Marine Science (MSC)

College of Arts and Sciences

 

MSC 500 Marine Vertebrate Zoology      Credit, 4 hours
A study of marine fishes, reptiles and mammals, and an in-depth, comprehensive treatment of their systematics, zoo geography and ecology. Lectures will encompass subject matter of a non-regional basis. Field and laboratory work will stress the vertebrate fauna of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Most of the course will be devoted to fishes. Students will have an opportunity to assemble a collection of vertebrate species. Prerequisite: BIO 106.

MSC 501 Marine Biology      Credit, 4 hours
A general survey of the invertebrates, vertebrates, and marine plants as communities with emphasis on local examples of these principal groups. Students will have an opportunity to examine marshlands, estuarine beach, dune inlet and neritic habitats and niches. Lecture, laboratory, and field work will be included. Prerequisites: BIO 105, 106.

MSC 510 Marine Invertebrate Zoology      Credit, 4 hours
A study of the natural history, systematics and morphology of marine invertebrates from a variety of habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, oriented toward a field and laboratory approach. Participation in extended field trips is part of the course. Prerequisites: BIO 106, MSC 501 suggested.

MSC 520 Coastal Ornithology      Credit, 4 hours
Study of coastal and pelagic birds with emphasis on ecology, taxonomy and distribution. This course includes identification, population dynamics, and behavior of coastal birds and overnight trips to offshore islands. Prerequisite: BIO 106.

MSC 530 Marine Botany      Credit, 4 hours
A general survey of coastal and marine flora with emphasis on taxonomy, morphology, physiology, ecology and distribution. Community structure of various ecosystems will be studied. Students will have an opportunity to examine pelagic, marshlands, estuarine beach, sand dune and inlet niches. Lectures and laboratory work will be included and a collection will be required. Prerequisite: BIO 105.

MSC 551 Coastal Climatology      Credit, 2 hours
A study of the controlling factors and features of the world’s climates, with particular attention to coastal areas, and application and interpretation of climate data.

MSC 568 Marine Behavioral Ecology      Credit, 4 hours
This course will introduce students to principles of animal behavior as applied to marine organisms. Students will relate the evolutionary significance of these behaviors, learn techniques for observing animal behavior in the field and laboratory, design and conduct behavioral experiments and learn methods for analyzing behavioral data. Prerequisite: BIO 106. MATH 147 recommended.

MSC 570 Marine Ecology      Credit, 4 hours
Bioenergetics, community structure, population dynamics, predation, competition, and speciation in marine ecosystems will be studied. Lecture and laboratory work will be included, although considerable time will be spent in field work. Prerequisites: BIO 105, 106; CHEM 121–122; PHYS 201–202. MSC 501 or MSC 510 recommended.

MSC 575 Marsh Ecology      Credit, 4 hours
This field course is designed for those students who wish to gain a basic understanding of the ecology of a salt marsh. Emphasis will be placed upon habitat analysis, natural history studies and the population dynamics of selected vertebrates. Each student will be assigned a specific field problem that will be terminated by a technical paper. All students will be expected to live at Point Aux Pines Field Station. Prerequisites: BIO 105, 106.

MSC 577 Marine Protozoology      Credit, 2 hours
This course will teach students the major groups of protists from a variety of marine habitats, including their taxonomy, structure, ecology, and methods of studying. The emphasis will be on live material from the Gulf, from salt march benthos and sand, from microscopic communities on solid substrates, and from other organisms. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106. BIO 380 recommended.

MSC 585 Research on Special Topics      Credit, 2–6 hours
Students may enroll by special arrangement in any of the course areas offered by the lab subject to the availability of the appropriate staff member.