Undergraduate Courses
MAR/BIO 050 - Window to the Oceans
This is a course in marine biology designed for the
non-science major. Students will be introduced to the major groups
of marine organisms, diverse coastal habitats, adaptations and
distribution of organisms within marine habitats, and the
potential for human impact on marine organisms and the
environment. Current discoveries and "hot topics" within the field
of marine biology will also be discussed. Laboratory work will
include hands-on experience with sampling methods and equipment
from both shore-based and boat-based platforms, general
identification of marine plants and animals, and first-hand
observation of different coastal habitats, their residents and
unique adaptations. This course will be taught at the Marine
Science Consortium in Wallops Island, VA.
MAR/GEL 110 - Introduction
to Oceanography
An introductory course designed to introduce students
from diverse backgrounds to the physical, chemical, biological and
geological aspects of the oceans and to the methods and techniques
of this rapidly expanding field. Emphasis is placed on lab and
at-sea assignments which focus the student's attention on the
interrelationship and unity of oceanography, and its relation to
other environmental sciences.
A study of birds east of the Rocky Mountains with
special emphasis on the birds of the Middle Atlantic States. Field
study emphasized with trips to seashore, valley and mountain
areas. Laboratory and field identification physiology, morphology
and ecology of birds are emphasized.
A study of plant and animal life in the marine
environment. Emphasis will be placed upon physical and chemical
environmental factors affecting the biota in the intertidal, open
water, and benthic habits. Common biota characteristics of each
habitat will be investigated in terms of their natural history,
morphology, and ecological relationships.
PREREQUISITES: Botany and Zoology or consent of the
instructor.
MAR/GEL 237 - Field Methods in Oceanography
A course to familiarize students with the dynamic
marine environment and field work on board small research vessels;
to instruct in the use and application of standard oceanographic
instruments and sampling devices: to promote and encourage
independent research through the initial stages of a scientific
project.
PREREQUISITES: MAR 110-111 or consent of the instructor.
MAR 250 - Wetland Ecology
The ecology and management of wetland wildlife,
particularly of freshwater marshes and saltwater marshes. Special
emphasis on ecosystem approach.
MAR/BIO 260 - Marine Invertebrates
A study of the invertebrate
phyla with emphasis on development, reproduction, structure and
function of selected marine organisms. Laboratory and field
experience will be given in collection, preservation and
classification of the phyla.
PREREQUISITES: One year biology or consent from instructor.
An introduction to basic principles of ecology and
natural history of selected plants and animals in terrestrial,
freshwater, and marine environments. Course is suitable for
non-science majors.
MAR 298 - Selected Topics in Marine Science
A selection of individual topical courses developed to
present information in a specific area of study. Course titles
vary depending upon needs and interests to the students and
expertise of the faculty. May be repeated for a total of six
credit hours.
MAR 298A - Marine Microbiology
A survey of methods and concepts of marine
microbiology. Attention will be given to technical aspects of
sample collection, microbial ecology of the marine environment,
enrichment culturing, methods of enumeration and identification
with emphasis on marine bacteria.
PREREQUISITES: One year of Biology or consent of the
instructor.
MAR 298C - Marine Invertebrates
A study of the life, history, habits, origin,
development, physiology, anatomy and taxonomy of the main phyla of
invertebrates. A phylogenetic sequence is followed to show
interrelationships among the phyla. Special emphasis is given to
the Atlantic marine invertebrates. Laboratory and field work deal
with collection, preservation and identification of local species.
PREREQUISITES: One year of Biology or consent of the
instructor.
MAR 298D - Marine Mollusks
PREREQUISITES: One year of Biology or consent of the
instructor.
MAR 298E - Behavior of Marine Organisms
Distribution, behavior, physiology, and observation of
the influences of external and internal factors on the regulation
and control behavior of organisms living in the marine coastal
environment.
PREREQUISITES: One year of Biology or consent of the
instructor.
