Advanced Marine Ecology
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
A graduate level course to improve the understanding of ecological processes by building upon the foundations provided by introductory ecology classes. Emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms that control the
distribution of plants and animals at scales ranging from the individual organisms to the ecosystem. Assigned readings from the scientific literature will cover the entire range of marine habitats and will reflect recent thinking on the major concepts and problems in ecological theory. Prerequisites - An introductory ecology or marine ecology course. ....(See Schedule)
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Benthic Ecology
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
The course covers the evolutionary history and the ecology of marine benthic communities from the earliest fossils to the present. The importance of scale and of proper study design will be considered. Other topics include predation, competition, adult/larval interactions and dispersal mechanisms. The second half of the course is devoted to discussion of productivity and materials cycling in benthic systems, including the relative importance of grazing and detritus in different ecosystems, as well as the role of chemosynthesis. Special topics of students' suggestions conclude the course. Prerequisites - General Ecology or Marine Science.
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Biological Oceanography
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
Biological oceanography is an 'earth science' that focuses on patterns and processes that are of consequence to the interaction of organisms and the sea. Biological oceanography encompasses both pelagic and benthic environments, however, some specialized shallow marine environments are beyond the usual scope of oceanographic study (e.g., littoral zone and coral reefs). In this course, the student will be introduced to not only our current understanding of biological oceanographic processes, but to the historical perspective of how this understanding came to be. This will be accomplished through weekly reading assignments of the primary literature - discussion of these papers will be integrated into the lecture. Students will participate in basic experimental and descriptive biological oceanography - these exercises are intended to provide the student with some of the fundamental tools and procedures in use by biological oceanographers. These tools cut across other disciplines such as chemistry, physics and geology. Prerequisites - Graduate student status in one of the physical or biological sciences departments. Special considerations to other students may be granted with the instructor's and the student's departmental chairperson.
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Chemical Oceanography
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
An in-depth examination of the chemistry of seawater and its relationship with biological, geological and physical processes in the oceans. Coverage of seawater composition, buffering capacity, redox potential, and photochemistry will form the basis for an in-depth analysis of dynamic equilibria of gases, organic materials, nutrients and trace elements in the sea. Critical evaluation of recent literature in chemical oceanography will be used to illustrate state-of-the-art research approaches. Prerequisites - Admission to graduate program in Marine Science.
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Chlorophyll Fluorescence Techniques
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
This course will provide an introduction to the scope and application of fluorescence techniques based on excitation of and emission from the ubiquitous plant pigment chlorophyll a. These include fluorometric determination of chlorophyll concentration in vitro; the use of active, single-wavelength fluorometry to assess temporal and spatial variability of chlorophyll a and microalgal biomass in natural assemblages; the use of multiple-wavelength excitation and/or hyperspectral emission to determine taxonomic distribtions in vitro; and the use of modulated (pulse-amplitude and fast repetition rate) fluorometry to investigate photosynthetic efficiency and model productivity. Prerequisites - Permission of the instructor; prior instruction in parametric statistics (linear regression and analysis of variance).
Coastal Ecosystems Dynamics
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics will allow students to investigate the basic principles of ecosystem structure and function. The course is divided into two parts: an instructional phase for learning basics of ecosystem modeling, and a student-led investigation of the structure and function of a variety of coastal ecosystems.
This approach will give the student a set of quantitative tools for modeling ecosystems. In addition, students will learn to evaluate differences and similarities of energy and nutrient processing in disparate ecosystems.
There will be one 2-hour class meeting each week during which students will learn to use the ecological modeling software packages 'Ecopath' and 'Ecosim'. During the initial period, students will 'dissect' published models (obtained from the Internet) as a mechanism to understand the utility of ecosystem modeling as well as the basics of this particular software. The second half of the course will be devoted to student-constructed ecosystem models. The models will be constructed from data and pathway descriptions in Alongi's 'Coastal Ecosystem Processes' (CRC Press). A synthesis of these models will be constructed and placed on the Internet. Prerequisites - None, though students are encouraged to complete on the following courses: Biological Oceanography, Advanced Marine Ecology, Fisheries Oceanography.
