Marine Sciences (MARN)

Department Head: Professor Ann Bucklin
Department Office: Marine Sciences, Avery Point

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

1001. The Sea Around Us

(135) Second semester. Three credits. P. Kremer

The relationship of humans with the marine environment. Exploitation of marine resources, development and use of the coastal zone, and the impact of technology and pollution on marine ecosystems. CA 3.

1002. Introduction to Oceanography

(170) Either semester. Three credits. Three class periods per week and two afternoon cruises per semester. A background in secondary school physics, chemistry or biology is recommended. Not open to students who have passed MARN 1003. 

Processes governing the geology, circulation, chemistry and biological productivity of the world's oceans. Emphasis is placed on the interactions and interrelationships between physical, chemical, biological and geological processes that contribute to both the stability and the variability of the marine environment. A fee of $10 is charged for this course. CA 3.

1003. Introduction to Oceanography with Laboratory

(171) First semester (Avery Point). Four credits. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Recommended preparation: A background in secondary school physics, chemistry or biology. Not open to students who have passed MARN 1002. Whitney

Processes governing the geology, circulation, chemistry and biological productivity of the world's oceans. Emphasis on the interactions and interrelationships of physical, chemical, biological and geological processes that contribute to both the stability and the variability of the marine environment. Laboratory experiments, hands-on exercises, and field observations including required cruise on research vessel.  CA 3-LAB.

1004. Oceanography Laboratory

(172) Either semester. One credit. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MARN 1002 or equivalent. Not open to students who have passed MARN 1003. 

Laboratory experiments, hands-on exercises, and field observations (including required cruise on research vessel) that teach fundamental oceanographic concepts emphasizing physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes and their interaction in the marine environment.

2002. Coastal Systems Science I

(210) Second semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 1002 or 1003 and any two of the following: BIOL 1107, 1108; CHEM 1127Q, 1128Q; PHYS 1201Q, 1202Q, 1401Q, 1402Q. McManus 

Biological, chemical, physical, and geological structure and function of coastal systems; a worldwide survey with emphasis on important coastal habitats and processes.

3000. The Hydrosphere

(200) Either semester. Three credits. Vlahos

Interactions of the hydrological, chemical and biological components of the hydrosphere. Transport, reservoirs and dynamics of water in environmental systems.

3001. Coastal Systems Science II

(211) First semester (Avery Point). Four credits. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: MARN 1002 or 1003 and any two of the following: BIOL 1107, 1108; CHEM 1127Q, 1128Q; PHYS 1201Q, 1202Q, 1401Q, 1402Q. Ward

Biological, chemical, physical and geological structure and function of coastal systems; a worldwide survey with emphasis on important coastal habitats and processes.

3003Q. Environmental Reaction and Transport

(220Q) Second semester. Four credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 1127Q and one additional semester of CHEM, BIOL or PHYS; one semester of calculus (MATH 1110, 1120, 1131 or 1151) or concurrent enrollment in Calculus (1110, 1131, 1151). Torgersen

An introduction to the chemical/biological reactions and transport dynamics of environmental systems. Mass balances, elementary fluid mechanics and the coupled dynamics of lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater and the atmosphere as biogeochemical systems.

3012. Marine Invertebrate Biology: Adaptations and Community Structure

(241) First semester (alternate years). Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 1107 and 1108; Recommended preparation: MARN 1002 or 1003 or instructor consent. Ward

Comparative examination of major adaptations and functional responses of marine invertebrates to biotic and abiotic factors in the marine environment. Field trips required.

3013. Environmental Physiology of Marine Animals

(242) First semester (alternate years). Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 1107 and 1108; Recommended preparation: MARN 1002 or 1003 or instructor consent. Ward

Introduction to the study of marine environmental physiology; behavioral and physiological adaptations of marine animals to different environments (intertidal, estuarine, coastal, oceanic); compensatory responses to changing ambient conditions; and basic animal energetics. Laboratory exercises focus on food consumption, energy transformations, and principles of physiological measurement.

3014. Marine Biology

(294) (Also offered as EEB 3230.) First semester (Storrs) second semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: One year of laboratory biology. Whitlatch/Storrs, McManus/Avery Point

The study of the kinds and distributions of marine organisms. Particular attention is paid to biotic features of the oceans, organism-habitat and relationships and general ecological concepts influencing marine populations and communities. Field trips are required. A fee of $10 is charged for this course.

3015. Molecular Approaches to Biological Oceanography

(265) First semester. Three credits. Two-hour lecture, three hour lab. Recommended preparation: one of BIOL 1108, MARN 4010, MCB 3010 . Lin

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.

3016. Marine Microbiology

(236) (Also offered as MCB 3636.) First semester. (Avery Point) second semester (Storrs). Three credits. Two lecture-discussion class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period for which field trips may be substituted. Prerequisite: MCB 2610, or instructor consent. Visscher

A general survey of the taxonomy, physiology and ecology of marine microorganisms.

3017. Plankton Ecology

(267) First semester. Three credits. Two 50 minute lectures and one 3 hour lab/recitation period. Prerequisites: MATH 1060Q or 1131, PHYS 1201Q or 1401Q, CHEM 1122 or equivalent, BIOL 1107 and 1108. Recommended preparation: MARN 1002. Consent of instructor for graduate students in lieu of requirements. Students who have taken both MARN 5014 and MARN 5016 cannot take this course for credit. Dam

Ecology of planktonic organisms (bacteria, protista and metazoa). The evolutionary ecology concept, methods of research, special features of aquatic habitats; adaptations to aquatic environments; population biology; predation, competition, life histories, community structure, and role of plankton in ecosystem metabolism.

