Marine Science and Limnology
MSL 111X 4 Credits
The Oceans (n)
Study of the oceans from the broad perspective offered by combining
insights from biology, physics, chemistry and geology. Topics include
the evolution of the oceans and marine life, forces acting on water
and the resulting currents and waves, and relationships between the
physics and chemistry of water bodies and their biological productivity.
Societal questions related to fisheries management, global climate
change and pollution will be discussed. (3 + 3) Offered Juneau
Alternate Fall Offered Fairbanks Fall, Spring
MSL 411 3 Credits
Current Topics in Oceanographic Research
Study of research problems from biology, chemistry, geology and
physics. Topics include sea floor hydrothermal vents and their indigenous
communities, manganese nodules, tsunami prediction, radioisotopes in
the sea, Bering Sea productivity, and the role of the ocean in global
warming due to fossil fuel carbon dioxide. (Prerequisites: Four semesters
of natural sciences at 100-level or above or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Juneau As Demand Warrants; Offered Fairbanks
Alternate Fall
MSL 420 2 Credits
Scientific Diving
Introduction to SCUBA diving techniques used by the research community.
Includes familiarization with Alaska subtidal flora and fauna. Opportunity
to work under water and assist with diving projects conducted by advanced
diving students at the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab. Course certifies a
Research Diver Specialty (PADI), CPR and first aid (Red Cross) and
Emergency Oxygen Administration (DAN). Completion of this course allows
students to be eligible to join the UAF (AAUS) dive program and to
dive on UAF sanctioned diving projects, and have reciprocity to dive
with other university and government agencies. Materials fee: $425.00.
(Prerequisite: SCUBA open-water certification; and basic biology or
ecology courses. Special condition: Must have current SCUBA physical
approved. Graded Pass/Fail.) (1 + 1 + 8) Offered
Spring
MSL 421 2 Credits
Advanced Scientific Diving
Propose a hypothesis and experimentally test it during a one-week
field trip to the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab. Develop a proposal, dive
plan and materials list, and present findings. Materials fee: $175.00.
(Prerequisite: SCUBA open-water certification; MSL 420; and basic biology
or ecology courses. Special condition: Must have current SCUBA physical
approved. Graded Pass/Fail.) (1 + 1 + 8) Offered
Spring
MSL 435 3 Credits
Acoustical Oceanography
Principles and applications of underwater sound in solving oceanographic
problems related to chemistry, physics, geology and biology, including
hydroacoustical methods, acoustical phenomena, bioacoustics and fisheries
acoustics, environmental noise and signal processing. (Prerequisites:
College physics and calculus. Next offered: 2005-06.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Fall
MSL 450 4 Credits
Marine Biology and Ecology Field Course
(Stacked with MSL 651)
Advanced understanding of marine organisms in an ecological and evolutionary
context through field and laboratory work at the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab. Includes
collection of marine macroalgae, invertebrates and plankton and relating their
anatomical organization to habitat, lifestyle and ecology. Emphasis on familiarization
with Alaska’s nearshore flora and fauna, the ecological function of organisms
and ecosystem dynamics. Includes employing different field sampling techniques
and experimental designs in various habitats found around the Kasitsna Bay
Marine Lab, e.g. rocky intertidal, open water, mudflats, seagrass beds and
salt marshes. (Prerequisites: One year of biology and permission of instructor.
Basic courses in ecology and invertebrate zoology recommended. Next offered:
Summer 2003.) (3 + 6) Offered Alternate Summer, As Demand Warrants
MSL 456 4 Credits
Kelp Forest Ecology
(Stacked with MSL 656)
Introduction to knowledge, hypotheses and disputes regarding components of
nearshore tidal communities and the ecological interactions that influence
their structure and dynamics. Includes primary published literature in marine
subtidal ecology, and local Alaska subtidal flora and fauna. Work underwater
doing ecological research. Includes formulating questions, collecting and analyzing
ecological data, report writing and feedback. Course fee: $450.00. (Prerequisites:
UAF Science Diver certification.) Offered Alternate Summer, As Demand Warrants
MSL 460 1–3 Credits
Marine Studies for Science Teachers
Field studies in oceanography and marine biology emphasizing a
hands-on approach to scientific observation, data collection and analysis.
