Course Descriptions

This course covers the skills necessary to live and work safely aboard oceangoing research vessels. Emphasis is placed on the unique safety requirements aboard oceangoing vessels and the skills needed for oceanographic work. Upon completion, students should be able to safely live and work aboard an oceanographic research vessel conducting offshore scientific operations.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 0, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 1.
• Corequisite: Full time Marine Technology enrollment or permission of the Department Chair.

This course covers the skills necessary to live and work safely aboard oceangoing research vessels. Emphasis is placed on maintaining a 24-hour navigation log and weather watch and safely conducting over-the-side biological sampling operations. Upon completion, students should be able to maintain a weather log, plot a cruise track, and safely use biological sampling gear.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 0, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 1.
• Prerequisite: MSC 110.
• Corequisite: Full time Marine Technology enrollment or permission of the Department Chair.

This course covers the skills necessary to live and work safely aboard oceangoing research vessels. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the navigational and hydrographical techniques needed to conduct an offshore bathymetric survey. Upon completion, students should be able to accurately navigate a vessel, gather bathymetric data, and prepare a depth contour plot of a predetermined quadrant.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 0, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 1.
• Prerequisite: MSC 112.
• Corequisite: Full time Marine Technology enrollment or permission of the Department Chair.

This course covers the skills of boat handling, the practice of seamanship, and safety and survival in the marine environment. Topics include safe boat handling, seamanship under adverse conditions, fire fighting, man overboard rescue, PFDs, EPIRBs, distress signals, lifeboats, and life rafts. Upon completion, students should be able to competently operate small powerboats and demonstrate proficiency in the use of marine fire fighting and lifesaving equipment.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course offers a practical approach to the mechanical and technical skills needed by technicians in a variety of marine-related jobs. Topics include industrial safety, measurement systems, hand and power tools, fasteners, corrosion protection, project design, and construction and cost estimation. Upon completion, students should be able to safely use hand and/or power tools and understand a variety of measurement and pricing systems.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 1, Lab 4.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course covers fundamental theory, troubleshooting, and maintenance of marine engines and related equipment, especially outboards. Emphasis is placed on maintenance and operational procedures, including corrosion control, lubrication, propellers, carburetors, two-cycle theory, magneto ignition, batteries, starters, alternators, and trailers. Upon completion, students should be able to understand how a marine engine and related components work, perform minor repairs, and properly maintain them.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 1, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 2.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course introduces modern rope seamanship and fishing gear theory, design, repair, and analysis as it relates to fisheries research. Emphasis is placed on various practical knots, rope splicing, marine hardware, biological sampling gear classifications, and the basics of net construction, repair, and design. Upon completion, students should be able to implement marlin spike skills; repair netted material; and identify, design, and construct various types of biological entrapment and entanglement gear.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course offers further experience and instruction in fishing gear theory and design and the collection and recording of biological data. Emphasis is placed on the general skills needed to design, construct, and repair complex sampling gear and be employed as a fisheries technician. Upon completion, students should be able to understand and apply fishing gear design and construction techniques and collect, compile, and record biological data.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 1, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 2.
• Prerequisite: MSC 132
  

This course provides training in marine piloting and electronic navigation techniques. Topics include use of charts, instruments, navigational aids, compasses, nautical publications, radar, GPS, LORAN, and depth sounders, with an emphasis on plotting techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in the safe navigation of vessels utilizing and interpreting information obtained from navigational aids.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course introduces the various types of oceanographic instrumentation used for the collection of data and samples by the oceanographic community. Emphasis is placed on data recording procedures, proper operation, safe handling, and calibration, maintenance, and repair of instruments. Upon completion, students should be able to safely and correctly use the instruments covered to conduct accurate field measurements.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 1,Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 2.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course introduces the basic concepts, processes, and techniques of photography with emphasis on marine applications. Topics include proper camera operation, composition, exposure, lighting techniques, and the processing of black and white films and papers. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in the operation of a camera and portable lighting tools with consistent exposures and darkroom techniques.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course provides a general description of the geology, chemistry, and physics of the oceans. Topics include a history of oceanography, bathymetry, plate tectonics, seawater chemistry and physics, atmospheric circulation, currents, waves, tides, sedimentation, and coastal geology. Upon completion, students should be able to describe bathymetric features, the chemistry and physics of seawater, atmospheric and ocean circulations, marine sediments, and coastal processes.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 4, Lab 0.
• Semester Hours Credit: 4.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course utilizes field trips to the beach, salt marsh, and other habitats to study marine animals and plants in their natural communities. Topics include divisions of the marine environment, distribution of life in the ocean, and the interrelationships of marine organisms in various habitats. Upon completion, students should be able to scientifically identify various marine species and describe the role they fill in their biological communities.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.
  