MAR/BIO 320 - Physical Ecology of Animals
This course will provide an introduction to the
physiology of animals utilizing a comparative and ecological
approach. The course will cover the topics of respiration,
circulation, metabolism, osmoregulation, thermoregulation,
locomotion, and sensory systems in the context of comparing the
mechanisms and strategies utilized by animals from different
habitats and phylogenetic groups. Some emphasis will be placed on
organisms occupying various marine habitats, but freshwater and
terrestrial animals and habitats will also be included. Laboratory
investigations will examine the physiological responses of both
invertebrates and vertebrates to common environmental stresses
such as salt load, temperature variation, oxygen supply, and pH
change. These investigations may be accomplished through
measurements and observations in the field, as well as through
experimental manipulations in a laboratory setting.
PREREQUISITES: One semester of organic chemistry, and
zoology, or consent of the instructor.
A study of the ecology of marine organisms, the
relationships of plants and animals to the physical, chemical and
biological factors and their zonation and community structure.
Analysis of current issues in marine ecology will also be
addressed. Laboratories will include classroom investigations of
population and community relationships and a MANDATORY weekend
field trip to Wallops Island, VA.
PREREQUISITES: One year of college biology and MAR 110
recommended or consent of the instructor.
MAR 331 - Chemical Oceanography
This is the study of sea water, oceanic particulate
matter and sediments in context of chemical cycles, especially
cycles of carbon dioxide, nutrients, metals and radioisotopes.
Correlations are made between chemical cycles having periods from
years to thousands of years and biological and physical processes.
Correlations are made between chemical cycles having longer
periods and geochemical processes. Measurements of the
concentrations of major ions, trace elements and nutrients in sea
water are made by wet chemical and physical methods.
PREREQUISITES: MAR 110, CHM 100-101 and CHM 102-103 or
consent of the instructor.
MAR/BIO 338 - Ecology of Marine Plankton
A study of the phytoplankton and zooplankton in marine
and brackish environments. Qualitative and quantitative
comparisons will be made between the planktonic population of
various types of habitats in relation to primary and secondary
productivity. This course will be offered summers at the Marine
Science Consortium, Wallops Island, VA.
PREREQUISITES: One year of biology
The distribution, population size, physiology,
evolution, adaptations and ecological relationships of marine
mammals will be studied with an emphasis on mammals of the
Atlantic Ocean. This course will stress hands on understanding of
marine mammal physiology, behavior and species diversity.
Laboratory and field work will include an extended off-campus
field trip to facilities holding and/or studying marine mammals of
the NE Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the laboratory portion of this
course will emphasize data collection in the field, and subsequent
analysis and presentation of the data through a required
mini-research project.
PREREQUISITES: Five courses in biology, and at least Junior
class standing prior to the start of the course or consent of the
instructor.
(Humpback whale observed on Dr. Wendy Ryan's
Marine Mammal field course last summer - click
on the image to launch a short video.)
A study of the fishes. Specimens collected along our
Eastern Seaboard by the student will be used to illustrate the
anatomy, physiology and systematics of this major vertebrate
group. Field collections will also give the student the
opportunity to observe the relationships of these animals to their
biotic and physical environment.
PREREQUISITES: General Biology and Zoology, or consent of
the instructor.
A study of marine and marine fringe plants of the
Middle Atlantic Coast, their taxonomy, ecology, distribution, life
histories, physiology, and economic status. Techniques of
collecting, preserving, identifying and herbarium cataloging will
be stressed. Exercises in plant ecology, deep core pollen analysis
and marine microbiology will be included.
PREREQUISITES: A course in general Biology and/or one
semester of Botany or consent of the instructor.
MAR/GEL 346 - Sedimentology &
Stratigraphy
The basic composition,
transport, diagenesis and distribution of sediments are introduced
along with the principles governing he classification,
correlation, interpretation, of stratified rocks are presented by
means of lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips.
Laboratory exercises demonstrate procedures used in analyzing and
presenting stratigraphic data. Field trips are employed to
introduce the student to stratigraphic principles and local
stratigraphic problems.
PREREQUISITES: GEL 100-101 and either GEL 102-103, GEL/MAR
366-367 or permission of instructor.
