Aquatic and Coastal Sciences (M.S.) - Graduate (Combined B.S./M.S.) - 2009 University Catalog
You are viewing the 2009 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.
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 (Comb BsMs)
Complete 30 semester hours - 31 semester hours including the following 4 requirement(s):
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Core Graduate Requirements
Complete to earn 13 semester hours
AQUA 515 Graduate Research Seminar 1 AQUA 551 Advanced Aquatic Biological Processes 3 BIOL 570 Ecology 3 ENVR 551 Natural Resource Management 3 GEOS 575 Geochemistry 3 -
Graduate Electives
Complete 2 courses from the following list, BIOL 505 to earn 7 semester hours-8 semester hours
BIOL 521 Field Studies of Flowering Plants 4 BIOL 553 Microbial Ecology 4 BIOL 572 Wetland Ecology 4 BIOL 573 Shoreline Ecology 4 GEOS 509 Water Resource Management 3 GEOS 525 Environmental Geoscience 3 GEOS 560 Advanced Marine Geology 3 PHMS 565 Tidal Marsh Ecology 4 PHMS 581 Coastal Geomorphology 4 -
Culminating Activity
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Graduate Research
Complete to earn 4 semester hours
AQUA 599 Graduate Research in Aquatic and Coastal Sciences 4 -
Graduate Thesis
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To complete the Thesis and earn 6 semester hours, register for
AQUA 698 Master's Thesis 6 -
Submit the completed Thesis Original and one copy to the Graduate School Office. See Thesis Guidelines for details.
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COMBINED PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
In order to graduate, the combined portion of the program must be completed. Contact the Departmental Advisor.
Course Descriptions:
AQUA515: Graduate Research 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, GEOS 252, GEOS 454.
AQUA551: Advanced Aquatic Biological Processes
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, GEOS 252, GEOS 454 or approval of the Program Director.
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.
BIOL521: Field Studies of Flowering Plants
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
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
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
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
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.
ENVR551: Natural Resource Management
Provide background in natural resource management; wildlife, fisheries, forests, water and related components. Includes field trips. 3 sh.
GEOS509: Water Resource Management
The spatial patterns of the water resource both as surface water and ground-water. Processes affecting availability and techniques of estimation are stressed. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: For majors in the College of Science and Mathematics.
GEOS525: Environmental Geoscience
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. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: For majors in the College of Science and Mathematics.
GEOS560: Advanced Marine Geology
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. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: For majors in the College of Science and Mathematics.
GEOS575: Geochemistry
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. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: For majors in the College of Science and Mathematics.
PHMS565: Tidal Marsh Ecology
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.
PHMS581: Coastal Geomorphology
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. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: Departmental approval.
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