Program Overview

Marine Science (MSC) Program Details

Introduction to Marine Science Courses

• MSC 101: Survey of Oceanography: Introduction to the oceans and their significance to mankind, encompassing geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes; man's role in and on the sea, including fisheries, pollution, and ocean management. Not for major or minor.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• MSC 104: Molecules of Life: Molecules of Life explores the modern science of biological molecules, which occurs at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and medicine. We examine the major molecular components of the cell--proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, etc. --and illustrate the role of chemical principles in understanding their structure and function. Not for major or minor.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 105: Shark Behavioral Ecology & Conservation Semester: SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM ONLY. In this course, students will learn core concepts in shark behavioral ecology and key aspects of shark biology needed for the holistic understanding and study of shark behavioral ecology and conservation. NOT FOR MAJOR OR MINOR.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Summer
• MSC 106: Biology of Marine Megafauna: SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM ONLY. This course will review the biology, adaptations, and applications to medicine, management, and research of large marine animal species (e.g., marine mammals, sharks, rays, turtles, etc). The course is primarily lecture based but supplemented with peer-reviewed literature papers and various texts.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Summer
• MSC 107: Life in the Sea: Lectures provide an introduction to the plants and animals of the sea, including plankton, nekton and the benthos, with anthropogenic impacts. Not for major or minors.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Summer
• MSC 108: Environmental Oceanography: This course will focus on environmental issues facing the oceans today, including global climate destabilization, the impact of population growth on coastal environments, marine pollution, and the state of marine fisheries. An active learning approach will be adopted, with emphasis on case studies and critical analysis.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall

Core Marine Science Courses

• MSC 111: Introduction to Marine Science: Geological, physical, chemical and biological processes of the world's oceans. The role of the oceans in global dynamics and man's role in and on the sea, including fisheries, pollution and ocean management. Enrollment limited to Marine Science/Marine Affairs majors and minors. Lecture and discussion, 3 hours. Field trips.
  • Requisite: Marine Science Major or Minor
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 112: Introduction to Marine Science Lab: Laboratory and field exercises to accompany Marine Science.
  • Pre/Corequisite: MSC 111. And Marine Science Major or Minor
  • Components: LAB
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Specialized Marine Science Courses

• MSC 115: Tropical Marine Biology: A field and lecture study of selected marine environments around South Florida, with emphasis on the interaction between organisms and the geological, physical, and chemical environment. Summer Scholars Program Only.
  • Components: LAB
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Summer
• MSC 116: Marine Conservation: SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM ONLY. The purpose of this class is to introduce students to a wide range of conservation topics regarding marine environments around the world, with an emphasis on marine mammals. This class will cover current natural and anthropogenic threats to a variety of marine organisms and the current conservation and management efforts to mitigate these threats.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Summer
• MSC 121: Ocean Currents: Ocean Currents will be a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary course on the history, geography, socio-economics, and physics of ocean currents. The importance of ocean currents to socioeconomics, weather, climate, transport of fish larvae and pollutants, distribution of plankton and fish, military operations, and shipping will be illustrated using many examples.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only

Advanced Marine Science Courses

• MSC 203: Foundations of Computational Marine Science: The course provides a basic introduction to Computational Marine Science. The course will use Python as a programming language and will illustrate its use in problem solving and exploratory data analysis in the Marine Sciences.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 204: Environmental Statistics: This introductory course provides an overview of parametric and nonparametric statistics with an emphasis on applications in the analysis of environmental data.
  • Pre-requisite: MTH107 or higher, OR Co-requisite ALEKS score >=70, OR SAT Math Section Score =670, OR Math ACT Score >= 29, OR AP Calculus AB score of 3. Not open to students with credit in BIL311 or equivalent.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 215: Chemical Oceanography: An introduction to the chemistry of the oceans. Descriptive chemical oceanography of the components of ocean waters (metals, gases, organic compounds and nutrients). Biogeochemical cycles in oceanic systems.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111 and CHM 121
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 216: Chemical Oceanography Laboratory: Chemical and physical methods in chemical oceanography. Analytical and instrumental techniques used to determine density, salinity, chlorinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and components of the carbonate system.
  • Pre/Corequisite: MSC 215 and Prerequisite: CHM 113
  • Components: LAB
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Marine Science Electives

• MSC 217: Physical and Chemical Processes in Coastal Ecosystems: This course is primarily intended for students enrolled in the Marine Affairs program to serve as an introduction to the role of physical and chemical processes in estuarine and coastal ecosystems in the context of the management of estuarine and coastal waters.
  • Prerequisite: CHM 110 or CHM 121 And MSC 111
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 218: Biological Oceanography: This course will examine energy flow in marine ecosystems, the biogeochemical cycles that control them, the wide variety of types of communities and ecosystems in different parts of the ocean, and the changes they have undergone over geological timescales.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 219: Introduction to Sustainability Science: The field of sustainability science emerged in the late 1980s after international negotiations resulted in a global recognition of the need to reduce environmental degradation to meet the needs of future generations.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 220: Climate and Global Change: The Earth's climate system and the role of natural and anthropogenic processes in shaping climate change.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Research and Thesis Courses