Small boat and beach excursions. Students may enroll for one, two,
or three weeks at 1 credit per week. Two additional credits may be
earned by students concurrently enrolled in MSL 498 and completing
their own investigative research project. Course offered at the Kasitsna
Bay Laboratory. (Prerequisites: B.S. or B.A. degree and college-level
science background or permission of instructor(s). Next offered: Summer
2003.) Offered Alternate Summer, As Demand Warrants
MSL 467 3 Credits
Introduction to Marine Macroalgae (n)
(Stacked with MSL 667)
Introduction to marine macroalgae. Includes algal structure, function and ecology,
basic knowledge of the major phyla, key and press algae, and local Alaska flora.
Includes 4-5 day field trip to UAF’s Kasitsna Bay Marine Laboratory.
Materials fee: $50.00. (Prerequisite: Upper division standing in a natural
science.) (2 + 3) Offered As Demand Warrants
MSL 610 3 Credits
Marine Biology
A study of the biology of the major plant and animal groups in
the sea and their roles in pelagic and benthic systems. Physical, chemical
and geological features affecting marine organisms. The role of bacteria
in the sea. The basic biology and adaptations of selected species of
zooplankton and nekton. The benthos—shore biota, shelf and deep-sea
organisms: basic biology, trophic roles and adaptations of selected
species. (Prerequisites: Degree in biology or permission of instructor.
Highly recommended: courses in invertebrate zoology, ichthyology, vertebrate
zoology.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
MSL 611 5 Credits
Field Problems in Marine Biology
Study of pelagic and benthic ecosystems emphasizing distribution,
abundance and ecology of dominant species. Students will also complete
a research project of their own choosing. Five-week course offered
at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing or
permission of instructor; invertebrate zoology or equivalent.) (0 + arranged)
Offered Alternate Summer, As Demand Warrants
MSL 615 3 Credits
Physiology of Marine Organisms
A study of the physiological systems of and adaptation to the marine
environment, intertidal, pelagic and deep benthos environment and energy
flows will be discussed. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission
of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
MSL 617 3 Credits
Marine Mammal Management
Examination of a practical current issues related to marine mammals
in Alaska and throughout the world. Review of the legal agreements
affecting marine mammals such as the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection
Act, the Endangered species Act, the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species, the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation
Act, and the history and actions of such groups as the International
Waling Commission. Includes discussion of current mammal management
policies in the U.S. and throughout the world. Other issues explored
in relation to marine mammals: contaminants, habitat, interactions
with fisheries and subsistence hunting. (Recommended: Courses in genetics,
populations dynamics, and general ecology.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
MSL 619 3 Credits
Biology of Marine Mammals
This course is intended to provide a graduate-level introduction
to a broad range of research and conservation topics associated with
marine mammals. Topics include physiological adaptations, phylogeny
and evolution, behavior, ecology, population dynamics and conservation.
(Prerequisites: Graduate standing; or upper division ecology and biology
courses.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
MSL 620 4 Credits
Physical Oceanography
Physical description of the sea, physical properties of sea water,
methods and measurements, boundary processes, currents, tides and waves,
and regional oceanography. (Prerequisite: Math 202X, PHYS 103X or PHYS
211X, science or engineering degree, or permission of instructor.)
