Marine Science: MNS

Lower-Division Courses

MNS X01. Seminar in Marine Science.

Overview of the depth and breadth of marine and freshwater science. Introduction to research opportunities at the university.

MNS X07. Introduction to Oceanography.

Introduction to the sciences of oceanography: geological, physical, and biological.

MNS X08. Humans and a Changing Ocean.

The consequences of human-induced alteration of the marine environment including the impact on fisheries, marine mammals, food-web changes, and changes in species composition and ecological function will be explored. Designed for non-science majors.

MNS X09. Topics in Marine Science.

Selected topics in marine science, including marine biology, marine chemistry, and physical oceanography.

MNS X10. Fundamentals of Marine Science.

Designed for students pursuing a degree option in Marine and Freshwater Science. In-depth introduction to physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes in marine systems.

MNS X19S. Topics in Marine Science.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Department of Marine Science. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program.

MNS X80. Research in Marine Science.

MNS X88. Marine Research Training Cruise.

Shipboard training in marine research through participation in research projects and completion of report.

Upper-Division Courses

MNS X20. Marine Ecology.

Study of ecological processes at different levels of integration in marine ecosystems.

MNS X20L. Laboratory Studies in Marine Ecology.

A laboratory course with two weekend field trips to the Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas to perform ecological studies in the Texas coastal zone.

MNS X29S. Topics in Marine Science.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Department of Marine Science. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program.

MNS X40. Limnology and Oceanography.

An introduction to the study of the interactions between aquatic organisms and their environments.

MNS X44K. Marine Mining and Minerals.

Overview of seafloor mineral deposits, their exploration, and mining.

MNS X48. Topics in Training Cruise(s).

MNS X48.1. Training Cruise(s): Research in Biological Oceanography.

One or more cruises of one to several days each to collect physical, chemical, oceanographic, and biological data relevant to biological processes in the sea. Preparatory instruction and post-cruise sample processing and analysis.

MNS X48.2. Marine Geology and Geophysics Field Course.

Hands-on, team-based instruction in the collection and processing of marine geological and geophysical data along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

MNS X52. Topics in Principles of Marine Science.

Lectures, laboratory, and fieldwork.

MNS X52.12. Adaptive Physiology of Marine Organisms.

Selected topics in the comparative physiology of marine organisms and their environmental adaptations.

MNS X52.13. Microclimatology.

Physical and thermal characteristics of the atmospheric surface layer, with particular reference to coastal environments.

MNS X52.16. Ocean Engineering.

Description of ocean waves and tides, methods of wave forecasting, classroom and field exercises.

MNS X52.18. Marine Atmospheric Chemistry.

Atmospheric particle chemistry; sea-surface films, atmospheric organic matter; air-sea chemical fractionation; carbon, nitrogen, sulfur cycles.

MNS X52.20. General Marine Phycology.

Survey of benthic algae and phytoplankton of the Texas coast; systematics, morphology, life history and culturing techniques.

MNS X52.21. Ecology of Marine Fungi.

Biology of the fungi with emphasis on ecological, morphological, and developmental aspects and culturing techniques.

MNS X52.22. Oceanography.

Consideration of current understanding of the chemistry and biology of the oceans.

MNS X52.9. Endocrinology.

Endocrinology, with special reference to lower vertebrates and evolution of control systems.

MNS X52C. Estuarine Ecology.

Explores general ecological principles of estuarine environments in Texas including physiography, hydrography, and plant and animal community structure and productivity.

MNS X52D. Marine Botany.

Exploration of the marine algae and seagrasses of the south Texas coast, with emphasis on their taxonomy, physiology, and ecology; may include field trips to representative coastal habitats.

MNS X52E. Marine Conservation Biology.

Explores how human activities influence the natural functioning and diversity of marine ecosystems and examines conservation efforts aimed to promote the sustainability of coastal habitats; may include several field excursions to local/regional marine ecosystems including sensitive coastal marshes and seagrass communities. Encourages the development of creative and critical thinking skills through numerous classroom activities focused on developing holistic understandings of marine ecosystems and the complexities of conservation science.

MNS X52L. Topics in Principles of Marine Science: Laboratory Studies.

A laboratory course with one-day field trips (which may include weekends) to local estuarine and coastal habitats. Includes pre- and post-field trip laboratory hours.

MNS X52M. Marine Community Ecology.

Explore the assembly and functioning of marine communities. Examine both traditional and newly-emerging techniques to study marine communities, from visual censuses to molecular approaches.

MNS X52R. Marine Science Research and Reporting.

Reviews the planning, conduct, and communication of marine science research, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing and presentation.

MNS X52S. Topics in Principles of Marine Science: Undergraduate Seminar.

Guest lectures by local and visiting research scientists on a variety of topics in marine and environmental science. Each seminar is followed by a separate one-hour discussion to give students an opportunity to meet directly with the scientist.

MNS X52T. Principles of Marine Science: Special Topics.

Advanced research topics in marine science relevant to critical habitats, organisms, or processes.