3030. Coastal Pollution and Bioremediation

(282) First semester (alternate years). Three credits. Two class periods, 1 two-hour lab period. Required preparation: BIOL 1107, 1108 and CHEM 1127-1128 or instructor consent. Visscher

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.

3060. Coastal Circulation and Sediment Transport

(230) First semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 2002 and 3001; MATH 1120 or 1131 or 1110 or 1151. Bohlen

Circulation and mixing in estuaries and the inner continental shelf, including surface gravity waves, tides, and buoyancy and wind-driven circulation. Coastal sediments, geomorphology, and processes of sedimentation, erosion and bioturbation. Required field trips.

3061. Environmental Fluid Dynamics

(235) First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: PHYS 1202 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602; and MATH 2130 (may be taken concurrently). Bogden

Introduction to fluid dynamics with applications to coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and ground water flows. Topics include waves, tides turbulence, mixing, drag, lift, effects on organisms, and wind driven circulation.

3230. Beaches and Coasts

(203) (Also offered as GEOL 3230.) First semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 1002 or 1003 or GEOL 1050 or 1051 or consent of instructor.

Introduction to the processes that form and modify coasts and beaches, including tectonic setting, sediment supply, coastal composition, energy regimes and sea level change; tools and techniques utilized in marine geologic mapping and reconstruction of submerged coastal features; field trips to selected coastal features.

3244. Coastal Ecology

(244) Joint program with Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. Summer. Three credits. Offered at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. Prerequisite: One year college laboratory biology and permission of instructor.

A special introductory course providing students with theoretical as well as practical knowledge of ecological sampling techniques, estuarine productivity, and selected continental shelf communities. Laboratory portion of this course consists of a 5-day study cruise in coastal New England waters. (Special registration and fee: contact Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Mystic, CT 06355. 860-536-4208.)

3505. Remote Sensing of Marine Geography

(Also offered as GEOG 3505.) First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GEOG 2300 or MARN 1002.

Introduction to remote sensing applications in oceans and seas. Applications include image analysis of sea surface temperature, winds, altimetry, sea ice, chlorophyll, primary productivity, and bathymetry.

3801W. Coastal Studies Seminar

(255W) Second semester (Avery Point). Two credits. Prerequisite: MARN 2002 and 3001or instructor consent;  ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.  Kremer

Scientific analysis of coastal zone issues and their interdisciplinary implications. Written analysis and discussion of  primary literature.

3811. Seminar on Marine Mammals

(240) Joint program with Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. First semester. Three credits. One 3-hour class period; one field trip. Offered at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. Prerequisite: one year college laboratory biology and permission of instructor.

Instructors from different areas of expertise discuss the natural history, evolution, anatomy, physiology, husbandry, and conservation of marine mammals. Current research is emphasized. (Special registration and fee: Contact Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Mystic, CT 06355. 860-572-5955.)

3899. Independent Study

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

4001C. Measurement and Analysis in Coastal Ecosystems

(212C) First semester (Avery Point). Four credits. Two 1-hour lectures and two 3-hour laboratories. Required field trips. Prerequisite: Both MARN 2002 and 3001, or instructor consent. Mason

Examination of oceanographic processes in local coastal systems; collection and analyses of samples from field trips and lab experiments; data analysis using computers.

4002. Science and the Coastal Environment

(256) Second semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 2002, 3001, and 4001; or at least two (2) of the following: MARN 4030W, 4050W, and 4060. J. Kremer

Specific cases of multiple impacts on environmental resources and coastal habitats. Current scientific understanding as a basis for sociopolitical decision-making (e.g., land-use impacts on coastal processes in relation to zoning regulation and water-quality criteria).

4010. Biological Oceanography

(260) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 4030W and 4060 (both may be taken concurrently) or instructor consent. Open only with permission of department head. Dam, Lin, Visscher

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.

4030W. Marine Biogeochemistry

(280W) First semester. Three credits. Two 1-hour lectures. Prerequisite: CHEM 1128, MATH 1122 or 1132, PHYS 1202 or equivalents; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. Fitzgerald

Composition, origin and solution chemistry of sea water. Marine biogeochemical cycles of water, salt, carbon, nutrients, gases and trace elements. Effects of ocean circulation, biological cycles and crustal exchanges on the distribution and transfer of substances in the marine environment.

4050W. Geological Oceanography

(275W) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: One year of laboratory science in CHEM, GEOL, MARN and/or PHYS or instructor consent; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. Torgersen

Basic concepts in geological oceanography, plate tectonics and the role of ocean floor dynamics in the control of the Earth and ocean system.

4060. Descriptive Physical Oceanography

(270) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1202, 1402, 1502, or 1602; MATH 1122 or 1132. Whitney

Ocean basin characteristics, properties of sea water, distribution of water masses, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, waves, tides, near-shore circulation, methods and instrumentation.

4891. Internship in Marine Sciences

(297) Either semester. Variable credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit, not to exceed 3 credits. Recommended preparation: Nine credits of MARN courses at the Junior-Senior level. Consent of Instructor. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

An internship under the direction of MARN faculty. Placements stress application of academic training. A journal of activities is required. One credit may be earned for each 42 hours of pre-approved activities in a semester to a maximum of three credits.

4893. Foreign Study

(293) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required prior to the student's departure for foreign site.

Special topics in Marine Sciences taken in a foreign study program.

4895. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

4896W. Senior Research Thesis

(295W) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Three credits of MARN 3899, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. Recommended preparation; MARN 3801W. Open only with consent of instructor. Not limited to honors students.

Senior thesis reflecting independent research.

4898. Variable Topics

(296) Either semester. Variable credits: one to three. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.