Marine Science (MSC)

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

 

300 Marine Biology, 4 credit hours
A general survey of marine plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, the communities they form, and the physical and chemical factors that influence them. Field trips to the marsh, seagrass and dune habitats, and sampling from research vessels and laboratory exercises serve to introduce students to the diversity of marine habitats and organisms. This is an introductory course and not intended to be taken by students with more than 4 semester hours of marine coursework completed. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106.

305 Biology and Conservation of Marine Turtles, 2 credit hours
This introductory course will provide an overview of the biology and conservation of marine turtles. Topics to be covered include identification, distribution, nesting behavior, migratory behavior, feeding ecology, population biology and genetics, developmental habitats, temperature-dependent sex determination, paleontology, and conservation of marine turtles. Students will obtain a detailed knowledge of sea turtle biology and will gain an understanding of why many sea turtle species have become endangered and how proper management has allowed some populations to recover. The course will culminate with a multi-day field trip to sea turtle nesting beaches and foraging grounds in the Southeastern U.S. Class will also visit sea turtle research and rehabilitation facilities. The field trip will provide students with the opportunity to observe loggerhead, green, and leatherback turtles in their natural habitats. Prerequisite: Introductory course in biology. Special fees apply and will be posted on the web at: http://www.disl.org.

315 Shark Biology, 2 credit hours
This course will provide an introduction to the biology of sharks and rays, with special emphasis on regional shark fauna and field techniques. Topics to be covered include chondrichthyan origin, systematics, sensory biology, locomotion, food consumption, osmoregulation, reproductive biology, life history, ecology, fisheries, and conservation. Lectures will be supplemented with discussions of papers from the primary literature to familiarize students with current research; in addition, longline and gillnet sampling will provide students with first-hand knowledge of field techniques and local shark identification. Prerequisite: One course in general/organismal biology (or equivalent).

320 Horseshoe Crabs, 2 credit hours
Course involves travel to Delaware Bay, home of the largest population of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in the world. Students will gain and apply information on recent conflicts in horseshoe crab research and fishery management to explore political, ecological, and economic values of marine resources, options for management, conservation and outreach, conflict resolution, and applied ecology. Special fees apply and will be determined based on student enrollment in the course.

400 Marine Vertebrate Zoology, 4 credit hours
A survey of marine fishes, reptiles, and mammals, with an in-depth, comprehensive treatment of their systematics, zoogeography, and ecology. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106.

404 Marine Conservation Biology, 4 credit hours
This course is designed to develop the student’s understanding of conservation biology by building on the foundations provided in the introductory marine ecology class or a general ecology class. Prerequisites: MSC 470 or BIO 205.

405 Dolphins and Whales, 2 credit hours
Lectures, audiovisual presentations, and practical exercises are used to study the classification, anatomy, and ecology of the cetaceans. Prerequisite: Vertebrate anatomy or marine vertebrate biology.

407 GIS Basics for Coastal and Marine Environments, 2 credit hours
An introduction to basic concepts and uses of GIS technology in the coastal and marine environment. This is an introductory course and is not recommended for someone who has experience working with GIS or who has taken an introductory GIS course. Prerequisite: Computer Applications course.

408 GIS Applications for Coastal and Marine Environments, 2 credit hours
An introduction to a variety of applications of GIS technology in the coastal and marine environment. Prerequisite: MSC 407 or equivalent.

410 Marine Invertebrate Zoology, 4 credit hours
Natural history, systematics, and morphology of marine invertebrates from the Gulf of Mexico. Participation in extended field trips is required. Prerequisite: BIO 106.

412 Marine Aquaculture, 2 credit hours
Introduction to techniques in marine aquaculture with emphasis on nutrition and feeding, reproductive biology, water-quality requirements, and production, processing, marketing, and economics of marine aquaculture species. Courses in ichthyology, limnology, and invertebrate zoology are suggested but not required. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106.

420 Coastal Ornithology, 4 credit hours
Ecology, taxonomy, and distribution of coastal and pelagic birds. Prerequisites: BIO 106 and/or BIO 205.