(3 + 3) Offered Fall
MSL 621 3 Credits
Polar Marine Science
Physical, biological, chemical and geological oceanography of the
polar oceans with emphasis on comparing and contrasting the Arctic
and Antarctic. (Prerequisites: MSL 620, 630, 650, 660, or concurrent
enrollment, or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Fall
MSL 625 3 Credits
Shipboard Techniques
A comprehensive introduction to modern oceanographic shipboard
sampling and analysis techniques. (2 + 3) Offered Spring
MSL 629 4 Credits
Methods of Numerical Simulation in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Fundamentals of computer simulation, including time and spatial
differencing and stability theory applied to partial differential equations
describing dynamical processes in the ocean and atmosphere. Numerical
approximation schemes for the geophysical fluid dynamics will be analyzed
through equations of motion, continuity and transport. Special consideration
given to the description of the frictional processes in the turbulent
flow and transport/diffusion phenomena. Includes laboratory practice.
(Prerequisites: MATH 310, 421, 422 or equivalent; baccalaureate degree
in physics, engineering, mathematics or equivalent; experience with
FORTRAN.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate Fall
MSL 630 3 Credits
Geological Oceanography
Topography and structure of the ocean floor. Theory of plate tectonics.
Geology of ocean basins, continental slope, shelf and coastal environments.
Major sediment types and distributions. Sediment transport and deposition.
Paleoceanography. (Prerequisite: Introductory college geology or permission
of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
MSL 640 3 Credits
Fisheries Oceanography
Oceanography of marine processes affecting commercially important
fisheries (finfish and shellfish). Interactions between fisheries resources
and physical, biological, geological and chemical oceanography, as
well as climatological, and meteorological conditions. Topics include
recruitment, transport, natural mortality, predator-prey relationships,
competition, distribution and abundance. Emphasis is on early life
history of fishes. Applications to world’s commercial fisheries
are cited. (Prerequisite: MSL 620 and 650 or permission of instructor;
recommended FISH 400,O/2.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
MSL 650 3 Credits
Biological Oceanography
A survey of biological processes emphasizing organic matter synthesis
and transfer including topics essential to a basic understanding of
contemporary biological oceanography. Primary and secondary production,
standing stocks, distribution, and structure and dynamics of phytoplankton
and zooplankton populations. The transfer of organic matter to higher
trophic levels, food webs, nutrient cycling, especially but not exclusively
nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon, microbiological process relevant
to nutrient cycling, and heterotrophic production, benthic communities
coastal ecosystems, the influence of organisms on the composition of
seawater, particularly with reference to oxygen and carbon dioxide
regimes. Aspects of regional oceanography. (Prerequisites: Upper division
standing in a science major.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
MSL 651 4 Credits
Marine Biology and Ecology Field Course
(Stacked with MSL 450)
Advanced understanding of marine organisms in an ecological and evolutionary
context through field and laboratory work at the Kasitsna Bay Marine Lab. Includes
collection of marine macroalgae, invertebrates and plankton and relating their
anatomical organization to habitat, lifestyle and ecology. Emphasis on familiarization
with Alaska’s nearshore flora and fauna, the ecological function of organisms
and ecosystem dynamics. Includes employing different field sampling techniques
and experimental designs in various habitats found around the Kasitsna Bay
Marine Lab, e.g. rocky intertidal, open water, mudflats, seagrass beds and
salt marshes. Graduate students perform a research project related to course
subject matter. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing, one year of biology and
permission of instructor. Basic courses in ecology and invertebrate zoology
recommended. Next offered: Summer 2003.) (3 + 6) Offered Alternate
Summer, As Demand Warrants
MSL 652 3 Credits
Marine Ecosystems
Understanding ecosystems of the sea in the context of evaluating
the impact of human activities. The course focuses on current concepts,
trends and perspectives rather than being a survey. (Prerequisites:
BIOL 472W, MSL 650, and MSL 620 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Spring
MSL 653-J 3 Credits
Zooplankton Ecology
(Cross-listed with FISH 653-J)
Survey of marine zooplankton including processes and variables which influence
their production and dynamics. Emphasis on the northeast Pacific ocean zooplankton
community. Field and lab methods for sampling include fixing, preserving, subsampling,
identifying and quantifying zooplankton collections. Laboratory techniques
for culture of zooplankton include physiological measurements of bioenergetic
parameters. (Prerequisites: invertebrate zoology course, MSL 610, or permission
of instructor. Next offered: 2005-06.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Spring
MSL 654-J 3 Credits
Benthic Ecology
(Cross-listed with FISH 654-J)
Ecology of marine benthos, from subtidal to hadal zone. Methods of collecting,
sorting, narcotizing, preserving and analyzing bethnic assemblages, including
video analytical techniques from submersibles and ROV’s. Hydrothermal
vent and cold seep assemblages. Physiology/energetics of benthic organisms,
including animal-sediment relationships, feeding, reproduction and growth.