This course covers the behavior and classification of marine invertebrates. Topics include identification, feeding behavior, reproduction, and symbiotic relationships of marine invertebrates. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and classify marine invertebrates and demonstrate an understanding of their basic anatomy and physiology.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 3, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 4.
• Prerequisite: None.

This course covers the practical analysis of water samples with an emphasis on marine-oriented techniques and procedures. Topics include basic laboratory skills, microbiology techniques, and the use of wet chemistry and instruments to quantify chemically and biologically important parameters. Upon completion, students should be able to culture microbes, and measure pH, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients in natural water samples.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: None.

This course covers the skills necessary to live and work safely aboard oceangoing research vessels. Emphasis is placed on conducting standard hydrographic stations using various oceanographic samplers. Upon completion, students should be able to set up and conduct a hydrographic station and collect accurate data using various types of marine instrumentation.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 0, M. Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 1.
• Prerequisite: MSC 114.
• Co-requisite: Full time Marine Technology enrollment or permission of the Department Chair.

This course covers the skills necessary to live and work safely aboard oceangoing research vessels. Emphasis is placed on conducting a broad range of oceanographic survey techniques, including chemical, meteorological, geological, physical, and biological surveys. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in the skills required of a marine technician aboard an oceanographic or survey vessel.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 0, M. Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 1.
• Prerequisite: MSC 216.
• Corequisite: Full time Marine Technology enrollment or permission of the Department Chair.

This course introduces students to the software and data components of a Geographic Information System. Topics include data collection, management, and analysis, and the creation of marine-based GIS maps. Upon completion, students should be able to use GIS software in marine applications.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 2, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 3.
• Prerequisite: CIS 111 .

This course introduces standard oceanographic procedures used to process and analyze oceanographic data. Emphasis is placed on the use of standard recording procedures and computer applications for processing and analyzing oceanographic data. Upon completion, students should be able to record and analyze oceanographic data using standard procedures along with computer-based applications.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 1, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 2.
• Prerequisite: CIS 111 and MSC 152.

This course covers basic surveying and cartography techniques as they apply to marine research. Topics include topographic map and bathymetric chart basics, including symbols, contours, elevations, coordinate systems, and basic survey instruments, modeling, and field projects. Upon completion, students should be able to use topographic and bathymetric maps as a research tool and set up and conduct field surveys.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 1, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 2.
• Prerequisite: None.

This course provides practical experience with a variety of visual presentation methods for scientific and generalized information presentation. Emphasis is placed on statistical data representation and effective presentations, including the use of overheads, computers, handouts, and other visual presentation methods. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and present a color slide show, a computerized presentation, and a scientific paper with a variety of graphics.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 0, Lab 3.
• Semester Hours Credit: 1.
• Prerequisite: CIS 111 and MSC 154.

This course covers the behavior and classification of marine fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Topics include identification, feeding behavior, reproduction, migration, and other marine vertebrate characteristics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify marine vertebrates and demonstrate an understanding of the methods marine vertebrates use to survive in the ocean.

• Course Hours Per Week: Class 3, Lab 2.
• Semester Hours Credit: 4.
• Prerequisite: None.