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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS


SAMPLE COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM

GENERAL EDUCATION DESIGNATION

DEPARTMENTS OFFERING DIVERSIFICATION COURSES

Oceanography (OCN)

School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology

The minimum required grade for undergraduate prerequisites is a C (2.0) or better, and graduate prerequisites is a B (3.0) or better.

OCN 100 Global Environmental Science Seminar (1) Seminar to introduce new GES majors to the research interests of GES faculty and the research facilities available within SOEST. Restricted to GES majors. CR/NC only. (Fall only)

OCN 120 Global Environmental Challenges (3) Scientific approach to evaluating human-caused environmental challenges and their potential solutions. Open to non-majors. (Spring only) DP

OCN 199 Introduction to Directed Research (V) Reading and research in any area of Oceanography under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable up to six credits. CR/NC only.

OCN 201 Science of the Sea (3) Structure, formation, and features of ocean basins; seawater properties and distributions; currents; waves; tides; characteristics of marine organisms; marine ecological principles; man and the sea. Field trip required. DP

OCN 201L Science of the Sea Laboratory (1) Experiments, computer exercises and field trips demonstrating the geological, physical, chemical and biological principles of earth and ocean sciences. A-F only. Co-requisite: 201. DY

OCN 310 Global Environmental Change (3) Global environmental change problems such as carbon dioxide and the greenhouse effect, acid rain, chlorofluorocarbons and the ozone layer, global deforestation and the effect on climate, etc. Pre: 201, MET 200, GG 101, GG 103, or GG 170; or consent. (Cross-listed as MET 310) DP

OCN 310L Global Environmental Change Laboratory (2) (2-hr Lab) Laboratory to supplement OCN 310. Quantitative aspects of global environmental change will be addressed through problem-solving and computer modeling. A-F only. Pre: MATH 242, PHYS 170/170L, CHEM 161/161L, and OCN 310; or consent. Co-requisite: 310 or consent. (Fall only) DY

OCN 312 Geomathematics (3) Mathematical methods of geologic and geophysical science. Emphasis on application to earth-science problems using linear algebra, vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, and numerical solutions. Pre: MATH 242 or consent. (Cross-listed as GG 312)

OCN 315 The Role of Models in Global Environmental Science (3) Introduction to philosophy of science for those with some background in the natural sciences. Special emphasis on issues arising from the construction and use of models. Pre: any course 200 or above in PHIL or any course 200 or above with either DB or DP designation, or consent. (Alt. years: spring) (Cross-listed as PHIL 315)

OCN 320 Aquatic Pollution (3) Pollution of freshwater and marine systems by human activities. Causes, consequences, and correctives. Pre: 201 or consent. DP

OCN 330 Mineral and Energy Resources of the Sea (3) Hard mineral and petroleum origins, exploration, and exploitation. Renewable and non-renewable resources distribution. Political and scientific constraints. Pre: 201, ORE 202; or consent. (Cross-listed as ORE 330) DP

OCN 331 Living Resources of the Sea (3) Marine fisheries, aquaculture, and law of the sea. Principles of management of renewable resources. Political and scientific constraints and limitations. DB

OCN 363 Earth System Science Databases (3) Combined lecture, discussion, and laboratory on global Earth system databases and satellite instrumentation, including computer laboratory. A-F only. Pre: 310/310L, and MATH 244; or consent. DP

OCN 395 Undergraduate Internship (V) Experiential approach to earth science; students serve as interns to field professionals; responsibilities include supervised field work. Undergraduate SOEST majors only. Open to GES majors. Repeatable one time. CR/NC only. Pre: junior/senior standing and consent.

OCN 399 Directed Reading (V) Directed reading in earth system science, oceanography, or environmental science. Repeatable up to 6 credits. Pre: consent.

