Aquatic and Coastal Sciences (M.S.) - Graduate (Combined B.S./M.S.) - 2012 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2012 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

Director: Paul Bologna

Aquatic and Coastal Sciences represent the wide variety of ecosystems that are linked through water. The study of Aquatic and Coastal Sciences encompasses freshwater lakes and streams, estuaries, and coastal marine habitats. These habitats are critical for numerous plants and animals, but they can be compromised by human activities. Students who pursue this major are interested in understanding the relationships among plants, animals and humans and how to protect and restore these valuable ecosystems.

This major is an interdisciplinary program of study emphasizing the four core sciences of biology, geology, chemistry, and physics. This is a combined BS/MS program where students will be engaged in both class work and research, culminating in the development and completion of the Master's Thesis. Students completing this program will be well prepared to enter the work force in research, environmental consulting, education and regulatory agencies (e.g., EPA), as well as in non-profit organizations. Additionally, students will be prepared to undertake further graduate work.

The curriculum was designed for students who have had high school biology, chemistry, and physics, and three years of college preparatory mathematics.

AQUATIC AND COASTAL SCIENCES (BS/MS)

Complete 32 semester hours - 33 semester hours including the following 3 requirement(s). 3 courses for 9 hrs will be transferred from the UG program.

  1. GRADUATE CORE REQUIREMENTS

    Complete 5 courses for 13 semester hours:

    AQUA 515 Graduate Research Seminar (1 hour seminar) 1
    AQUA 551 Advanced Aquatic Biological Processes (3 hours lecture) 3
    BIOL 570 Ecology (3 hours lecture) 3
    EAES 526 Geochemistry (3 hours lecture) 3
    EAES 563 Natural Resource Management (3 hours lecture) 3

  2. GRADUATE ELECTIVES

    Complete 9 semester hours from the following:

    BIOL 505 Experimental Cell Culture (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 3
    BIOL 521 Field Studies of Flowering Plants (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab) 4
    BIOL 553 Microbial Ecology (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) 4
    BIOL 572 Wetland Ecology (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab) 4
    BIOL 573 Shoreline Ecology (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab) 4
    EAES 505 Environmental Geoscience (3 hours lecture) 3
    EAES 533 Water Resource Management (3 hours lecture) 3
    EAES 550 Advanced Marine Geology (3 hours lecture) 3
    EAES 551 Coastal Geomorphology (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 4
    PHMS 565 Tidal Marsh Ecology (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) 4

  3. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

    Complete the following 2 requirement(s) for 10 semester hours:

    1. GRADUATE RESEARCH

      Complete for 4 semester hours.

      AQUA 599 Graduate Research in Aquatic and Coastal Sciences 4

    2. GRADUATE THESIS

      1. Complete for 6 semester hours.

        AQUA 698 Master's Thesis 6

      2. Submit the completed Thesis Original and one copy to the Graduate School Office. See Thesis Guidelines for details.

Course Descriptions:

AQUA515: Graduate Research Seminar (1 hour seminar)

This seminar is a required course for the graduate curriculum in the BS/MS Coastal and Aquatic Sciences program. Students participate in active discussion regarding current research topics in the field and are required to present their current research activities or planned research for their Master's Thesis. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: AQUA 351, AQUA 490, EAES 230, EAES 322.

AQUA551: Advanced Aquatic Biological Processes (3 hours lecture)

Advanced Aquatic Biological Processes is a graduate course which builds upon the fundamental biological systems associated with marine and fresh water communities and serves as the culminating core aquatic biological course for the BS/MS program in Aquatic and Coastal Sciences. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: AQUA 351, EAES 230, EAES 322 or departmental approval.

AQUA599: Graduate Research in Aquatic and Coastal Sciences

A research experience in which students will conduct independent research approved by their graduate advisor leading to the collection of data for the completion of their Master's Thesis. Students will be exposed to current aquatic and coastal techniques by working with scientific investigators in industry or within the department. Students will work on projects involving research techniques, data collection and the analysis and interpretation of the data. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Program Director/Thesis advisor approval.

AQUA698: Master's Thesis

Independent research project done under faculty advisement. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelines, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students should take AQUA 699 if they don't complete AQUA 698 within the semester. 6 sh.