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Coral Reef Ecology
Advanced Undergraduate/Graduate (4 sem hrs / 6 qtr)
This course will examine the ecology and evolution of coral reef communities, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps, with exploration of such issues as the degradation of reef-building corals by macroalgae, hurricanes, coral bleaching, diseases of corals and sea urchins, over-fishing, and pollution. Students will participate in lectures and field exercises in the vicinity of Dauphin Island, and will take a one-week field trip to Andros Island, Bahamas. Note: There is an additional $600 fee (above the standard 4-week fees at DISL) to cover ground and air transportation, room and board, and use of the Forfar field station in the Bahamas. Prerequisites - A course in either ecology or marine ecology, or permission of the instructors. ....(See Schedule)
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Directed Studies
Graduate (Variable 1 - 6 hrs)
This course will provide students the opportunity to explore research areas that may help them in developing a thesis prospectus or in selecting a major professor. Additionally, the course will provide student's who have an approved thesis prospectus the opportunity to learn new techniques, to work in different geographical or disciplinary research other than the student's major professor. Directed Studies may be taken to enhance a student's research experience, but it is not intended to substitute for research credit that is directly related to a student's thesis project. Prerequisites - Students may enroll by special arrangement. All students registering for Directed Research must be accepted by a DISL faculty research supervisor who will be in residence at the Sea Lab during the research. ....(See Schedule)
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Dissertation Research
Graduate (Variable 1 - 6 hrs)
Research directly related to the Ph.D. Dissertation prospectus as approved by the student's graduate committee. Prerequisites - Students may enroll by special arrangement. All students registering for Dissertation Research must be accepted by a DISL faculty research supervisor who will be in residence at the Sea Lab during the research. .... (See Schedule)
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Estuarine Hydrodynamics
Graduate (3 sem hrs / 4.5 qtr)
The course address physical processes in estuarine environments. With physical processes in estuaries occurring in various time scales, discussion will provide in terms of three different time scales: turbulent, tidal, and residual time scales. Emphasis will be placed on mass transport by physical transport processes (water movement). .... (See Schedule)
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Estuarine Science
Advanced Undergraduate/Graduate (3 sem hrs / 4.5 qtr)
The course will provide a general survey of estuarine ecosystems with particular emphasis on the interaction between physical, geological, chemical and biological processes in these dynamic systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms through which physical and chemical processes regulate biological production and organism distributions. Emphasis in the lab will be placed on developing an understanding of the tools that scientists use to study estuarine processes, and on the comparative ecology of the Gulf of Mexico estuaries. Prerequisites - Introductory level courses in chemistry, physics or geology, and biology or consent of the instructor. ...(See Schedule)
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Field Marine Science - Florida
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
The Field Marine Science course will consist of a 10-day field exercise in representative tropical sites in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Faculty members with diverse interests will accompany the students, participate in pre-trip readings and discussion sessions and evaluate the product developed by each student. Each student will be expected to develop a small research project to be undertaken on the trip. A project outline and justification will be presented in writing to the course supervisor for approval prior to the trip. Information provided should include: project objectives, study methods, sites to be utilized and logistical/supply needs.
Projects will be completed after return from the trip and a written and oral report prepared. Prerequisites - None.
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Field Marine Science - Maine
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
The Field Marine Science course will consist of a 12-day field exercise in coastal Maine with emphasis on rocky intertidal, kelp bed and eelgrass habitats. Two faculty members (K. Heck and J. Valentine) will participate in pre-trip discussions on the background readings, help plan research projects, accompany students on field exercises, and evaluate the research product developed by each participant. We will also have several lectures, discussion sessions and three scheduled half-day field trips while in Maine. Prerequisites - Marine Biology.
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Fisheries Oceanography
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
An examination of the relationships between fish life history, recruitment dynamics and harvest potential, and local-, meso-, and global scale oceanographic processes. Students are exposed to the evolution in thinking on the role of interaction between biology and physics relative to fish and fisheries. This "readings" type course, by design, is geared toward student participation at an advanced and
interactive level. Prerequisites - None.
