Department of Marine Science

Unless otherwise stated in the description below, each class meets for three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Marine Science: MNS

Lower-Division Course

307. Introduction to Oceanography.

Same as Geology 307. Introduction to the sciences of oceanography: geological, physical, and biological. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. May not be counted toward a degree in geological sciences.

Upper-Division Courses

440. Limnology and Oceanography.

Same as Zoology 440. An introduction to the study of the interactions between aquatic organisms and their environments. Two lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; six semester hours of chemistry; nine semester hours of biological science, including Biology 304 with a grade of at least C; and a grade point average in biological science of at least 2.00.

344K. Marine Mining and Minerals.

Same as Geology 344K. Overview of seafloor mineral deposits, their exploration and mining. May not be counted toward the Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences degree. Prerequisite: Geology 401, 303, or 312K; 416K; and 416M.

148, 348. Training Cruise(s).

May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Topic 1: Research in Biological Oceanography. Same as Biology 148, 348. One or more cruises of one to several days each to collect physical, chemical, oceanographic, and biological data relevant to biological processes in the sea. Preparatory instruction and postcruise sample processing and analysis. Prerequisite: Biology 302 and either 303 or 304, Chemistry 302, and consent of instructor.

Topic 2: Marine Geophysical Research. Same as Geology 148K, 348K. Multiday cruise to collect seismic, magnetic, gravitational, bathymetric, or other geophysical data. Postcruise data processing and/or analysis and a report are required for 348. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and one of the following: Marine Science 307, 367K, Geology 401, 303, 312K. Geology 416M, 420K (or 320K) or 320L, and 465K are recommended.

352. Principles of Marine Science.

Lectures, laboratory, and fieldwork. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Topic 22: Oceanography. Consideration of current understanding of the chemistry and biology of the oceans.

352C. Estuarine Ecology.

General ecological principles of estuarine environments in Texas, including physiography, hydrography, and plant and animal community structure and productivity. Requires several field trips in addition to lecture hours, including one weekend trip. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Only one of the following may be counted: Marine Science 352 (Topic 8: Estuarine Ecology), 352C, 382 (Topic 8: Estuarine Ecology). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and six semester hours of biology, chemistry, geology, or physics.

352D. Marine Botany.

Exploration of the marine algae and seagrasses of the south Texas coast, with emphasis on their taxonomy, physiology, and ecology; field trips to representative coastal habitats. Requires several field trips in addition to lecture hours, including one weekend trip. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; one of the following courses: Biology 303, Botany 320, 321, 328, Marine Science 352C; and three additional semester hours of biological science.

353. Topics in Marine Science.

Two lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

Topic 4: Current Research. Research instruction/participation in marine science. Laboratory and field activity with emphasis on faculty contact.

Topic 5: Seafloor Mining. Study of seafloor mineral resources, including problems and policies related to exploration, mining, environmental concerns, assessment, and industrial development.

Topic 6: Marine Ecology. Independent study in marine ecology, literature research, and comprehensive writing. Report required. Additional prerequisite: Upper-division standing in natural sciences, engineering, or education.

Topic 7: Marine Sedimentology. Selected topics and problems concerning the depositional processes, controls, and distribution of marine sediments.

354. Marine Invertebrates.

Study of invertebrate taxonomy, structure, behavior, and ecology, with emphasis on field sampling and laboratory studies of invertebrate habitats of the Texas coast. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of biology or consent of instructor.

354C. Biology of Fishes.

Anatomy, physiology, behavior, life history, taxonomy, and distribution of fishes, with emphasis on field sampling and laboratory studies of the coastal biota. Requires several field trips in addition to lecture hours, including one weekend trip. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, six semester hours of biological sciences, or consent of instructor.

354D. Selected Studies in Mariculture.

Intensive recirculating systems, larval culture, parasites and diseases, nutrition, endocrinology, and reproduction of marine finfish and shellfish. Three lecture hours and eight laboratory hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Marine Science 354D, 354V, 384D. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of biology, six semester hours of chemistry, or consent of instructor.

354E. Aquatic Microbiology.

Ecology, physiology, distribution, and growth of heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria and fungi in waters and sediments. Marine Science 354E and 384E may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Biology 302 and either 303 or 304, or the equivalent; Chemistry 301 and 302, or the equivalent; and consent of instructor.

354F. Marine Geology.

Survey of the origin, structure, stratigraphy, and sedimentology of marine basins and continental margins. Marine Science 354F and 384F may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; six semester hours of general chemistry or mineralogy; and six semester hours of upper-division geology or consent of instructor.

354N. Physical Oceanography.

Same as Meteorology 376. Introduction to the physical properties of seawater and the physical processes in the ocean. Distribution of temperature and salinity; oceanographic measurements; air-sea interaction; ocean currents; wind waves; tides. Marine Science 354N and 384N may not both be counted. Prerequisite: A course in calculus and Physics 303K and 103M, or consent of instructor.

354Q. Marine Environmental Science.

Application of the principles of marine science to the study of environmental issues: toxicology, biogeochemical cycles, and biological and ecological impacts of zenobiotic materials in the coastal zone. Three lecture hours and eight laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Chemistry 302 and Biology 302, 303, and 304.

354S. Comparative Physiology of Marine Animals.

Physiological adaptations of vertebrates and invertebrates to life in estuarine and marine environments. Three lecture hours and six to eight laboratory hours a week for one semester. Marine Science 354S and 384S may not both be counted. May count as zoology. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing in biological science, one semester of general or comparative physiology (Zoology 316K, 361K, 365L, or 365N), and consent of instructor.

354T. Biological Oceanography.

Introduction to the organisms in the sea, their adaptations to the environment, and the factors that control their distribution and abundance. The course emphasizes laboratory and field work with organisms found in the coastal waters of Texas. Prerequisite: Biology 302 and either 303 or 304, or consent of instructor.

367K. Oceanography: Human Exploration and Exploitation of the Sea.

Same as Geology 367K. Review of major oceanographic expeditions; exploration of continental shelves and deep ocean; exploration and exploitation of marine resources, including energy, hard minerals, and food. Discussion of environmental concerns, the Exclusive Economic Zone, coastal development, marine pollution, dumping at sea, cable, pipelines, and seafloor utilization. May not be counted toward a degree in geological sciences. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours of science, including Chemistry 302 with a grade of at least C and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 303, 304, Geology 401, 303, 312K; and upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

28 August 1996. Registrar's Web Team
Comments to rgcat@utxdp.dp.utexas.edu