Depth, spatial and latitudinal distribution patterns. (Prerequisites: Invertebrate
zoology course, marine biology course, or permission of instructor. Next offered:
2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
MSL 655 2 Credits
Phytoplankton Ecology From Form to Function
Introduces the diversity and functioning of aquatic (marine and
limnic) phytoplankton taxa in a wide sense. Topics include various
adaptions to the environment (life cycles, physiology). Four lab sessions
(1 hour lecture and 2 hours lab) will intensify the understanding of
the topics, providing hands-on experience in analyzing phytoplankton
samples on algal diversity and activity using modern techniques (fluorescence
microscopy, flow cytometry and PAM fluorometry. (Prerequisites: MSL
650; and/or graduate courses in algal ecology and aquatic ecosystems.)
Offered Alternate Spring
MSL 656 4 Credits
Kelp Forest Ecology
(Stacked with MSL 456)
Introduction to knowledge, hypotheses and disputes regarding components of
nearshore tidal communities and the ecological interactions that influence
their structure and dynamics. Includes primary published literature in marine
subtidal ecology, and local Alaska subtidal flora and fauna. Work underwater
doing ecological research. Includes formulating questions, collecting and analyzing
ecological data, report writing and feedback. Course fee: $450.00. (Prerequisites:
UAF Science Diver certification.) Offered Alternate Summer, As Demand Warrants
MSL 660 3 Credits
Chemical Oceanography
(Cross-listed with CHEM 660)
An integrated study of the chemical, biological and physical processes that
determine the distribution of chemical variables in the sea. The distribution
of stable and radioisotopes are used to follow complex chemical cycles, with
particular emphasis on the cycles of nutrient elements. The chemistry of carbon
is considered in detail. The implications of the recently explored mid-ocean
ridge vent system to ocean chemistry are examined. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
MSL 661 3 Credits
Stable Isotope Techniques in Environmental Research
An examination of the use of added or naturally occurring isotope
tracers in ecological studies. Demonstration of equipment and modern
techniques. (Prerequisite: MSL 660 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Spring
MSL 667 3 Credits
Introduction to Marine Macroalgae
(Stacked with MSL 467)
Introduction to marine macroalgae. Includes algal structure, function and ecology,
basic knowledge of the major phyla, key and press algae, and local Alaska flora.
Includes 4-5 day field trip to UAF’s Kasitsna Bay Marine Laboratory.
Materials fee: $50.00. (Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.) (2 + 3)
Offered As Demand Warrants
MSL 670 2 Credits
Nutrient Dynamics
The dynamics of nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon cycles of the
world oceans and the specific processes which transfer nutrients between
ecosystems compartments will be studied. Analytical techniques employed
in measurement of nutrient transfer rates will also be studied. (Prerequisites:
MSL 660 or 650 or permission of instructor.) (2 + 0) Offered
Alternate Fall
MSL 673 3 Credits
Microbial Biochemistry and Bioenergetics
(Cross-listed with CHEM 673)
Course seeks to develop a working knowledge of energy transduction in biological
systems. Particular emphasis will be on the molecular mechanisms involved in
the generation of transmembrane potentials and solute flux and how microorganisms
use these processes to control their environment. (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
MSL 680 3 Credits
Physical-Chemical Limnology
(Cross-listed with BIOL 682)
A comprehensive course in physical and chemical limnology covering the basic
processes and cycles in freshwater systems, including a consideration of arctic
and subarctic lakes. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing, calculus, quantitative
analysis or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Fall