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Fisheries Techniques
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
Students are exposed to a detailed, sem hrsi-quantitative introduction to current biological and technological methodologies for studying fishes and aquatic habitats, with emphasis on study design and integration
across sub-disciplines. Prerequisites - Ichthyology (or Marine Vertebrate Zoology) or an introductory course in Fisheries. Introductory Statistical Methods would be valuable but not required.
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Geological Oceanography
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
Geological oceanography encompasses the historic and current consequences of both geophysical and classic geological processes. Included topics are tectonic theory and its development, sedimentary processes in coastal and oceanic provinces, stratigraphy, structural geology, micropaleontology, erosion, diagenesis and the formation of hydrocarbons. Prerequisites - Admission to the graduate program in Marine Sciences. ... (See Schedule)
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Introduction to Neurobiology
Advanced Undergraduate (4 sem hrs) / Graduate (5 sem hrs)
Students will be introduced to the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of marine invertebrates and vertebrates. The following aspects of neurobiology will be featured: resting potentials, action potentials, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters, sensory transduction, muscle innervation, sensorimotor transformations, and neurophysiological bases of behavior. The Neurosim program is a package of programs that will help to illustrate basic principles of neurophysiology and neural networks. The program allows a detailed exploration of aspects of cellular neurobiology beyond the level that time and equipment constraints permitted in standard laboratory classes. Prerequisites - Introductory biology. The following are recommended but not required: physiology/neuroscience, general chemistry, general physics, or permission of the instructor. ....(See Schedule)
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Marine Analytical Instrumentation
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
The course will provide an overview of the major analytical tools available to marine scientists in the laboratory. The focus will be three-fold: to provide classes of instrumentation, to provide an overview of specific applications of these tools in marine science and to provide a 'hands-on' working knowledge of the
instrumentation available at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Prerequisites - Undergraduate degree in science with at least two chemistry courses and/or consent of the instructor.
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Marine Biogeochemical Processes
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
The course will examine the interaction between biological, chemical and geological processes in the marine environment. By first reviewing the cycling of several of the major elements (e.g. carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and iron) in the sea; and then examining how these cycles differ between various marine ecosystems. The focus will be on developing an understanding of how biogeochemical processes serve to regulate ecosystem function in these various habitats. Prerequisites - Students with a background that includes basic inorganic and organic chemistry, geology, marine ecology and oceanography will benefit most from this course. If you have any questions, please contact the instructor.
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Marine Biogeography and Paleobiology
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
This graduate level course will give students a broad overview of the time course of evolutionary changes in the structure and function of marine ecosystems, and will consider the interacting roles of both historical and current factors as they influence the distribution and abundance of marine organisms. Lectures will be mixed with discussions of assigned readings from the primary literature to stimulate critical thinking about the various topics. Prerequisites - An introductory ecology or marine ecology course.
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Marine Conservation Biology
Advanced Undergraduate/Graduate (4 sem hrs)
The intent of this course is to develop the students' understanding of conservation biology by building upon the foundations provided in the introductory marine ecology class. The instructor will provide an introductory lecture designed to present: 1) the historical perspective for the assigned readings, and 2) a brief review of the basic ecological concepts covered in the assigned readings. In addition, field trips will round out the students' understanding of how current conservation principles are applied in the marine realm. Assigned readings will be selected to cover the widest possible range of topics in marine conservation. In some cases, readings will come from disciplines outside of the marine sciences. Students will be required to develop a topical term paper and give a short presentation to the class on their chosen topic. Prerequisites - introductory class in either marine or general ecology or permission of the instructor. .... (See
Schedule)
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Marine Fish Diseases
Advanced Undergraduate/Graduate (3 sem hrs)
This course will introduce students to aquatic animal diseases, specifically finfish and shellfish. Students will learn practical microbiological techniques for isolation and identification. Prerequisites - General Biology; microbiology suggested but not required. .... (See Schedule)
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Marine Larval Ecology
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
This course introduces the student to the breadth of scientific research involving larvae of marine animal populations. Though a small portion of the course will be devoted to a taxonomic survey of the larval forms of marine species, the vast majority of the course will be process-oriented, often cutting across boundaries between biology, physics and chemistry. The scope of the course will include nutrition and feeding, dispersal and recruitment, bio-energetics, behavior, and bio-physical coupling. This course is reading intensive focusing on both historical and topical articles from the primary literature. Prerequisites - Graduate status in a physical or biological sciences department and the successful completion of either biological oceanography or advanced marine ecology.
