Marine Sciences
Printable Version | Departmental Websites: Marine Sciences
- Department Head: Professor Robert B. Whitlatch
- Professors: Bohlen, Cooper, Fitzgerald, Kremer, Monahan,O'Donnell, and Torgersen
- Associate Professors: Dam, McManus, and Visscher
- Assistant Professors: Bogden, Codiga, Lin, Skoog, and Ward
The Department
of Marine Sciences offers study and research programs leading to
the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in the
field of oceanography. Areas of special interest include biological,
chemical, geological and physical oceanography and marine geophysics.
Because of the varied training of students and the interdisciplinary
nature of marine sciences, plans of graduate study are flexible
and broad in scope, and are designed to meet the needs of the individual
student. The department offers several courses which are used as
a core curriculum in the study of marine sciences, in addition to
an array of other offerings in specific areas of the field.
Master of
Science.
For admission, a bachelor's degree in a related science normally
is required and there are no special requirements for admission
beyond those of the Graduate School. Selection of a Plan A (thesis)
or Plan B (course work) degree normally is made after consultation
with the student's advisory committee. Since the faculty conduct
laboratory and field research programs, most students complete a
research project.
Doctor of
Philosophy.
Students entering the doctoral program normally have a master's
degree in a related science. Specific course requirements for the
Ph.D. degree in oceanography are established by the student's advisory
committee. Depending upon the student's committee, a foreign language
or a related area of study (e.g., statistics, computer science)
outside the student's major program emphasis is required. Upon passing
the written portion of the general examination, the student takes
an oral examination, which covers the field of oceanography.
The Department also actively participates in several interdisciplinary academic programs at the M.S. and Ph.D. level:
- Biological Sciences. Certain members of the faculty also are members of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Work in marine ecology, botany, and evolution is available.
- Geological Sciences. M.S. and Ph.D. level programs associated with the Department of Geology and Geophysics are available. Appointments of several Department faculty allow work in marine geophysics, geology and sedimentology.
Special Facilities
and Educational Opportunities.
The Department maintains laboratories in Groton, Connecticut. Research
vessels, an ultra-clean analytical chemistry laboratory and seawater
facilities are available through the Marine Sciences and Technology
Center. Additional facilities are provided by biological sciences,
Sea Grant, geology/geophysics, the National Undersea Research Center,
the Coast Guard Research and Development Center, and the Sea Research
Foundation.
COURSES
OF STUDY
MARN 325.
Radiotracer Applications in Natural Systems
Applications of radiotracers in the environment for environmental
engineers, environmental scientists, geologists, hydrologists and
oceanographers. Use of radionuclides in the interpretation and quantification
of aqueous transport processes. The interaction of geochemistry,
mass transport and flux balances in Earth, ocean and environmental
systems.
3 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required.
MARN 331.
Marine Phytoplankton Ecology and Physiology
The physiology of marine phytoplankton, environmental factors affecting
their growth and photosynthesis in the ocean, the oceanographic
processes responsible for the temporal and spatial distributions
of phytoplankton biomass and production, and current topics in phytoplankton
research.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 332.
Marine Zooplankton
The role of bioenergetics, life history, population and community
dynamics and their role in biogeochemical cycles of protozoan and
metazoan marine zooplankton.
3 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required. Prerequisite: EEB
244 or EEB 245 or MARN 380.
MARN 336.
Biogenic Fluxes in the Oceans
Processes regulating the export of organic matter from the surface
of the ocean to the sea bed. New and export production; role of
the biotic and abiotic processes in downward transport of particulate
and dissolved organic matter; current topics of research on the
biological pump.
3 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required. Prerequisite: MARN
380.
MARN 351.
Aqueous Geochemistry
Application of chemical theory to rock-water interaction and the
geochemistry of the Earth's aqueous systems.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 365.
Molecular Approach to Biological Oceanography
Principles and technology in nucleic acid purification and manipulation,
DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning and sequencing, phylogenetic analysis,
and detection of gene expression (mRNA and protein). Application
examples in marine ecological studies.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 368.
Marine Geology
Relationships between physical and chemical processes and the occurrences
and distribution of rock types and compositions in the oceanic environment.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 370.
Dynamic Physical Oceanography
Global energy balance. General circulation in the oceans and atmosphere.
Thermodynamics and stability. Fundamental fluid mechanics. Surface
gravity waves. Geophysical fluid mechanics. Tides and other long
waves. Theories of global circulation.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 371.