421 Coastal Birds of Alabama, 2 credit hours
This course is an introductory-level course on the coastal avian fauna with an emphasis on nesting sites and nesting behavior. This course includes the identification, population dynamics, and behavior of coastal birds. Lectures emphasize functional ecology, specifically nesting biology of numerous species found along Alabama’s coastal region. Topics include migration, mechanics of flight, breeding biology, and forging. This course is a field-based course with an emphasis on breeding biology and behavior and introduction to bird identification. Prerequisite: A course in undergraduate biology or ecology.

425 Commercial Marine Fisheries of Alabama, 2 credit hours
Exploitation and biology of commercial vertebrates and invertebrates of Alabama and the adjoining Gulf of Mexico, with emphasis on distribution, harvesting technology, processing, and economic values. Includes visits to local processing plants and a trawling expedition aboard a research vessel.

430 Marine Botany, 4 credit hours
A general survey of marine algae (microscopic and macroscopic), as well as salt marsh vegetation, mangroves, seagrass, and maritime forest communities. Lectures emphasize identification, distribution, structure, ecology, and physiology. Extensive overnight field and laboratory work involved, including the ability to wade and snorkel. This course is intensive. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106.

445 Introduction to Oceanography, 4 credit hours
Biological, chemical, geological, and physical viewpoints of the sea. Includes lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: Basic science major.

447 Oceanology of the Gulf of Mexico, 3 credit hours
A descriptive study of the oceanology of the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters, including coastal zone, continental shelf, and deep ocean. This course provides a survey of the physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and meteorology of the continental margins and deep ocean regions in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters. Prerequisite: Science major or consent of instructor.

451 Coastal Climatology, 2 credit 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.

460 Marine Geology, 4 credit hours
A study of the geology of the ocean basins, with special emphasis on the continental shelves, their sediments, and the sedimentary processes at work there. Emphasis on the northeast Gulf of Mexico. Prerequisite: Introductory Geology; Statistics recommended.

468 Marine Behavioral Ecology, 4 credit hours
Introduction 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, and design and conduct behavioral experiments. Prerequisite: BIO 106. MATH 147 is recommended.

469 Coral Reef Ecology, 4 credit hours
This course will examine the ecology and evolution of coral reef communities, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps. Current issues, including degradation of reefs by macroalgae, hurricanes, coral bleaching, diseases of corals and sea urchins, overfishing, and pollution, will be examined critically through reading the primary literature. Students will participate in lectures and laboratory exercises at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and they will take a field trip to the Island School on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. A current passport is required for travel. Prerequisite: A course in ecology. Special fees apply and will be posted on the web at: http://www.disl.org.

470 Marine Ecology, 4 credit hours
Study of marine organisms as they interact with each other and their environment, to include examination of theories and the experimental basis of current knowledge. This is an advanced course open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106.

475 Marsh Ecology, 4 credit hours
The study of the floral and faunal elements of various coastal and near-coastal marsh communities and their interaction with the environment. The course will focus on the main indicators of marsh wetlands, how they interact to form functional wetlands, and how these wetlands are linked to the estuaries and seas beyond. Prerequisites: BIO 105, 106, and 205.

476 Marine Fish Diseases, 3 credit hours
This course will introduce students to aquatic animal diseases, specifically finfish and shellfish. Students will learn practical microbiological techniques for isolation and identification. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106. BIO 300 is recommended.

477 Marine Protozoology, 2 credit 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 marsh benthos and sand, from microscopic communities on solid substrates, and from other organisms. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106. BIO 380 is recommended.

480 Marine Technical Methods, 2 credit hours
Instruments and procedures used aboard a marine research vessel, including physical, biological, chemical, and geological parameter measurements and sample collection.

484 Coastal Zone Management, 2 credit hours
Ecological features and physical management policies for coastal communities, with a description of federal and state programs.

485 Research on Special Topics, 2–6 credit hours
Enrollment by special arrangement in any of the course areas offered by the laboratory, subject to the availability of the appropriate staff member.

486 Coastal Geomorphology, 2 credit hours
Coastal shapes and landforms and their functions.

489 Introduction to Neurobiology, 4 credit hours
Students will be introduced to the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of marine invertebrates and vertebrates. Prerequisites: BIO 105 and 106. BIO 342, CHEM 121 and 122, and PHYS 201 and 202 or consent of instructor are recommended.

490 Seminar, 1 credit hour
Current research, scientific progress, and problems in the marine environment. Students are not required to enroll in seminar, but must attend to qualify for credit in any other Marine Science course.