OCN 401 Biogeochemical Systems (3) Relationship of biogeochemical cycles in the atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere to global chemical cycles and planetary climatic conditions. GES degree foundation and capstone course. A-F only. Pre: 201, 310/310L or MET 310/310L or OEST 310/310L, BIOL 172/172L, CHEM 162/162L, GG 101/101L, MATH 241, MATH 243 & 252A, MATH 373 (or ECON 321), MET 200, PHYS 170/170L, and PHYS 272/272L; or consent. (Fall only) DP

OCN 403 Marine Functional Ecology and Biotechnology (3) Marine functional genomics, biodiversity of marine natural habitats, marine microbial communities and their ecological functions, interactions of marine microbes and their host, climate change and marine biodiversity, marine biotechnology. A-F only. Pre: 201 or MICR 130, or consent. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as MBBE 405)

OCN 423 Marine Geology (3) Sediments, structure, geophysics, geochemistry, history of ocean basins and margins. Pre: GG 200 and GG 302, or consent. (Cross-listed as GG 423) DP

OCN 430 Introduction to Deep-Sea Biology (3) (1.5 Lec, 1.5 Discussion) Biology and ecology of deep-sea organisms and communities. Topics including bentho-pelagic coupling, depth zonation, energetics, diversity, adaptations, hydrothermal vents, seamounts, abyssal plains, deep-sea resource extraction and global climate change. A-F only. Pre: 201 and BIOL 265, or consent. (Alt. years)

OCN 435 Climate Change and Urbanization (3) The following topics will be addressed: How are cities impacted by, and impacting climate change? How do urbanization, alteration of atmospheric processes, and extreme weather events affect urban systems and populations? A-F only. Pre: 363 or consent. (Fall only)

OCN 444 Plate Tectonics (3) (2 Lec, 1 3-hr Lab) Quantitative geometrical analysis techniques of plate tectonics theory; instantaneous and finite rotation poles; triple-junction analysis; plate boundary stresses. Pre: GG 200 or consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as GG 444)

OCN 450 Aquaculture Production (3) Theory and practice of aquaculture: reproduction, yield trials, management, economics, and business case studies of fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. Field classes held at commercial farm and hatchery. Pre: ANSC 321 and ANSC 445: or BIOL 172/L and CHEM 162/L or higher. (Cross-listed as ANSC 450) DB

OCN 480 Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems: Biological-Physical Interactions in the Oceans (3) Combined lecture and discussion examining biological and physical interactions in the oceans and their impacts on the functioning of marine ecosystems. GES majors only. A-F only. Pre: 201, 201L, 310/310L, and PHYS 272/272L; or consent. (Alt. years)

OCN 481 Introduction to Ocean Ecosystem Modeling (3) Introduction to modeling biogeochemical and physical oceanic processes by building a coupled model of the Pacific to investigate physical effects on plankton blooms. Students learn ecosystem dynamics, basic numerical methods, and Matlab programming. A-F only. GES majors only. Pre: 310 or PHYS 272, and OCN/GG 312 (with a minimum grade of B-). (Spring only)

OCN 490 Communication of Research Results (2) Lecture/discussion to provide instruction and experience in oral and written presentation of scientific results and material. Registration limited to GES majors in their final semester. A-F only. Pre: consent.

OCN 496 Topics in Global Environmental Science (V) Lecture and discussion or seminar. Current topics in environmental science explored in detail. Typically offered by faculty in their specialties, or developed in response to student interest. GES majors only. Repeatable one time or up to six credits. Pre: consent.

OCN 499 Undergraduate Thesis (V) Directed research in which the student carries out a scientific project of small to moderate scope with one or more chosen advisors. The student must complete a document in the style of a scientific journal article. Repeatable one time or up to six credits. Pre: consent.

OCN 601 Marine Biology-Environments and Organisms (4) (3 hr Lec, 3 hr Lab) Introduction to the diversity of marine organisms and the many specialized coastal, reef, and oceanic habitats in which they live. Lab and field research exercises will complement lecture subjects. Graduate standing in Marine Biology graduate degree program only. A-F only. Pre: consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as MBIO 601)

OCN 620 Physical Oceanography (3) Introduction to properties of seawater, oceanographic instruments and methods, heat budget, general ocean circulation, regional oceanography, waves, tides, sea level. Formation of water masses, dynamics of circulation. Repeatable one time. Pre: MATH 242 (or concurrent), or consent.

OCN 621 Biological Oceanography (3) Factors governing productivity, population dynamics, distribution of organisms in major ecosystems of the ocean, emphasis on ecology of pelagic zone. OCN majors only. Pre: consent.

OCN 622 Geological Oceanography (3) Marine geological processes, ocean basin structure and tectonics, sedimentation. Pre: GG 101.

OCN 623 Chemical Oceanography (3) Chemical processes occurring in marine waters; why they occur and how they affect oceanic environment. Pre: CHEM 171.

