discussion of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with rough surfaces and the atmosphere is followed by a treatment of sensors and platforms. The remainder of the course is devoted to data processing techniques involved in remote sensing.

MAR 336 - Marine Pollution
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201; CHE 131 or 141; MAR 333

A review of the sources, transport, and fate of toxic and non-toxic contaminants in the ocean. The interactions of biological, chemical, and physical processes that control the cycling and toxicity of contaminants are considered. Contaminants include metals, oil, halogenated hydrocarbons, radioactive wastes, excess nutrients, plastics, and solid wastes.

MAR 340-H - Environmental Problems and Solutions
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing; one course in chemistry or biology

A detailed examination of the scientific, social, and legal aspects of important environmental problems, including global climate change, the depletion of atmospheric ozone, acid rain, rain forests and the loss of biodiversity, and energy conservation, as well as case histories of problems such as the use of DDT, environmental carcinogens, and lead poisoning.

MAR 349 - Introduction to Biological Oceanography
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: CHE 131 and 132; BIO 201

An examination of the processes which produce and maintain the abundances, composition, and temporal variations of organisms in the ocean. The roles of biological processes in global cycles and the food chain, beginning with microbes and progressing through fisheries, are also covered. Weekly three-hour laboratory or field sessions present methods used in observational and experimental studies.

 

MAR 350 - Introduction to Ocean Physics
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: ENS/PHY 119 or PHY 121/123 or 125 or 131/133 or 141; MAT 127 or 132 or 142 or 171 or AMS 161

An introduction to hydrodynamics, contemporary ideas on ocean circulation, and the application ofacoustics and optics to ocean technologies. Not for credit in addition to MAR 353.

MAR 351 - Introduction to Ocean Chemistry
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: CHE 132; MAR 101 or 104 or 333

How chemical tracers are used to determine the geological, physical, and biological characteristics of present and past oceans. Other topics include physical marine chemistry, nutrient and carbon cycling, organic geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, sediment chemistry and diagenesis, air-sea exchange and controls on carbon dioxide, and estuarine geochemistry.

 

MAR 352 - Introduction to Physical Oceanography
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: MAT 126, 132, or 142; PHY 119, 121, 125, 131 or 141

An introduction to the physical properties, motion of, and forces that drive the movement of fluids (air and water) on the earth. Physical oceanographic processes that range in scale from several mm to 1000s of km will be studied. This course will introduce the student to the physics of the marine environment and the tools (physical, mathematical, scientific) to study these waters. Environments ranging from pelagic to estuarine will be examined. Not for credit in addition to MAR 350.

MAR 353 - Physical Oceanography Laboratory
Credits: 1
Pre- or corequisite: MAR 350 or 352

An introduction to the measurements, equipment, and data processing techniques used to study the motion of fluids (air and water) on the earth. Students will learn to use scientific instruments, design sampling strategies, and utilize previously collected data sets to study both local and global processes. At-sea collection and analysis of data will be emphasized.

MAR 366 - Plankton Ecology
Credits: 3
Pre- or corequisite: BIO 201 and 202

An introduction to the biology of the plant and animal plankton present in the sea. Techniques of collection, enumeration, and identification of phytoplankton and zooplankton are described. Life histories are studied and factors that influence seasonal changes in species and biomass are examined.

MAR 370 - Marine Mammals
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201 and 203

The biology of the major groups of marine mammals, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians. Topics include evolutionary history and adaptation, thermoregulation, locomotion and foraging, diving physiology and behavior, communication and sensory systems, social behavior, reproduction, energetics, distribution patterns, exploitation, and conservation.

 

MAR 371 - The Biology and Conservation of Marine Birds and Sea Turtles
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201 and 203

A survey of the basic biology of marine birds and sea turtles, with an emphasis on species endemic to the Northeast U.S. Topics covered include origins, taxonomy and systematics, anatomy, organ systems, reproduction, nutrition, migration, and conservation status. Weekly lectures will be supplemented with three field trips, of which the student must attend at least two.

MAR 380 - Ichthyology
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201; BIO 328 or 344 or 346

The biology of fishes. This course focuses on the diversity of fishes and the physiological, anatomical, ecological, and behavioral adaptations that allow them to populate a wide range of niches and environments. Field and laboratory work provide students with practical experience in collecting, identifying, and studying fish.

MAR 388 - Tropical Marine Ecology
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: BIO 201 and permission of instructor.

This travel course surveys organisms (invertebrates, fishes and algae) and habitats (coral reefs, sea grass meadows and mangrove forests) within tropical marine coral reef ecosystems. The course consists of formal lectures, demonstrations and instructor-led field trips and involves snorkeling, SCUBA diving, reefwalking and underwater photography. Students will develop individual research projects requiring field observations and collecting data and will write a research proposal and final research papers.

MAR 394-H - Environmental Toxicology and Public Health
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201; CHE 131 or 141. Advisory Prerequisite: CHE 321

Principles of toxicology are presented and problems associated with major classes of toxic chemicals to human and environmental health are examined. Case studies dealing with current waste management issues are also discussed. This course is offered as both BCP 394 and MAR 394.

 

MAR 385 - Principles of Fishery Biology and Management
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201; MAT 125 or 131 or 141 or AMS 151

The theory, techniques, history, and practical problems of fishery management, with emphasis on Long Island fisheries. Three field trips outside regularly scheduled class meetings are required.

MAR 390 - Development of Aquaculture
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: BIO 201

A comprehensive, interdisciplinary description and analysis of the culture of aquatic organisms for human use. The course covers both marine and freshwater aquaculture of plants, shellfish, and finfish. Basic principles of aquaculture are illustrated with specific examples of organisms cultured for staple and luxury foods, biochemicals, wastewater treatment, etc. The development of aquaculture as an industry and its role in managing aquatic resources are covered. While much of the course material is biological, economic, social, and legal aspects of natural resource allocation are also emphasized.

MAR 487 - Research in Marine Sciences
Credits: 0-6
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and SoMAS Undergraduate Programs Director

A student may conduct research for credit. May be repeated.

MAR 488 - Internship
Credits: 0-6, S/U grading
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: MAR 333; permission of instructor and SoMAS Programs Director.

Participation in research at off-campus laboratories or in the activities of public and private agencies and organizations. May be repeated up to a limit of 12 credits.