The interdisciplinary study
of the interactions between biological communities and the ocean
environment as observed in the distribution of coastal plankton,
fish and benthic invertebrates. Field studies of sample
populations will be compared to quantitative environmental
variables using state-of-the-art sampling equipment. Topics
covered include: the effect of current transport on plankton at
barrier island passes, the effect of submarine banks on fish
populations, ground truth data for satellite imagery, the
epibenthic population studies of near-shore and inter-tidal
environments. This course will be offered summers at the Marine
Science Consortium, Wallops Island, VA.
PREREQUISITES: One year of college biology. RECOMMENDED:
Introduction to Oceanography.
A study of coral reef types and the relationship of
reef organisms to their environment. Emphasis is given to species
diversity/identification, symbiosis, and effects of abiotic
factors, predation, and competition on the abundance and
distribution of coral reef organisms. A segment of this course
involves on-site study of the biology of tropical reefs/organisms
and the accumulation of species population data usually at Roatan,
Bay Islands, Honduras, but other reef locations may be used.
PREREQUISITES: 4 courses in biology designated for science
majors and SCUBA certification required.
The study of earthquake seismology and the basic
geophysical methods such as gravity, magnetics, seismic
refraction, seismic reflection, electrical resistivity, and
electro-logging. The laboratory exercises and field work using
portable geophysical equipment will familiarize the students with
the various methods used to collect and interpret geophysical
data.
PREREQUISITES: GEL 100-101 or MAR/GEL 110-111, PHY 040-041,
PHY 042-043 or PHY 100-101 PHY 102-103.
MAR/BIO 360 - Anatomy of Marine Chordates
A course designed to familiarize the students with the
qualitative aspects of the speciation process; to lay the
groundwork for understanding the basic and specialized structure
of marine chordates: to trace the most obvious or important trends
( and their functional significance) in the evolution of this
basic structure in various vertebrate lines. The laboratories will
be devoted in large to a reasonably thorough dissection of
representative marine vertebrates particularly those collected
live on field trips.
PREREQUISITES: Six semester hours of biology including
general zoology.
MAR 364 Physical Oceanography
This course is a study of the physical properties of
the oceans which include; mass and energy budgets; the cause,
nature, measurement, analysis and prediction of tides, currents
and waves, and basic instrumentation used in field work.
PREREQUISITES: MAR 110-111, one year Physics, Algebra, and
Trigonometry and one semester Calculus or consent of the
instructor.
A study of the structural and sedimentary environments
of the continental shelf, slope, and ocean basin. The crustal
structure of the earth and its relation to the sedimentary record
and geological history of the oceans is examined. sampling and
laboratory procedures used by the marine geologists are introduced
to the students.
PREREQUISITES: GEL100 (Physical Geology) or MAR110 (Intro to Oceanography) or permission of
the instructor or consent of the instructor.
MAR 370 - Independent Research in Marine
Science
This course is designed to allow a student to study
individually in a specialized area under the direction of a
faculty member. The research topic must be appropriate to the
student's background and approved by the faculty member directing
the student.
PREREQUISITES: Senior level with an emphasis in Marine
Science having completed at least 20 credit hours in Marine
Science Courses.
MAR 380 - Senior Seminar in Marine Science
Readings and discussions in the area of the individual
student's interest in preparation for the comprehensive
examination in Marine Science. Required of all liberal arts
students majoring in Marine Science.
MAR 390 - Internship in Marine Science
Supervised, practical work experience in laboratory
and/or field situations. Students interested in developing an
individualized vocationally oriented program which may assist in
future career options may structure a work-study experience with
the cooperating agency or organization. A proposal outlining the
work-study experience should be submitted to the student's
supervising faculty member and the department chairperson. Clock
hours will be determined by the cooperating agency based upon the
proposal and scheduled clock hours, but a maximum of 4 credits may
be applied toward Arts and Sciences electives. Additional credit
cannot be applied to the 128 credit hour graduation requirements.
PREREQUISITES: Junior and Senior standing and approval of
department head.
MAR/BIO 280 - Field
Biology 
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