OCN 625 Aquatic Photosynthesis (3) Biochemical and biophysical concepts of photosynthesis. Application and interpretation of ecological processes of photosynthesis in aquatic systems. Open to nonmajors. A-F only. Pre: consent. (Spring only)

OCN 626 Marine Microplankton Ecology (4) (3 Lec, 1 3-hr Lab) Distribution, abundance, and ecology of marine microplankton, including bacteria, algae, and protozoans, with an emphasis on metabolic rates and processes. Pre: consent. (Fall only)

OCN 627 Ecology of Pelagic Marine Animals (4) (3 Lec, 1 3-hr Lab) Ecology of pelagic animals including feeding, energetics, predation, and anti-predation tactics. Life-history strategies, vertical flux of materials, population dynamics, fisheries. Pre: consent. (Spring only)

OCN 628 Benthic Biological Oceanography (4) (3 Lec, 1 3-hr Lab) Processes controlling the structure and function of benthic communities, including organism-sediment-flow interactions, sediment geochemistry, feeding strategies, recruitment, succession, and population interactions. Pre: consent.

OCN 629 Molecular Methods in Marine Ecology (3) Molecular methods for studying marine functional ecology; emphasis on hand-on tools for ecological and biogeochemical processes of microbes; developing practical skills for research project in marine microbial ecology and biological oceanography. A-F only. Pre: 403, 626, 627, or 628; or consent. (Fall only)

OCN 630 Deep-Sea Biology (3) (1.5 Lec, 1.5 Discussion) Biology and ecology of deep-sea organisms and communities. Topics including bentho-pelagic coupling, depth zonation, energetics, diversity, adaptations, hydrothermal vents, seamounts, abyssal plains, deep-sea resource extraction, and global climate change. Pre: consent. (Alt. years)

OCN 631 Ocean Minerals (3) Distribution, origin, processes of formation. Sulfides, oxides, and placer minerals. Comparative studies of continental ore bodies. Submarine rift, subduction, and abduction. Pre: one of 622, 623, GG 407, or GG 603.

OCN 633 Biogeochemical Methods in Oceanography (3) (1 Lec, 2 3-hr Lab) Current methods of analysis used in the ocean sciences, both in the field and in the laboratory. An ocean-going field trip provides students with hands-on training in sample collection and processing. The latter is followed by laboratory analyses of the collected samples throughout the remainder of the semester. Pre: BIOL 171 and CHEM 161 and GG 101; or consent.

OCN 637 Aquatic Microbial Geochemistry (3) The synergy between the biogeochemistry of element cycling and the microbial organisms involved, interfacing across disciplines from the perspective of a practical blend of aquatic chemistry, microbiology, biogeochemistry, and molecular biology. Pre: 623 and consent. (Alt years: fall)

OCN 638 Earth System Science and Global Change (3) Global view of the planet and how it functions as an integrated unit. Biogeochemical processes, dynamics, and cycles, and analysis of natural and human-induced environmental change. Chemical history of ocean-atmosphere-sediment system and co-evolution of the biota. Repeatable one time. Pre: BS in environmentally related science or one year of chemistry, physics, and calculus. (Cross-listed as GG 638)

OCN 640 Observational Physical Oceanography (3) Application of the scientific method; physical regimes in the ocean; ocean processes and observational strategies; resolution, sampling, array design and observing systems; models and data assimilation; major field programs; operational oceanography and climate prediction. Pre: 620 and consent.

OCN 641 Origin of Sedimentary Rocks (3) (2 Lec, 1 3-hr Lab) Environment of deposition and subsequent diagenesis of modern and ancient sediments. Petrogenesis of siliciclastic, carbonate and orthochemical rocks. Sedimentology, sedimentary petrography and geochemistry. Repeatable one time. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as GG 641)

OCN 642 Elemental Composition Changes (3) Changes in the chemical composition of meteorites, bulk Earth, Earth's mantle and crust, sedimentary rocks, hydrosphere and biosphere, and underlying principles. Pre: consent. (Cross-listed as GG 642)

OCN 643 Topics in Marine Geochemistry (3) Seminar on a broad topic; discussion and critique of research papers. Repeatable one time. Pre: 623 or consent.