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Marine Microbial Ecology
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
A general survey of the types of micro-organisms found in the marine environment. Emphasis will be on the interaction of micro-organisms with each other and with their environment. In particular, the role of micro-organisms in carbon cycling and biogeochemical processes will be stressed. Readings from current literature will be used to illustrate the latest research approaches in marine microbial ecology. Prerequisites - None.
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Marine Plankton
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
The course familiarizes the student with the taxonomic breadth of phytoplankton, bacterioplankton and zooplankton in estuaries, coastal seas and open oceans. Though the focus is on taxonomic familiarization, basic biology of all major taxa represented in the plankton will be covered. Students will learn fundamental, as well as 'cutting-edge', field, lab and statistical techniques. Prerequisites - Graduate status in one of the physical or biological sciences. Students must be knowledgeable of processes and ecological concepts of marine systems: therefore, completion of either Biological Oceanography or Advanced Marine Ecology is required. Special exceptions may be offered to students that can demonstrate to the instructors a proficiency in the above courses. .... (See
Schedule)
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Marine Resource Management
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
Designed to acquaint graduate students concerned with management of marine resources, development of legislation, evolution of policy, legal processes and impacts on human resources. The emphasis will be
placed on living resources. Prerequisites - Admission to Graduate School.
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Marine Zooplankton
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
This course familiarizes the student with the taxonomic breadth of estuarine and marine zooplankton ranging from protistans through all major phyla of metazoa. Though the focus of the course is on taxonomic familiarization, basic biology (including reproduction and feeding) of all major taxa represented in the plankton will be covered. Students will also learn basic and advanced field collection, laboratory and statistical techniques. Although not a prerequisite, it is useful for students to have a background in invertebrate zoolology....(See Schedule)
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Ocean Variability and Global Change
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
This course examines large-scale, spatial and temporal variability in the earth/ocean system as evidenced by present-day and paleo records. Variability such as the El Nino Southern Oscillation will be covered.
It will critically evaluate the evidence for and the consequences of modern global change as it pertains to the marine environment. Emphasis will be placed on potential changes in climate, biogeochemical cycles, hydrologic cycles, eutrophication/species diversity, and UV light fluxes. Prerequisites - Permission of the instructors.
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Oceanographic Experiences
Undergraduate / Graduate (Variable 1 - 3 sem hrs hrs)
Oceanographic Experiences is designed to give students an educational opportunity to participate in a substantial oceanographic cruise. This course will allow the student to apply learned information from the classroom to the field research environment. Prerequisites - Students are encouraged to complete one upper division marine sciences course offered through the summer program (undergraduates) or one of the following graduate courses: Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography or Physical Oceanography. ....(See Schedule)
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Oceanology of the Gulf of Mexico
Advanced Undergraduate/Graduate (3 sem hrs)
A descriptive study of the Oceanology of the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters including coastal zone, continental shelf and deep ocean. This course provides a survey of the physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and meteorology of the continental margins and deep ocean regions in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent waters. Prerequisites - Science major or permission of the instructor. .... (See Schedule)
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Ocean Science
Information and description of this course will be available soon.
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Physiological Ecology of Marine Microalgae
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
Microalgae are a fundamental component of marine ecosystems, whether as
freely-dispersed plankton, sediment-associated microphytobenthos,
epiphytes growing over submerged aquatic vegetation, or as coralline
endosymbionts. This course will cover the acclimative responses to
variations in the availability of light, nutrients and temperature; and
the stress responses that are engendered when variability in these
environmental factors exceeds the organisms’ acclimative capacity. The
course will emphasize the commonality of these processes across taxa as
well as considering taxon-specific responses that allow different groups
to exploit their niches. The course will also cover methods such as
molecular biology, active fluorescence and remote sensing that can be
used to investigate population dynamics and growth over a range of
spatial and temporal scales.
