Marine Science and Limnology Courses
MSL 111X (4 Credits) Juneau Alternate Fall
The Oceans (3+3) n Fairbanks Spring
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. Laboratory
fee: $20.00. (Prerequisites: High school biology and algebra. High school
chemistry or physics desirable.)
MSL 411 (3 Credits) Juneau As Demand Warrants
Current Topics in Oceanographic Research (3+0) Fairbanks Alternate Fall
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 the instructor. Next offered Fairbanks: 1996-97.)
MSL 435 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Acoustical Oceanography (3+0)
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: 1997-98.)
MSL 450 (5 Credits) Alternate Summer
Biology and Ecology of Marine Invertebrates (3+9)
(Same as MSL 651)
Advanced understanding of marine invertebrates in an evolutionary and
ecological context. Animals studied according to habitat phylogenetic
relationships. Field and laboratory work at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory on
Kachemak Bay. Students are required to write a research proposal related to
the 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 1998.)
MSL 460 (1-3 Credits) Alternate Summer
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 1997.)
MSL 610 (3 Credits) Spring
Marine Biology (3+0)
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.)
MSL 611 (5 Credits) Alternate Summer
Field Problems in Marine Biology (0+Arr)
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.)
MSL 615 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Physiology of Marine Organisms (3+0)
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.)
MSL 619 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Biology of Marine Mammals (3+0)
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: Concurrent or
previous enrollment in MSL 615 and upper division ecology and statistics
courses.)
MSL 620 (4 Credits) Fall
Physical Oceanography (3+3)
Physical description of the sea, physical properties of sea water, methods
and measurements, boundary processes, currents, tides and waves, and regional
oceanography. (Prerequisite: Math 202, PHYS 103X or PHYS 211X, science or
engineering degree, or permission of instructor.)
MSL 621 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Polar Marine Science (3+0)
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 registration, or
permission of instructor.)
MSL 622 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Satellite Oceanography (3+0)
A broad introduction to both the theory and practice of satellite
oceanography. We will cover the full spectrum of sensors and platforms used in
oceanographic research. Topics will range from first principles of orbital
dynamics and radiative transfer needed for remote sensing to the actual
analysis of satellite imagery using current techniques and algorithms. Students
will have the opportunity to acquire and apply satellite imagery to a problem
of their choice. (Prerequisite: MSL 620 and 650 or upper division or graduate
study in science and consent of instructor.)
MSL 625 (2 Credits) Spring
Shipboard Techniques (1+3)
A comprehensive introduction to modern oceanographic shipboard sampling and
analysis techniques. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of
instructor.)
MSL 629 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Methods of Numerical Simulation in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (3+0)
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.)
MSL 630 (3 Credits) Spring
Geological Oceanography (3+0)
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.)
MSL 640 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Fisheries Oceanography (3+0)
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.)
MSL 650 (3 Credits) Fall
Biological Oceanography (3+0)
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:
Introductory college biology and chemistry.)
MSL 651 (5 Credits) Alternate Summer
Biology and Ecology of Marine Invertebrates (3+9)
(Same as MSL 450)
Advanced understanding of marine invertebrates in an evolutionary and
ecological context. Animals studied according to habitat phylogenetic
relationships. Field and laboratory work at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory on
Kachemak Bay. Students will be required to write a research proposal related to
the course subject matter. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing, one year of
biology and permission of instructor. Basic courses in ecology and invertebrate
zoology recommended.)
MSL. 652 (2 Credits)Alternate Spring
Marine Ecosystems (2+0)
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 472, MSL 650, and
MSL 620 or permission of instructor.)
MSL 660 (3 Credits) Spring
Chemical Oceanography (3+0)
(Same as 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.)
MSL 661 (2 Credits) Alternate Spring
Isotope Techniques for Aquatic Science (2+0)
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.)
MSL 663 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Photosynthesis (3+0)
(Same
as BIOL 663, CHEM 663)
Integrated analysis of photosynthesis. Processes to be addressed include
gene expression, protein transport, membrane biogenesis, pigment synthesis,
electron transport, regulation of enzyme activity, photon absorption and
excitation energy transfer. Current data on environmental control of
photosynthetic processes, from gene expression through photosynthetic
competence, will be analyzed. (Prerequisites: CHEM 451 and MSL 650 or
permission of instructor.)
MSL 664 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Algal Biology: Physiological Ecology (3+0)
(Same as BIOL 664)
Ecology of algae examined from a physiological perspective. Emphasis will
be placed on phytoplankton, the most thoroughly characterized algae. Algal
physiological ecology will be examined both from a classical viewpoint as well
as from a more mechanistic approach utilizing modern techniques.
(Prerequisites: MSL 650, an undergraduate plant physiology course, or
permission of instructor.)
MSL 665 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Microbial Biochemistry (2+3)
Quantitative and mechanistic aspects of the biochemical processes that
microorganisms effect in the aquatic environment. Processes will be formulated
in terms of biochemical structures and specified in terms of equations derived.
Although intended for students of aquatic processes, the level is appropriate
to follow the first semester course in biochemistry. Modern techniques for
analysis of enzyme kinetics will provide the foundation for consideration of
the processes of membrane transport. (Prerequisites: Biochemistry or
equivalent; permission of instructor.)
MSL 670 (2 Credits)Alternate Fall
Nutrient Dynamics (2+0)
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.)
MSL 673 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Microbial Biochemistry and Bioenergetics (3+0)
(Same as 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.
MSL 680 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Physical-Chemical Limnology (3+0)
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.)