Marine Science Graduate Courses

University Course Schedules

Marine Science Core Courses*

MNS 481C. Marine Ecosystem Dynamics. Interactions between organisms and the physical processes that regulate productivity and distribution of marine life in oceanic and coastal ecosystems. Four lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and either consent of instructor or the following: six semester hours of coursework in biological sciences chosen from Biology 311C, 311D, and the equivalent; and Chemistry 301 and 302, or the equivalent.

MNS 482C. Marine Biogeochemistry. Study of chemical, biological, geological, and physical processes that influence cycling of bioactive elements in marine waters and sediments. Four lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and either consent of instructor or the following: Physical Science 303 and 304, or the equivalent; Chemistry 301, 302, 310M (or 610A), and 310N (or 610B), or the equivalent; and six semester hours of coursework in biological sciences chosen from Biology 311C, 311D, and the equivalent.

MNS 483C. Adaptations to the Marine Environment. The physiological basis for organismal and population-level responses to marine environments. Four lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing; and either consent of instructor or the following: six semester hours of coursework in biological sciences chosen from Biology 311C, 311D, and the equivalent; and Chemistry 301 and 302, or the equivalent.

*The Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Marine Science will periodically add or delete core courses from this list depending upon program needs. In addition, the Committee may tailor a student's core curriculum by substitution of other Marine Science courses for one or more of those listed if the listed courses are unavailable to the student for reasons beyond his/her control.

Advanced Courses

Additional graduate courses that will be offered in the Department of Marine Science:

MNS 383. Topics in Marine Science. Two lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit w hen the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

  • Topic 11: Global Change. Study of natural and anthropogenically mediated changes in the earth's climate and biogeochemical cycles.

  • Topic 12: Larval Fish Ecology. The ecology of marine fish larvae in relation to fisheries oceanography and aquaculture. Additional prerequisite: Ability to use the World Wide Web and knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

  • Topic 14: Marine Isotope Geochemistry. The use of isotopes (stable, radiogenic, uranium series, and anthropogenic) in the study of marine science.

  • Topic 17:  Coastal Watersheds.  This course fosters an integrated understanding of the science, law, and policy related to issues such as land use, water use, and climate change in coupled watershed-coastal ocean systems. The course is interdisciplinary and listed in both the Law School and the Department of Marine Science. There are three major course components: (1) topical lectures, (2) literature discussions, and (3) case studies. The literature discussions allow us to delve into specific topics in detail, whereas the case studies foster a system-level understanding of select sites around the country. Students work on the case studies in small, interdisciplinary groups. The case studies will be selected from distinct regions of the U.S. subject to different climate regimes, land/water use patterns, and oceanographic conditions. Factors influencing the quantity and quality of water exported from land and oceanographic characteristics that mediate the response of coastal ecosystems to changes in watershed export are emphasized. Law, management, planning, and policy initiatives related to issues of water quality, water quantity, and sustainability of coupled watershed-coastal ocean systems are also emphasized. Groups give a formal presentation on their case study findings near the end of the semester. Students also write independent papers or proposals focusing on specific research, mitigation, education efforts, or legal or regulatory changes needed to improve understanding and management of their case study systems. The last week of class focuses on cross-site comparisons and discussion of idealized management scenarios that draw from the most effective aspects of individual case studies. Classes are offered over a video link so that students at the Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas as well as Austin can participate.

MNS 384J. Marine Ecology. Principles of competition and of predator-prey, herbivore-plant, and reproductive interactions within diverse marine phyla. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, a basic course in biological science, and consent of instructor.

MNS 384U. Reproductive Physiology of Fishes. Endocrine and environmental control of reproductive cycles in teleost fishes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, a beginning course in physiology, and consent of instructor.

MNS 387. Planktonic Processes. Advanced study of processes that affect the distribution and abundance of marine planktonic organisms, primary and secondary production in marine planktonic environments, and trophic interactions between planktonic species. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

MNS 191. Seminar in Marine Science. Recent advances in the marine sciences, discussed by students, faculty and staff members, and guest lecturers. Topics to be announced. One lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.