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Physical Oceanography
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
Physical properties and circulation of the world's oceans. Topics to be covered include: basic physical laws; properties of heat, water, and salt budgets; waves; tides; large and small scale circulations; sea-level
fluctuations; interactions of the sea with the atmosphere and land masses; light and acoustics. Prerequisites - Admission to graduate program in Marine Sciences. Biological Oceanography or equivalent..... (See Schedule).
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Quantitative Methods in Fisheries and Ecology
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
Ecological and fisheries research has progressed beyond qualitative inference and is continuing to develop and apply more quantitative methods. A diversity of modeling and experimental approaches exists for ecologists and fisheries scientists. This course is designed to familiarize students with the most commonly used quantitative approaches. The goal of the course is to provide the students with the knowledge necessary to critically evaluate various modeling and quantitative approaches. In-class demonstrations and take-home problems will provide the students with experience in performing many of these analyses. Prerequisites - Permission of the instructor..... (See Schedule)
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Seagrass Ecosystems Ecology
Graduate (2 sem hrs)
A survey of current literature on topics related to the ecology of seagrass ecosystems. Students will read assigned papers to be analyzed in a faculty lead-discussion format. A final comprehensive paper will be prepared by each student. Prerequisites - Graduate Standing.
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Sediment Biogeochemistry
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
To provide students with an in depth knowledge of sediment biogeochemical processes and the implications thereof on nutrient cycles, plant production and animal distribution. Emphasis will be on early diagenesis in coastal sub-tidal and wetland sediment systems. Lab sessions will expose students to sediment sampling techniques and methods for the analysis of biogeochemical processes and pore water constituents. Prerequisites - Chemical oceanography or permission of instructor.
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Seminar
Graduate (1 sem hrs)
Students and faculty meet weekly in an interactive discussion of current literature in marine sciences. The focus will be on state-of-the-art theories and methodologies as they occur in the primary marine literature in pursuit of the research degree, students will learn to critically review the approaches, analyses and interpretations of scientific research with the tutelage of the faculty. This sem hrsinar will link the inter-disciplinary components of the students and faculty in a stimulating and interactive manner. Prerequisites - Admission to the graduate program in Marine Sciences. .... (See Schedule)
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Special Topics
Graduate (Variable 1 - 6 sem hrs hrs)
An in-depth tutorial exposure to specific areas in the marine sciences. Credit and title will be arranged to examine the matter in an area of current interest to one or a group of students. Specialized topics not currently listed in catalog course offerings. Prerequisites - Students may enroll by special arrangement. All students registering for Special Topics must be accepted by a DISL faculty research supervisor who will be in residence at the Sea Lab during the research.
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Thesis Research
Graduate (Variable 1 - 8 sem hrs hrs)
Research directly related to the thesis research prospectus as approved by the student's graduate committee. Prerequisites - Students may enroll by special arrangement. All students registering for Thesis Research must be accepted by a DISL faculty research supervisor who will be in residence at the Sea Lab during the research. ...(See Schedule)
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Trophic Fate of Production
Graduate (3 sem hrs)
This course will examine the nature and controls of the trophic routes followed by primary production and resulting carbon budgets in coastal ecosystems. The variability in herbivory, consumption by secondary consumers, decomposition, export off the community and burial among different types of coastal communities, such as phytoplankton communities, sand flats, macroalgal beds, seagrass meadows, marshes and mangroves, will be analyzed. Current theories of the causes of such variability will be summarized and discussed critically. It is expected the students will actively contribute to the evaluation of these theories through critical reading and discussion of existing papers and personal experimental projects. Finally, the course will offer a review of ongoing anthropogenic effects, such as eutrophication and climatic change, on the trophic fate of primary production and carbon budgets in coastal ecosystems. Prerequisites - Marine Ecology and/or Biological Oceanography, or permission of the instructor. .... (See Schedule)
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