MNS X53. Topics in Marine Science.

MNS X53.14. Marine Isotope Geochemistry.

The use of isotopes (stable, radiogenic, uranium series, and anthropogenic) in the study of marine science.

MNS X53.15. Interdisciplinary Classroom Field Methods.

Uses the interdisciplinary nature of marine science to focus on inquiry-based instruction, constructivist-oriented teaching strategies, and field explorations.

MNS X53.17. Marine Fish Physiology.

Physiology of major organ systems of marine fishes, with emphasis on adaptations to marine environments. Includes osmoregulation, nutrition, circulation, excretion, reproduction, sensory physiology, and endocrine control.

MNS X53.2. Fish Adaptations to Coastal Ecosystems.

Quantitative ecological comparisons of zoogeographical abundance and distribution with population, metabolic, and growth parameters.

MNS X53.4. Current Research.

Research instruction/participation in marine science. Laboratory and field activity with emphasis on faculty contact.

MNS X53.5. Seafloor Mining.

Study of seafloor mineral resources, including problems and policies related to exploration, mining, environmental concerns, assessment, and industrial development.

MNS X53.6. Marine Ecology.

Independent study in marine ecology, literature research, and comprehensive writing. Report required.

MNS X53.7. Marine Sedimentology.

Selected topics and problems concerning the depositional processes, controls, and distribution of marine sediments.

MNS X53.8. Marine Chemistry.

Study of the processes controlling the chemistry of natural waters, the oceans as a chemical system, and the impact of human activities on these systems.

MNS X54. Marine Invertebrates.

Study of invertebrate taxonomy, structure, behavior, and ecology; may include field sampling and laboratory studies of invertebrate habitats of the Texas coast.

MNS X54C. Biology of Fishes.

Anatomy, physiology, behavior, life history, taxonomy, and distribution of fishes; may include field sampling and laboratory studies of the coastal biota.

MNS X54E. Aquatic Microbiology.

Ecology, physiology, distribution, and growth of heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria and fungi in waters and sediments.

MNS X54F. Marine Geology.

Survey of the origin, structure, stratigraphy, and sedimentology of marine basins and continental margins.

MNS X54J. Marine Chemistry.

Introduction to marine and environmental chemistry, including the distribution of elements in seawater, the geochemical and oceanographic processes controlling and affected by these distributions, and the effects of human activities on marine chemical processes.

MNS X54Q. Marine Environmental Science.

Application of the principles of marine science to the study of environmental issues: toxicology, biogeochemical cycles, and the biological and ecological impacts of zenobiotic materials in the coastal zone.

MNS X54T. Biological Oceanography.

Introduction to the organisms in the sea, their adaptations to the environment, and the factors that control their distribution and abundance; may include laboratory and field work with organisms found in the coastal waters of Texas.

MNS X54U. Biology of Sharks, Skates, and Rays.

Ecology, anatomy, and physiology of elasmobranch fishes.

MNS X55. Microplastics in Coastal Environments.

Examine microplastics in coastal environments. Discuss plastics, including composition and production of plastic polymers and additives, as well as environmental processes that affect the fate of plastics in waters, such as biodegradation and photooxidation.

MNS X55C. Physiology of Fishes.

Physiology of major organ systems of both marine and freshwater fishes.

MNS X55E. Marine Fisheries Ecology.

Explore a broad understanding of fish and fisheries science. Examine fundamental information on fish biology and ecology pertaining to diet, growth, and reproduction with fisheries' specific information that includes historical perspectives, methodology, and overall management strategies.

MNS X56. Ecosystem Oceanography.

An exploration of interconnections within and among marine ecosystems, as well as their linkages to climate, human activity, and adjacent freshwater and terrestrial environments. Emphasis will be placed on Gulf of Mexico ecosystems; may include hands-on field and laboratory activities.

MNS X57. Marine Phytoplankton Diversity.

The taxonomy of the major phytoplankton groups, their physiology, and their role in marine ecosystem; may include field and/or laboratory hours.

MNS X58. Marine Geoecology.

Discuss how life has become a primary driver of conditions in the Earth's geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, and explore the biological inventions with the most revolutionary impact on the planet as we know it today. Examine concepts from the fields of geology, chemistry, microbiology, and macroecology.

MNS X67K. Human Exploration and Exploitation of the Sea.

Review of the history of ocean exploration including major oceanographic expeditions. Discussion of current topics in ocean exploration and exploitation of marine resources, the impact of resource exploitation on biological systems, and the development of marine policy. An oral presentation is required.

MNS X70. Special Studies in Marine Science.

Supervised individual instruction and research in marine science field and laboratory techniques.

MNS X80. Research in Marine Science.

MNS X88. Marine Research Training Cruise.

Shipboard training in marine research through participation in research projects and completion of report.

Graduate Courses

MNS X80. Research in Marine Science.

MNS X81C. Marine Ecosystem Dynamics.

Interactions between organisms and the physical processes that regulate productivity and distribution of marine life in oceanic and coastal ecosystems.