• MSC 411: Research in Marine Science: Individual, independent research projects in Marine Science with faculty supervision. A formal written report is required after every semester. Each credit of research will correspond to a minimum of 3 hours of hands-on research experience per week.
  • Requisite: Junior or Senior Standing
  • Components: THI
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• MSC 412: Undergraduate Thesis in Marine Science: Students will write a formal thesis summarizing the results of independent research carried out under faculty supervision. The thesis must be reviewed and approved by a committee. An approved public presentation of research findings (oral or poster presentation) is required at the end of the term.
  • Pre-Requisite: ATM 411 or GSC 411 or MBE 411 or MSC 411, And Requisite: Senior Standing
  • Components: THI
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Galapagos Semester Abroad Program

• MSC 351: Climate, Oceanography, and Biogeography of the Galapagos: This course and its companion describe the climate, oceanography of the Galapagos Islands, and explore the ways the physical environment has influenced biodiversity on the islands.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 352: Biophysical Dynamics in the Ocean: Biogeography and Evolution of the Galapagos: Course expands aspects of bio-physical description of the Galapagos in comparison with other systems.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 420: Political Ecology of the Galapagos: This field course in the Galapagos National Park offers a rare chance to examine the human interactions in this highly politicized landscape of conservation.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 421: Terrestrial Biology and Adaptations of the Galapagos: This course will examine the terrestrial plant and animal life of Isabela Island, discuss the biology and how it adapted to life on Isabela.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 422: Marine Ecology of the Galapagos: This course focuses on marine ecosystems of the Galapagos, emphasizing near-shore environments.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 423: Marine Conservation Biology and Fisheries of the Galapagos: The Galápagos are located in a uniquely productive area of the sea, which has allowed the development of rich and unique marine biota.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 424: Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands: This course will explore the origin and geology of volcanic oceanic islands, using the Galapagos Islands as a natural laboratory.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 425: Galapagos Community-Based Research and Service: Individual, civic engagement activities identified in consultation with the people, national park and local government of Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela, as part of the marine science semester program in the Galapagos Islands.
  • Components: PRA
  • Grading: CNC
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 427: Field experience in the Galapagos: Three week Summer I field course explores the flora, fauna, geology, and society of the Galapagos Islands.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111 or ECS 111 or Permission of Instructor
  • Components: PRA
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Summer
• MSC 429: Vertebrate Zoology of the Galapagos: Examining the form and function of the vertebrate lineage from the evolution of cartilaginous and bony fish to the emergence of tetrapods with an emphasis on modern vertebrates in each lineage.
  • Prerequisite: MBE 230
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall

