Graduate Courses

University Course Schedules

Marine Science Core Courses*

MNS 481C. Marine Ecosystem Dynamics. Interactions between organisms and the physical processes that regulate productivity and distribution of marine life in oceanic and coastal ecosystems. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and either consent of instructor or the following: six semester hours of biological sciences chosen from Biology 211, 212, 213, 214 and the equivalent; and Chemistry 301 and 302, or the equivalent. 

MNS 482C. Marine Biogeochemistry. Study of chemical, biological, geological, and physical processes that influence cycling of bioactive elements in marine waters and sediments. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and either consent of instructor or the following: Physical Science 303 and 304, or the equivalent; Chemistry 301 and 302, and 610, and the equivalent; and six semester hours of biological sciences chosen from Biology 211, 212, 213, 214 or the equivalent. 

MNS 483C. Adaptations to the Marine Environment. The physiological basis for organismal and population level responses to marine environments. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and either consent of instructor or the following: six semester hours of biological sciences chosen from Biology 211, 212, 213, 214 and the equivalent; and Chemistry 301 and 302, or the equivalent. 

*The Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Marine Science will periodically add or delete core courses from this list depending upon program needs. In addition, the Committee may tailor a student's core curriculum by substitution of other Marine Science courses for one or more of those listed if the listed courses are unavailable to the student for reasons beyond his/her control. 

Advanced Courses

Additional graduate courses that will be offered in the Department of Marine Science: 

MNS 383.  Topics in Marine Science.

Topic 9:  Planktonic Processes.  Advanced study of the processes affecting the distribution and abundance of marine planktonic organisms, primary and secondary production in marine planktonic environments, and trophic interactions between planktonic species.

Topic 11:  Global Change.  Study of natural and anthropogenically mediated changes in the earth's climate and biogeochemical cycles.

Topic 12:  Larval Fish Ecology.  The ecology of marine fish larvae in relation to fisheries oceanography and aquaculture.  Additional prerequisite:  Ability to use the World Wide Web and knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

Topic 14:  Marine Isotope Geochemistry.  The use of isotopes (stable, radiogenic, uranium series, and anthropogenic) in the study of marine science.

Topic 17:  Molecular Endocrinology.  TBA

Topic 18:  Coastal Processes.  TBA

MNS 384J. Marine Ecology. Principles of competition and of predator-prey, herbivore-plant, and reproductive interactions within diverse marine phyla. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, a basic course in biological science, and consent of instructor. 

MNS 384U. Reproductive Physiology of Fishes. Endocrine and environmental control of reproductive cycles in teleost fishes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, a beginning course in physiology, and consent of instructor. 

MNS 191. Seminar in Marine Science. Recent advances in the marine sciences, discussed by students, faculty and staff members, and guest lecturers. Topics to be announced. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. One lecture hour a week for one semester.