MNS X82. Topics in Principles of Marine Science.

MNS X82.14. Biology of Seagrasses.

Analyses of plant and animal characteristics of seagrass ecosystems, including biomass, reciprocal salinity transplants, productivity.

MNS X82.6. Marine Ichthyology.

Systematics of fishes, including major classifications, comparative anatomy, embryology, and general distribution.

MNS X82.9. Endocrinology.

Endocrinology, with special reference to lower vertebrates and the evolution of control systems.

MNS X82C. Marine Biogeochemistry.

Study of chemical, biological, geological, and physical processes that influence cycling of bioactive elements in marine waters and sediments.

MNS X83C. Adaptations to the Marine Environment.

The physiological basis for organismal and population-level responses to marine environments.

MNS X84C. Benthic Ecology.

Interactions among organisms, sediments, and physical processes of estuarine and oceanic bottoms.

MNS X84E. Marine Microbial Ecology.

Metabolism of photosynthetic and chemosynthetic microorganisms in the sea.

MNS X84F. Marine Geology.

Development of ocean basins; marine and coastal depositional environments, processes, and sedimentary parameters; marine field techniques.

MNS X84J. Marine Ecology.

MNS X84K. Ecology of Fishes.

Organismal, population, and community ecology of marine and freshwater fishes.

MNS X84L. Marine Chemistry.

Chemical processes in the sea.

MNS X84T. Biological Oceanographic Processes.

An advanced course in biological processes in oceanic and coastal waters, with emphasis on empirical and theoretical concepts of marine ecosystem dynamics, primary and secondary production, and detrital cycling.

MNS X84U. Reproductive Physiology of Fishes.

Endocrine and environmental control of reproductive cycles in teleost fishes.

MNS X85E. Marine Macrophytes.

A lecture, laboratory, and field course that examines the systematics, ecology, and productivity of marine macroalgae and seagrasses, strategies and seasonal patterns of growth, photosynthesis, and carbon metabolism in relation to in situ light environments.

MNS X85F. Environmental Modeling.

Introductory course in modeling, with emphasis on the models used in ecology, oceanography, and earth sciences.

MNS X86. Phytoplankton Ecology.

The interactions of physiology, morphology, and behavior of microalgae with physical, chemical, and biological features of the environment as related to the distribution of marine phytoplankton.

MNS X87. Pelagic Ecosystems.

Advanced study of processes affecting the distribution and abundance of marine planktonic and nektonic organisms, primary and secondary production in marine pelagic environments, and food web interactions in the pelagia.

MNS X88. Marine Research Training Cruise.

Shipboard training in marine research through participation in research projects and completion of report.

MNS X91. Topics in Marine Science: Seminar.

Recent advances in the marine sciences, discussed by students, faculty and staff members, and guest lecturers. Topics to be announced.

MNS X93. Topics in Marine Science.

Lecture, laboratory, and fieldwork.

MNS X93.1. Biogeochemistry of Carbon.

Production, distribution, composition, and preservation of organic matter in the sea.

MNS X93.10. Zooplankton Ecology.

Advanced study of the morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations of zooplankton to their environment.

MNS X93.11. Coastal Watersheds.

Covers water use, land use and land cover change, and climate change as they relate to biological, physical, and geochemical processes in watersheds. Includes the impact of changing watershed export on coastal ocean ecosystems. Emphasizes case studies on different regions of the United States.

MNS X93.2. Isotope Ecology.

Consideration of the stable hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope ratio variations in ecological settings, including chemical fundamentals; current literature on food-webs and source studies.

MNS X93.3. Benthic Plants and Animals.

Interactions among organisms, sediments, and physical processes of estuarine systems, including the factors that regulate primary and secondary productivity.

MNS X93.4. Methods in Marine Science.

Introduction through laboratory and field work to the methods of marine science and oceanographic research. Topics include small boat handling and safety; field collection of physical, chemical, and biological data; and laboratory analysis of seawater chemistry and marine organisms.

MNS X93.5. Global Change.

Study of natural and anthropogenically mediated changes in the earth's climate and biogeochemical cycles.

MNS X93.6. Larval Fish Ecology.

The ecology of marine fish larvae in relation to fisheries oceanography and aquaculture.

MNS X93.7. Marine Botany.

Introduction through lectures and field work to the diversity and importance of marine vegetation of the South Texas coast. Includes the evolution, taxonomy, ecology, physiology, and trophic importance of marine vegetation.

MNS X93.8. Marine Isotope Geochemistry.

The use of isotopes (stable, radiogenic, uranium series, and anthropogenic) in the study of marine science.

MNS X93.9. Molecular Methods in Marine Science.

Introduction to the principles and methods of molecular biology and the application of molecular techniques to research in marine science.

MNS X98. Thesis.

MNS X98T. Supervised Teaching in Marine Science.

MNS X99W. Dissertation.

Professional Courses

MNS X80. Research in Marine Science.

MNS X88. Marine Research Training Cruise.

Shipboard training in marine research through participation in research projects and completion of report.