Additional Courses

• MSC 172: Special Topics in Marine Science: Content varies by semester and is indicated in parentheses following course number and title in class schedule.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only
• MSC 180: Seminar in Marine Science: Seminar in current research as conducted by Marine Science faculty and graduate students.
  • Pre/Corequisite: MSC 111
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: SUS
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 190: Studies in Marine Science: For transfer courses taken at other institutions that have no direct equivalents at UM
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
• MSC 191: Studies in Marine Policy: For transfer courses taken at other institutions that have no direct equivalents at UM
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• MSC 301: Introduction to Physical Oceanography: Application of the laws of physics to the study of the properties and circulation of the world's oceans and atmosphere.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111. And MTH 162. Or MTH 172
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 302: Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab: Laboratory exercises and field work on basic fluid mechanics applicable to the ocean.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 301 or ATM 405. Or Co-requisite: MSC 301 or ATM 405
  • Components: LAB
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 313: Coastal Law: Basic doctrines and public policy related to the use and regulation of the United States coastal zone and seabed.
  • Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 314: Ocean Law: The principles of international ocean law regarding ocean management; ocean delimitation and issues of environmental ocean regulation within international legal framework.
  • Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 317: Earth's Biogeochemistry: Outstanding features of planet Earth, including its vast oceans, climate and atmosphere, are strongly impacted by life.
  • Prerequisite: CHM 121
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only
• MSC 321: Scientific Computing in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences: This course will present practical computational approaches to solve problems commonly encountered in marine and atmospheric science.
  • Prerequisite: MTH 210 And MSC 203 or CSC 120
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 325: Biological Oceanographic Techniques: Field sampling for plankton biomass and productivity; benthic biomass, and of selected physical parameters.
  • Prerequisite: MBE 230
  • Components: LAB
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only
• MSC 332: Planetary Science, The Search for Life, & Oceans Across the Solar System: This course is intended to provide undergraduate students an exciting introduction to the search for life in the universe, with an emphasis on contemporary planetary science methods, astrobiology, oceans across the solar system, and lessons from Earth as an analog environment.
  • Pre-Requisites: MTH 107 or higher and sophomore standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 338: Coastal Oceanography: This course explores the dynamic processes that shape the coastal ocean environment.
  • Prerequisites: MSC 111 and 112; MSC 204 or MTH 224
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 339: Marine and Coastal Protected Area Theory and Practice: This course shall present the study and analysis of marine and coastal protected areas (MPAs) in an interdisciplinary manner, consisting of a review of the various theoretical aspects of MPAs (ecology, economics, and socio-cultural dimensions), an evaluation of governance approaches, and a review of management and planning outcomes.
  • Prerequisite: ECO 211
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 340: Ocean Policy: Analysis of ocean policy issues in US fisheries, marine conservation and marine protected areas, marine pollution, coastal management and regulation of offshore oil and gas activities.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111 and MSC 313 Or MSC 314 and Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 341: Sunken Ships and Submerged Sites: An Introduction to Underwater Archaeology: The course serves to provide an overview of underwater archaeology, covering general concepts, methods, field techniques, time periods and their associated unique sites and discoveries, as well as an introduction to professional application in preservation, management, and how popular media plays a role in public education and outreach.
  • Requisite: MSC 111 AND Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 342: Decision Making and the Environment: A basic, critical appreciation of interdisciplinary decision theory as applied to natural resources management.
  • Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 345: Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment: A comprehensive overview of the economics of national, international, and global environmental problems.
  • Prerequisite: ECO 211
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 346: Climate Science and Policy: The scientific evidence for, and the projected consequences of, climate change. The political and geo-engineering responses to the problem.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111. Or ATM 103. Or ECS 111. And Requisite: Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 348: Sea Level Rise: Sea-level rise (SLR) is one of the most serious and challenging consequences of climate change.
  • Prerequisites: MSC 111, and MTH 108 or higher
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 360: Spatial Applications in Marine Science: The concepts and marine applications of Geographic Information Systems.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111 and MSC 112 and Requisite: Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 371: Readings in Marine Science: Library research and discussion on selected topics under faculty supervision.
  • Rosenstiel majors only
  • Components: DIS
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring
• MSC 372: Special Topics in Marine Science: Content varies by semester and is indicated in parentheses following course number and title in class schedule.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only
• MSC 373: Writing the GRFP and Graduate School Applications: Writing the GRFP (graduate research fellow proposal) and Graduate School Applications is a practical course for undergraduate students interested in applying to graduate school next year or in the future.
  • Requisite: Junior or Senior Standing
  • Components: DIS
  • Grading: SUS
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 380: Field Studies in Marine and Aquatic Science: Field course to selected marine, estuarine and/or aquatic sites in the United States and abroad.
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only
• MSC 390: Advanced Studies in Marine Science: For transfer courses taken at other institutions that have no direct equivalents at UM
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
• MSC 391: Advanced Studies in Marine Policy: For transfer courses taken at other institutions that have no direct equivalents at UM
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer
• MSC 401: Ocean Dynamics: This course provides an introduction to the mathematical description of fluid flows in the ocean.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 301 and MTH 162 and PHY 201 or PHY 221 or equivalent
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 402: Ocean Acidification: Ocean Acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
  • Prerequisites: MSC 215 and MSC 216 and Pre or Corequisite: MSC 218
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 405: Observing the Ocean: In this course you will learn how we measure the movement and properties of the ocean using instrumentation on ships, drones, drifters, robotic floats, moorings, aircraft, satellites and more.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 204 and MSC 215 and MSC 301
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 417: Marine Biota and Biogeochemical Cycles: The distribution of dissolved particulate materials in the sea is not uniform in time or space.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 215
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall
• MSC 418: Climate Law: Climate Law evaluates the interactions between climate and the law, with an emphasis on existing laws and the gaps in current legislation related to the climate environment.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 220 and Requisite: Junior or Senior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall Even Years
• MSC 419: Microbial Geochemistry of the Ocean: An overview of how microbes respond to and modify the chemistry of the ocean, focusing on the geochemical consequences and signatures of microbial activity in the ocean.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111 and MSC 215 and BIL 150 or BIL 160
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 440: Environmental Governance: Environmental governance is an interdisciplinary field of research and practice focused on understanding the root causes of environmental problems and imagining creative solutions.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 217
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Spring
• MSC 460: Spatial Applications in Marine Science: The concepts and marine applications of Geographic Information Systems.
  • Prerequisite: MSC 111 and MSC 112 and Requisite: Junior Standing
  • Components: LEC
  • Grading: GRD
  • Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Notes

• The Marine Science program offers a wide range of courses, from introductory courses to specialized and advanced courses, covering various aspects of marine science, including physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes, as well as policy, conservation, and management.
• The program also offers research and thesis courses, allowing students to engage in independent research projects and write a formal thesis under faculty supervision.
• The Galapagos Semester Abroad Program provides students with a unique opportunity to study the flora, fauna, geology, and society of the Galapagos Islands.
• The program includes courses on climate change, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and environmental governance, reflecting the importance of these topics in the field of marine science.