Prerequisites: Program Director/Thesis advisor approval.

BIOL505: Experimental Cell Culture (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)

This graduate course will provide theoretical and practical experience working on living cells. Provides understanding, observation, and hands-on experiences in tissue and organ culture techniques, primary cell culturing, cell differentiation, and techniques in toxicity and mutagenicity assays, plant callus and protopast experimentation. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: BIOL 380, or similar Genetics course with passing grade and a previous Microbiology course or experience.

BIOL521: Field Studies of Flowering Plants (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab)

The taxonomy, evolutionary trends and ecological adaptations of the gymnosperms and angiosperms. A variety of habitats will be visited and analyzed. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Botany and field course in biology.

BIOL553: Microbial Ecology (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab)

Exploration of the essential role of microorganisms in the ecosystem. Lecture, field trips and laboratory will demonstrate the ubiquitous and highly adaptive evolution of microorganisms, their interrelationships and their profound influence on the biosphere. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Microbiology.

BIOL570: Ecology (3 hours lecture)

Basic ecological principles and concepts. Habitat approach to field exercises in fresh water and terrestrial ecology. Intra and interspecific relationships with all living members of the ecosystem, problems in plant and animal biology. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Botany and zoology.

BIOL572: Wetland Ecology (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab)

Important biotic, chemical and physical parameters of New Jersey's estuaries. Evolution and successional trends of estuarine communities. Ecology of individual communities studied by field trips to Delaware Bay shore and to some Atlantic coast bays, marshes and offshore barrier islands. Also offered at the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Botany, and zoology, and field biology.

BIOL573: Shoreline Ecology (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab)

Community structure, trophic dynamics, species diversity and distribution of bottom dwelling organisms in relationship to their environment; lectures, laboratory work and field investigations of the marine benthos. Also offered at NJ Marine Sciences Consortium. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Botany, and zoology, and field biology.

EAES505: Environmental Geoscience (3 hours lecture)

In-depth study of the relationships between man and the physical environment of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Particular attention to problems of mineral resource and fossil-fuel depletion; pollution of air, water and soils and waste disposal and recycling, simple computer modeling of environmental situations. Previous course GEOS 525 effective through Spring 2012. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculation in a CSAM graduate program or departmental approval.

EAES526: Geochemistry (3 hours lecture)

Chemical laws and principles applied to the earth, chemical composition of the earth, distribution and relative abundance of the elements. Radioactive materials, atmospheric precipitation of geochemicals, the geochemistry of polluted water (including solid and liquid wastes) study of meteorites. Required field trips. Previous course GEOS 575 effective through Spring 2012. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculation in a CSAM graduate program or departmental approval.

EAES533: Water Resource Management (3 hours lecture)

The spatial patterns of the water resource both as surface water and ground-water. Processes affecting availability and techniques of estimation are stressed. Previous course GEOS 509 effective through Spring 2012. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculation in a CSAM graduate program or departmental approval.

EAES550: Advanced Marine Geology (3 hours lecture)

Development and evolution of the ocean basins; marine sedimentation; shoreline development and classification; submarine topography; mineral resources of the sea. Laboratory analysis of marine sediments and fossil assemblages. Required field trips. Previous course GEOS 560 effective through Spring 2012. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculation in a EAES graduate program or department approval.

EAES551: Coastal Geomorphology (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)

Coastlines and their evolution; processes and materials of the coastal zone; shore zone hydrodynamics and sedimentation: beach and barrier systems with special emphasis on the New Jersey shoreline. Offered at the site of the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. Cross listed with Earth and Environmental Studies, PHMS 551. Previous course PHMS 581 effective through Spring 2012. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculation in an EAES or MS Biology graduate program and equivalent of EAES 200 or departmental approval.

EAES563: Natural Resource Management (3 hours lecture)

Provide background in natural resource management; wildlife, fisheries, forests, water and related components. Includes field trips. Previous course ENVR 551 effective through Spring 2012. 3 sh.

PHMS565: Tidal Marsh Ecology (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab)

Salt marsh development and physiography: community structure, energetics, and interrelationships. The role of salt marshes in estuarine and marine systems. The impact of man on the marsh. Offered at N.J. Marine Sciences Consortium. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

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