Undergraduate-Graduate Course Outline Catalog

I  Brief Description of the Course

A field oriented lower division under graduate course covering the principle disciplines in the marine sciences. The course is designed to help the student evaluate his interest in the marine science world.

II  General Aim of the Course

The general objectives of the course are to provide a firsthand introduction to the marine sciences and opportunities for the student to evaluate his own interests in the applications of the principle disciplines in the marine sciences.

III  Specific Objectives of the Course

More specifically, during the course a student will learn the characteristics of oceans, shorelines, estuaries, and marshes and be able to distinguish one from another. The student will acquire a basic knowledge of forces acting on and within marine environments. Through laboratory and field studies of different local areas, course participants will develop simple skills in biological, chemical, physical, and geological sampling and testing procedures used to measure and detect changes in the various marine environmental parameters.

IV  Content and Scope of the Course

Outline of the Course: (Major topic headings only – detailed outline attached)

1. Man and the Sea
2. Genesis
3. Marine science
4. Instruments and techniques
5. Chemical oceanography
6. Biological oceanography
7. Physical oceanography
8. Marine geology
9. Oceanic resources
10. The future of oceanography

V  Procedures, Techniques and Methods

The course will be open to all undergraduates and assumes little or no collegiate background in the basic sciences. For this reason a textbook will be selected. The text will be supplemented by readings selected by the instructor and others as dictated by the student’s interest and motivation.
Lecture-discussions will be used to introduce theoretical, historical and purely descriptive materials. When possible topics considered in lectures will be demonstrated and explored in field studies of selected local areas. Field and laboratory sessions will be used to teach sampling and analytical techniques.

VI  Instructional Materials

Field collecting equipment, laboratory equipment and supplies, reference collection, library and audio-visual supplies, boats and vehicles.

VII  Basic requirements for the Completion of the Course
           
Students will be required to participate in all field exercises and laboratory sessions as well as attend lectures.

Student progress will be evaluated by:

1. Short quizzes
2. mid-term examination
3. Reports of field and lab exercises
4. final examination

I  Brief Description of the Course

A field and laboratory oriented undergraduate course covering the biology and characteristics of marine plants and animals. The course is designed to provide the student with instruction and experience in collecting and identifying examples of local marine flora and fauna.

II  General Aim of the Course

To expose the student to the diversity of marine life with particular emphasis on the important marine animals and plants of New Jersey.

III  Specific Objectives of the Course

1. To acquaint the student with the characteristics used to identify and classify marine plants and animals.
2. To develop basic skills in using keys to identify marine plants and animals.
3. To provide supervised experience in collecting, preserving and identifying local marine plants and animals.

IV  Content and Scope of the Course

1. Plant Taxonomy
   1. Introduction
   2. Taxonomic categories and nomenclature
   3. Criteria for the classification of plants
   4. Marine plants: Characteristics and biology
      1. Thallophyta, characteristics and habitat
         1. Algae
            1. Cyanophyta
            2. Chlorophyta
            3. Chrysophyta
            4. Pyrrhophyta
            5. Phaephyta
            6. Rhodophyta
         2. Fungi and marine bacteria
      2. Embryophyta, marine angiosperms, characteristics and habitat
         1. Zostera marina
         2. Tidal marsh flora
         3. Beach flora
   5. Phytoplankton
      1. Classification
         1. Size
         2. Habitat
2. Animal Taxonomy
   1. Introduction
   2. Taxonomic categories and nomenclature
   3. Criteria for the classification of animals
   4. Marine animals: biology and characteristics
   1. Protozoa
   2. Porifera
   3. Coelenterata
   4. Platyhelminthes
   5. Aschelminthes
   6. Ectoprocta
   7. Chaetognatha
   8. Annelida
   9. Mollusca
   10. Echinodermata
   11. Chordata
   5. Distribution of marine animals
      1. Classification of marine environments
      2. Physical and chemical factors affecting distribution
   6. Zooplankton
      1. Classification
         1. Size
         2. Habitat
3. Laboratory Topics  (these are not listed in order)
   1. Use of keys
   2. Collection equipment and methods
   3. Preservation techniques
   4. Laboratory instruments and techniques used in identifying marine plants and animals

V  Procedures, Techniques and Methods

A field, laboratory and lecture course. The course will be open to all undergraduates and assumes that the student has a general knowledge of biology. The nature of the course requires that the students have a set of keys selected by the instructor and a specific text or texts if the instructor desires. The Consortium library will have to supplement the students’ keys with others of a more specialized nature.
Lecture-discussion will be used to present the characteristics of marine plants and animals that are useful in distinguishing them from one another, and which may also affect their distribution in the marine environment. It is estimated that plants will be allotted about 1/3 of the course time, the balance being devoted to animals.

Field and laboratory studies will be used to obtain and identify a variety of specimens from different habitats. Keys and reference collections will be available to assist the students in learning characteristics and making identifications. The student should expect to spend a full day and possibly the evening in the classroom and laboratory.

VI  Instructional Materials

Laboratory and field equipment, identification keys, library resources, audio-visual equipment, boats and vehicles.

VII  Basic Requirements for the Completion of the Course

Students will be required to participate in all field trips and laboratory sessions, as well as to attend lectures.

Student progress will be evaluated by:

1. Short lecture and lab quizzes,
2. Written examinations,
3. Class and laboratory participation,
4. Laboratory practical examinations.

I  Brief Description of the Course

Individual research projects at the undergraduate or graduate level selected under the guidance of a professor. Open only to advanced students who have indicated a potential for original thinking. Examples of subject matter: marine biology, oceanography, paleobiology, coastal geology, etc.
Prerequisite: Courses in any of the marine sciences and permission of the Instructor. Graduate standing is required for 500 level independent study.

II  General Aim of the Course

To enable the student to perform independent work in the marine sciences in a particular area of his interest.

III  Specific Objectives of the Course

To encourage independent study by students. To enable the student to study in-depth a particular aspect of the marine sciences in which he/she is interested. To give the student greater exposure to the methods, techniques and instruments of the marine sciences.

IV  Content and Scope of the Course

The study of an aspect of the marine sciences, to be chosen by the student.

V  Procedures, Techniques and Methods

Individual studies will be examined through fieldwork, laboratory investigation and library research.

VI  Instructional Materials

Field instruments, laboratory equipment, biologic and/or geologic specimens, maps and library resources as required.

VII  Basic Requirements for Completion of the Course

Assigned readings, field work and laboratory investigation in the respective area of interest. Required written progress and final reports; final reports must be written in an acceptable format.

This course will cover all the theory and practical skills of both skin and SCUBA diving. Two days of open water training will follow the first five days of lecture and pool work. Students successfully completing this course will receive certification as qualified divers (NAUI/PADI). Required lecture work will be done both during the day and evening hours. Medical approvals will be required. Fee includes the use of all necessary equipment.
Prerequisite: Demonstrated swimming ability. A parent or guardian must accompany participants between the ages of 12 and 15 years of age.