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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SAMPLE COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM

GENERAL EDUCATION DESIGNATION

DEPARTMENTS OFFERING DIVERSIFICATION COURSES

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 102 Introduction to the Environment and Sustainability (3) Introduction to principles of environmental science and sustainability as they apply to ecosystems. Sustainability will be introduced through active learning with an emphasis on sustaining resources and mitigating pollution to ecosystems.Repeatable one time. A-F only. (Cross-listed as SUST 112) DB

OCN 105 Sustainability in a Changing World (3) Environmentally sustainable and non-sustainable practices, and the impacts of climate change, on the development and spread of human societies from pre-history to the 1500s in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Hawai‘i/Oceania. Active learning environment. (Cross-listed as SUST 115) FGA

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 150 Introduction to Quantitative Earth and Environmental Science (3) Introduction to pre-calculus math and physics applied to Earth and environmental science. Students work on real-world problems and engage in participatory learning. Preparatory for classes in calculus and physics. Pre: MATH 134, 161, or MATH assessment exam (with score required for MATH 140). (Fall only) (Cross-listed as ATMO 150 and GG 150) FQ

OCN 196 Research Experiences in Marine Science (3) Inquiry-driven and experimental marine biology summer program based on the expertise of HIMB researchers whose specialties demonstrate how human impacts and global change affect coral reef ecosystems. Emphases on student team research projects. Repeatable one time. High school or UG freshman only. (Summer only)

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. Pre: 201 (or concurrent). 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, ATMO 200, GG 101, GG 103, or GG 170; or consent. (Cross-listed as ATMO 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. (Fall only) DY

OCN 312 Advanced Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers I (3) Advanced mathematical methods with emphasis on application to the earth and ocean sciences and engineering. Topics include linear algebra, vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, and numerical methods. 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 318 Introduction to Environmental Monitoring Systems and Measurements (3) Introduction to environmental monitoring systems for earth science students. Students will learn how to construct, program, and deploy simple environmental monitoring systems to collect in-situ environmental data. OCN, GG, ATMO majors only. A-F only. Pre: 201/201L or GG 101/101L, CHEM 161/161L, and MATH 241; or consent. (Fall only)

OCN 320 Aquatic Pollution (3) Pollution of freshwater and marine systems by human activities. Causes, consequences, and correctives. Pre: 201, CHEM 161, BIOL 171. 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-Mai ke Kai Mai ke Ola (3) Marine fisheries, aquaculture, and law of the sea. Principles of management of renewable resources. Political and scientific constraints and limitations. Sophomore standing or higher. DB

OCN 340 Ecology of Infectious Diseases and Symbioses (3) Introduction to the ecology of infectious diseases of animals, plants, and humans. Factors affecting disease transmission and virulence. Effects of human activities and environmental change on disease transmission. Emphasis on issues pertinent to Hawai‘i. A-F only. Pre: BIOL 171 and BIOL 172; or consent. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as PEPS 340)

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 242; 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 ATMO310/310L or OEST 310/310L, BIOL 172/172L, CHEM 162/162L, GG 101/101L, MATH 241, MATH 243 & 252A, MATH 373 (or ECON 321), ATMO200, 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 418 Advanced Environmental Monitoring Systems and Measurements (3) Builds upon 318 using more advanced microprocessors and environmental sensors, 3D printing, programming, etc. to construct, program, and deploy environmental monitoring systems to collect and stream in-situ time-series environmental measurements. OCN, GG, ATMO majors only. A-F only. Pre: 318, MATH 242, PHYS 272/272L, and CHEM 162/162L; or consent. (Fall only)

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 441 Principles of Sustainability Analysis (3) Introduction to the principles of sustainability analysis through execution of Life Cycle Analysis applied to products, processes, or systems. LCA and the evaluation of environmental impact will be presented. Personal computer or laptop (Word 97 or higher) OS, and minimum of 4GB RAM. Repeatable one time. Junior standing or higher. A-F only. Pre: (CHEM 161 and PHYS 170) with a minimum grade of C-; or consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as CEE 441 and SUST 441)

OCN 442 Principles of Environmental Management Systems (3) Introduction to the process of developing Environmental Management Systems that address the principles outlined in ISO14001:2015. Repeatable one time. Junior standing or higher. A-F only. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as PLAN 442 and TIM 462)

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) DP

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 172/172L and CHEM 162/162L or higher. (Cross-listed as ANSC 450) DB

OCN 457 Ridge to Reef: Coastal Ecosystem Ecology and Connectivity (3) Watershed and coastal biogechemistry/ecosystem science. Emphasis on field surveying and sampling of stream and reef habitats; laboratory chemical/biological analyses. Analysis of land use impacts on ecosystem health and ahupua‘a resource management. A-F only. Pre: 201/201L, 310; or consent.

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 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 unlimited times, credits earned 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. MB ad OCN majors only. A-F only. Pre: consent. (Fall only) (Cross-listed as MBIO 601)

OCN 602 Marine Biology-Processes and Impacts (4) (3 hr Lec, 3 hr Lab) Investigation of biological phenomena and processes related to productivity and food webs, community structure and ecology, adaptations, and physiology, and impacts of human activities and fisheries. Graduate standing in Marine Biology graduate degree program only. MB and OCN majors only. A-F only. Pre: 601. Minimum prerequisite grade of B. (Spring only) (Cross-listed as MBIO 602)

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. OCN and MB majors only. 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) (2 Lec, 1 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 653 Methods in Microbiology Oceanography (3) (1 8-hr Lab) Modern methods for sampling microbial populations from the sea and for quantifying biomass and in siturates of metabolism. Integrated field projects, theme varies. OCN majors only. Pre: 621 or 623, and 626; or consent.

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 663 Satellite Oceanography (3) Techniques of satellite observations of the ocean, including temperature, pigment concentration, currents, and winds; analysis of a satellite data set as term project. A-F only. OCN majors only. Pre: 620 or consent.

OCN 664 Oceanographic Instrumentation and Technology (3) Measurement techniques in physical oceanography, including pressure, temperature, salinity, oxygen, optical sensors, current meters, navigation systems, ocean acoustics, and mooring structures. Includes a laboratory research project. A-F only. OCN majors only. Pre: 620 or consent.

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 ATMO 600, or consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as ATMO 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 ATMO 600, or consent. (Alt. years) (Cross-listed as ATMO 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 programming. Pre: 620, 621, or consent. (Alt. years)

OCN 682 Introduction to Programming and Statistics in R (3) (3 hr Lec/Lab) Introduces project management, data analysis, and mathematical and statistical modeling using R as a platform. Students will learn principles and benefits of programming languages to apply skills to their own research. (Spring only)

OCN 683 Advanced Statistics in R (3) (2 hr Lec, 1 hr Lab) In-depth introduction to the modern statistical methods necessary for analyzing biological/ecological data, including GLMs, GAMs, mixed models, ordination, etc. Students will learn how to perform these methods in R. (Fall only)

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 three times, credits earned 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 unlimited times.

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. OCN majors only. 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.