OCN 644 Sedimentary Geochemistry (3) Geochemical thermodynamics and kinetics and their use in interpreting the origin of sediments, sedimentary rocks, and natural waters over a range of pressure-temperature conditions. Pre: CHEM 171, MATH 242, PHYS 152; or consent. (Cross-listed as GG 644)

OCN 650 Math Techniques for Oceanographers (5) (3 Lec, 2 3-hr Lab) Introduction to numerical methods, data analysis, error propagation, box models, linear and nonlinear least squares, perturbation theory, numerical integration. Pre: MATH 244 or MATH 253A.

OCN 660 Ocean Waves I (3) Survey of wave types-acoustic, capillary, gravity, inertial, vorticity. Basic wave concepts emphasized: phase and group velocities, standing waves, energy conservation, dispersion, refraction, diffraction. Rotation and boundary effects are covered: reflection, basin modes, trapping, tides. Pre: MATH 402 or consent.

OCN 661 Ocean Waves II (3) Baroclinic gravity waves, inertial waves, mid-latitude Rossby waves, topographic waves, equatorial waves. Pre: 660 or consent.

OCN 662 Marine Hydrodynamics (3) Introduction to classical hydrodynamics and continuum mechanics. Techniques for solution of Navier Stokes equations on various scales of oceanic motion; potential theory, dynamic modeling, and viscous and rotational processes. Pre: MATH 403.

OCN 665 Small-Scale Air-Sea Interaction (3) Observations and theory of small-scale processes which couple the atmosphere and ocean boundary layers, including introduction to turbulence theory and parameterization of turbulent fluxes. Pre: MATH 402 and MATH 403 (or their equivalents) and either 620 or MET 600, or consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as MET 665)

OCN 666 Large-Scale Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions (3) Lecture/seminar introduces physical oceanography and meteorology students to the state-of-the-art theories and observations of large-scale ocean-atmosphere interaction, as well as conveying the fundamental understanding that has been developed during the past 30 years. Emphasis will be on phenomena such as El Nino/Southern Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and global climate change. Repeatable one time. Pre: 620 or MET 600, or consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as MET 666)

OCN 667 Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics I (3) Basic concepts and equations to describe large-scale ocean circulation; numerical models; boundary layers; models of wind-driven circulation of a homogeneous ocean. Pre: 620 and 662, or consent.

OCN 668 Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics II (3) Thermodynamics of stratified fluids; convection; mixing; models of the thermohaline circulation; the role of eddies in the large-scale ocean circulation. Pre: 667 or consent.

OCN 674 Paleoceanography (3) Study of the paloeceanographic and paleoclimate evolution of the Earth's oceans, atmosphere, and biosphere. Repeatable one time. Pre: consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as GG 674)

OCN 680 Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems: Biological-Physical Interactions in the Oceans (3) Combined lecture/discussion examining biological and physical interactions in the oceans and their impacts on the functioning of marine ecosystems. A-F only. Pre: previous course in marine science, or consent. (Alt. years)

OCN 681 Introduction to Ocean Ecosystem Modeling (3) Introduction to modeling biological and physical oceanic processes by building a coupled model of the Pacific to investigate physical effects on biological production. Students will learn biological-physical dynamics, basic numerical methods, and Matlab programming. Pre: 620, 621, or consent. (Alt. years)

OCN 699 Directed Research (V) Repeatable unlimited times. Pre: consent. CR/NC only.

OCN 700 Thesis Research (V) Research for master's thesis. Repeatable unlimited times.

OCN 750 Topics in Biological Oceanography (V) Seminar. Literature and concepts in one of several active fields considered in detail. Repeatable up to 12 credits. Pre: consent.

OCN 760 Topics in Physical Oceanography (V) Near-shore processes, advanced mathematical techniques, recent developments, etc. Typically given by visiting professors in their specialties, or in response to student interest. Repeatable up to 12 credits.

OCN 770 Seminar in Chemical Oceanography (1)

OCN 780 Seminar (1) Oceanographic topics of current interest. Repeatable unlimited times.

OCN 791 Proposal Development (2) Introduction to the organization and functioning of oceanography funding agencies, the peer-review process, and the design and development of a research proposal. Repeatable one time. CR/NC only. Pre: two of the following: 621, 626, 627 (or concurrent), or 628 (or concurrent); or consent.

OCN 800 Dissertation Research (V) Research for doctoral dissertation. Repeatable unlimited times.