Marine Biology

MR 101 Introduction to Marine Biology (back to previous page)
An introduction to the field of marine biology and the marine environments of southern Connecticut. Students will learn basic marine sampling techniques and basic organism identification. Students will also explore the different components of the marine environment, in particular Long Island Sound. This course is intended for marine biology majors and other students interested in learning about the field. Students are required to have hip waders. 1 credit hour.

MR 102 Seminar in Marine Biology (back to previous page)
An introduction to careers and research topics in marine biology. Every week students will explore new scientific questions in marine biology and learn about potential occupations within the field. This course is intended for marine biology majors and other students interested in learning about ongoing issues in the filed of marine biology. 2 credit hours.

MR 200 Oceanography with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: BI 121-122 or BI 253-254, Math 109 or higher, and high school chemistry. This course investigates the major aspects of physical, geological, chemical, and biological oceanography. Human impacts on the ocean environment are considered as well. The laboratory component provides hands-on experience with marine sampling, mapping, and measurements, as well as with computer simulations of ocean currents, tides, waves, and other oceanographic phenomena. 4 credit hours.

MR 260 Marine Vertebrate Zoology with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: BI 122 or BI 254. A survey of marine vertebrate phyla, focusing on taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, structure and function, physiological adaptations, and life modes. Laboratory includes real and virtual examination of the structure and anatomy of representative taxa from the phyla, laboratory experiments, and observations on the behavioral responses of certain organisms to environmental stimuli. 4 credit hours.

MR 300 Marine Ecology with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: BI 250, BI 320. Investigation of ecological structure and dynamics in marine and estuarine habitats at organismal, population, community, and ecosystem levels. Geographic aspects and human interactions with marine ecosystems are also considered. Designed around specific topics covered in lecture, the laboratory includes investigation of different types of estuarine and coastal habitats, field and laboratory techniques, and design of basic and applied marine ecological investigations. Some required weekend field classes. Laboratory fee; 4 credit hours.

MR 310 Marine Botany with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: BI 122 or BI 254 ; MR 200. A survey of plant and algae taxa inhabiting the marine and estuarine environment. Emphasis will be placed on the form and function of the major groups and their adaptation to the marine environment. The laboratory section will include exercises in lower plant taxonomy and morphology. Experiments in plant physiology and field trips to study intertidal plant communities will be included. Laboratory fee; 4 credit hours.

MR 320 Marine Pollution (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MR 300. A classification of the different forms of pollution in the marine environment. The fate and transport of different pollutants will be discussed as will the effects of pollutants on coastal and open marine ecosystems. 3 credit hours.

MR 330 Coastal Resources and Management (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MR 300. Examination of natural coastal resources, human uses and alterations, federal and international regulations shaping activities in the coastal zone, and coastal management at the international, federal, state, and local levels. Some weekend field classes may be required. 3 credit hours.

MR 331 Marine Conservation and Restoration (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MR 300. An investigation into the conservation of marine resources and the science of habitat recovery and restoration. Topics will include fisheries conservation, case studies of restored coastal habitats, assessment procedures, and evaluation of ecological function in restored habitats. 3 credit hours.

MR 410 Marine Aquaculture and Biotechnology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: MR 300. An examination of marine aquaculture and the use of marine resources in developing biotechnological products. The history of aquaculture and current aquaculture practices throughout the world are reviewed. Lectures are augmented by visits to commercial establishments and aquaculture research laboratories. The second portion of the course will focus on the development of marine biotechnology, marine products, and the relationship between aquaculture and marine biotechnology. Some required weekend field classes. 3 credit hours.

MR 420 Marine Biogeochemistry with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: CH 115-118, MR 300. A comprehensive study of the biogeochemistry of marine waters and sediments. Emphasis will be on biogeochemical cycling of key elements in marine and estuarine ecosystems and their role in global processes. Chemical analysis and field collection techniques together with experimentation into the partitioning of chemical species between sediment, water, and biota will be conducted in the laboratory portion of the class. Laboratory fee; 4 credit hours.

MR 501-502 Senior Project in Marine Biology I and II (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Marine biology major with senior standing Indi-vidual/group-based research in marine biology. Students will develop specific research projects, conduct literature searches, plan and conduct experiments, analyze the data, and present their findings in a written report and at a student conference at the end of the second semester. 3 credit hours each term.

MR 599 Independent Study ((back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Marine biology major, consent of the department. Weekly conferences with advisor. Opportunity for the student, under the direction of a faculty member, to explore an area of personal interest. A written report of the work carried out is required. 3 credit hours.