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.

135. The Sea Around Us

Second semester. Three credits.

History of ocean exploration, interaction between the oceans and the atmosphere, impact of technology on the marine environment, climate modification and exploitation of ocean resources. CA 3.

170. Introduction to Oceanography

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 171. 

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. CA 3.

171. Introduction to Oceanography with Laboratory

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 170. Codiga/P.Kremer

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.

172. Oceanography Laboratory

Either semester. One credit. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MARN 170 or equivalent. Not open to students who have passed MARN 171. 

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.

200. The Hydrosphere

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.

210. Coastal Systems Science I

Second semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 170 and any two of the following: BIOL 107, 108, CHEM 127Q, 128Q, PHYS 121Q, 122Q, 131Q, 132Q. Open to sophomores or higher. J. Kremer 

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

211. Coastal Systems Science II

First semester (Avery Point). Four credits. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisites: MARN 170 and any two (2) of the following: BIOL 107, 108; CHEM 127Q, 128Q; PHYS 121Q, 122Q, 131Q, 132Q. Ward

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

212C. Measurement and Analysis in Coastal Ecosystems

First semester (Avery Point). Four credits. Two 1-hour lectures and two 3-hour laboratories. Required field trips. Prerequisites: MARN 170 and any two (2) of the following: BIOL 107, 108; CHEM 127Q, 128Q; PHYS 121Q, 122Q, 131Q, 132Q. J. Kremer

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

220Q. Environmental Reaction and Transport

Second semester. Four credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 127Q and one additional semester of CHEM, BIOL or PHYS; one semester of calculus (MATH 112, 115, 118 or 120) or concurrent enrollment in Calculus (115, 118 or 120). 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.

230. Coastal Circulation and Sediment Transport

First semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 210 and 211; MATH 112 or 115 or 118 or 120.

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.

235. Environmental Fluid Dynamics

First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: PHYS 122 or 132 or 142 or 152; and MATH 220 (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.

236. Marine Microbiology

(Also offered as MCB 236.) 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 229, or instructor consent. Visscher

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

240. Seminar on Marine Mammals

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.)

241. Marine Invertebrate Biology: Adaptations and Community Structure

First semester (alternate years). Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 and 108 ; Recommended preparation: MARN 170 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.

242. Environmental Physiology of Marine Animals

First semester (alternate years). Three credits. Prerequisite: BIOL 107 and 108; Recommended preparation: MARN 170 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.

244. Coastal Ecology

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.)

255W. Coastal Studies Seminar

Second semester (Avery Point). Two credits. Prerequisite: MARN 210 and  211 or instructor consent;  ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

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

256. Science and the Coastal Environment

Second semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 210, 211, and 212; or at least two (2) of the following: MARN 270, 275, and 280. 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).

260. Biological Oceanography

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN  270 and MARN 280 (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.

265. Molecular Approaches to Biological Oceanography

First semester. Three credits. Two-hour lecture, three hour lab. Recommended preparation: one of BIOL 108, MARN 260, MCB 204. 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.

270. Descriptive Physical Oceanography

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 122, 142 or 152; MATH 114 or 116. Codiga

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

275W. Geological Oceanography

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: One year of laboratory science in CHEM, GEOL, MARN and/or PHYS or instructor consent; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Torgersen

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

280W. Marine Biogeochemistry

First semester. Three credits. Two 1-hour lectures. Prerequisite: CHEM 128, MATH 114 or 116, PHYS 122 or equivalents; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 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.

282. Coastal Pollution and Bioremediation

First semester (alternate years). Three credits. Two class periods, 1 two-hour lab period. Required preparation: BIOL 107, 108 and CHEM 127-128 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.

294. Marine Biology

(Also offered as EEB 294.) 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.

296. Variable Topics

Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

297. Internship in Marine Sciences

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 40 hours of pre-approved activities in a semester to a maximum of three credits.

298. Special Topics

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

299. Independent Study

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