Chemical Oceanography
The role of the oceans in the major global biogeochemical cycles
of carbon, sulfur, nutrients, gases and trace elements. Studies
include reaction rates, chemical speciation, equilibria, solubility,
oxidation-reduction, absorption, complexation and their effects
on the composition of sea water and the transfer of substances at
the Earth's surface.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 372.
Sediment Transport
The mechanics of sediment transport with particular emphasis on
the processes governing transport in coastal and estuarine areas.
Initiation of motion for cohesive and noncohesive materials, bed
and suspended load transport, bed forms, sediment-flow interactions,
modeling considerations.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 376.
Estuarine Circulation
The physical characteristics of estuaries, river and tidal interactions,
turbulence and mixing, salt balance, circulation dynamics, mass
transport and flushing, modeling considerations.
3 credits, Lecture. Prerequisite: MARN 370.
MARN 377.
Ocean Waves
General methods of wave analysis; surface gravity waves; tidal wave
dynamics; internal waves and tides; planetary, edge and topographic
Rossby waves.
3 credits, Lecture. Prerequisite: MARN 370.
MARN 378.
Advanced Dynamical Oceanography
Ocean thermodynamics; dynamics of rotating; homogeneous fluids;
ocean circulation; western boundary currents; the thermocline, oceanic
fronts.
3 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required. Prerequisite: MARN
370.
MARN 379.
Seminar in Chemical Oceanography
Readings and discussions of current literature in chemical oceanography.
For graduate and advanced students in oceanography or related fields.
3 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required.
MARN 380.
Biological Oceanography
An advanced course in biological processes in oceanic and coastal
waters. Emphasis is on empirical and theoretical concepts of marine
ecosystem dynamics, primary and secondary production and detrital
cycling.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 382.
Coastal Pollution and Bioremediation
Overview of processes and compounds leading to pollution in the
nearshore marine environment. The impact of pollution on the marine
foodweb and its response is emphasized. Alleviation of pollution
through metabolism of organisms, including bacteria, seagrasses
and salt marshes.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 385.
Marine and Atmospheric Processes of Global Change
Fundamentals of marine and atmospheric processes in global biogeochemistry.
Evaluation of atmospheric, biological and chemical processes that
contribute to global change.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 386.
Marine Bioorganic Chemistry
Overview of the molecular basis of metabolic and bioenergetic pathways
and processes with emphasis on life in the marine environment. Synthesis
of marine natural products. Laboratory demonstrations of selected
molecular and physiological techniques used in oceanography.
3 credits, Lecture.
MARN 390.
Mathematical Models in Marine Sciences
Examples of the formulation of quantitative models of marine systems
with a review of some particularly useful mathematical methods (differential
equations, operational methods, numerical solution techniques),
emphasizing the computation of predictions.
2 credits, Lecture. Prerequisite: 9 graduate credits in Marine Science.
MARN 391.
Mathematical Models in Marine Sciences: Practicum
Individual term projects relating to mathematical modeling in the
marine sciences.
2 credits, Practicum.
MARN 395.
Independent Study
A reading course for those wishing to pursue special work in marine
sciences. It may also be elected by undergraduate students preparing
to be candidates for degrees with distinction. Designate the field
of special interest by use of the appropriate section symbol.
1 credit, Independent Study. Instructor consent required.
MARN 397.
Research
Conferences and laboratory work covering selected fields of marine
sciences.
1 - 3 credits, Independent Study. Instructor consent required.
†GRAD
395. Master's Thesis Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 396. Full-Time Master's Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 397. Full-Time Directed Studies (Master's Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 398. Special Readings (Master's)
Non-credit.
GRAD 399. Thesis Preparation
Non-credit.
MARN 410.
Special Topics in Marine Sciences
1 - 6 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required.
MARN 441.
Ecology of Marine Invertebrates
Functional responses of organisms to abiotic factors in the marine
environment (light, temperature, salinity, oxygen tension, intertidal
exposure).
3 credits, Lecture. Instructor consent required.
MARN 443.
Marine Systems Ecology
Effects of biotic and abiotic parameters on the structure and function
of marine ecosystems. Techniques for the analysis of energetics,
nutrient cycles, and trophic characteristics in both theoretical
and applied problems. Field trips are required.
4 credits, Lecture.
†GRAD
495. Doctoral Dissertation Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 496. Full-Time Doctoral Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 497. Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 498. Special Readings (Doctoral)
Non-credit.
GRAD 499. Dissertation Preparation
Non-credit.