1999-2000 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705

Marine ScienceMarine Science Consortium/Biology Department

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Credit designation below title is expressed in (c) class hours per week, (l) lab or (d) discussion section hours per week, and (sh) semester hours of credit per semester.

MI 211 Field Methods in Oceanography
var-3sh
Prerequisite: MI110 or consent of instructor
Familiarization with dynamic marine environment involving use and application of oceanographic instruments and sampling devices.

MI 212 Navigation
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Prerequisite: Four years' high school math or equivalent or consent of the instructor
Covers navigation, i.e., the art and science of safely bringing a vessel from one position to another in a body of water. Course divided into (1) brief historical background; (2) navigation within sight of land, i.e., piloting; (3) navigation in the open sea, including electronic navigation methods.

MI 221 Marine Invertebrate Zoology
var-3sh
Prerequisite: One year of biology or consent of instructor
Study of marine invertebrates with emphasis on development, reproduction, structure, function, and classification of selected marine organisms.

MI 241 Marine Biology
var-3sh
Prerequisites: Botany and zoology or consent of instructor
Study of plant and animal life in marine environment with emphasis placed upon physical and chemical factors affecting biota.

MI 250 Management of Wetland Wildlife
var-3sh
The ecology and management of wetland wildlife, particularly of freshwater marshes and saltwater marshes. Special emphasis on ecosystem approach.

MI 260 Marine Ecology
var-3sh
Prerequisite: One year of biology or consent of instructor
A course in ecology of marine organisms.

MI 270 Scuba Diving
var-3sh
Prerequisites: Swimming ability and good health. (A standard diving physical form will be mailed to students electing the course.)
Students who complete course will receive a National Association of Underwater Instructors Diver Certificate.

MI 280 Marine Field Biology
var-3sh
Prerequisites: None
An introduction to basic principles of ecology and natural history of selected plants and animals in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. Suitable for non-Science majors.

MI 281 Special Topics
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Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students.

MI 331 Chemical Oceanography
var-3sh
Prerequisites: MI110 and one year of chemistry
Treatment of oceanic chemical phenomena by sampling and laboratory analysis techniques.

MI 342 Marine Botany
var-3sh
In-the-field studies and laboratory analysis by instrumentation of marine and marine fringe plants in the Middle Atlantic Coast as exemplified by those found in the Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and Wallops Island, Virginia, areas.

MI 343 Marine Ichthyology
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Prerequisites: General Biology and/or consent of the instructor
A study of fishes. Specimens collected along Eastern Seaboard by students will be used to illustrate anatomy, physiology, and systematics of this major vertebrate group. Field collections will give student opportunity to observe relationships of these animals to the biotic and physical environment.

MI 344 Anatomy of Marine Chordates
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Prerequisite:Six hours of biology including General Zoology
Designed to familiarize students with various aspects of marine chordates.

MI 345 Marine Ornithology
var-3sh
Prerequisite: One year of biology or consent of the instructor
Introduces student to avian fauna of seacoast and enables comparison with inland species. In addition to field work providing visual and vocal identification, lecture material will include information on distribution, behavior, physiology, and anatomy of birds.

MI 362 Marine Geology
var-3sh
Prerequisites: MI110 and physical geology or consent of instructor
Studies of structural and sedimentary environments of continental shelf, slopes, and ocean basins and crustal structure of the earth and its relation to sedimentary record and geologic history of oceans.

MI 364 Physical Oceanography
var-3sh
Prerequisites: MI110, one year of physics, one semester of calculus, and permission of the instructor
Course includes consideration of physical properties, mass and energy budgets, theory of distribution of variables; cause, nature, measurement, analysis, and prediction of tides, currents, and waves; and basic instrumentation in the field.

MI 420 Marine Micropaleontology
var-3sh
Prerequisites: One year of geology and biology or consent of instructor
Deals with modern, living representatives of microorganisms important in fossil record with particular emphasis placed on taxonomy, morphology, evolution, and ecologic affinities of representative groups.

MI 431 Ecology of Marine Plankton
var-3sh
Prerequisite: One year of biology
Study of phytoplankton and zooplankton in marine and brackish environments. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons made between the planktonic populations of various types of habitats in relation to primary and secondary productivity.

MI 459 Coastal Geomorphology
var-3sh
Prerequisite: One year of geology
A study of coastal geomorphology with emphasis on Late Cenozoic and Pleistocene sea-level changes in response to worldwide continental glaciation. The student will participate in field studies of Pleistocene deposits and the weathering of these deposits.

MI 481 Special Topics
var-3sh
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 481 are offered primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.

MI 482 Independent Study
var-1-3sh
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and provost's office
Students with interest in independent study of a topic not offered in the curriculum may propose a plan of study in conjunction with a faculty member. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.

MI 500 Problems in Marine Science
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Graduate students or undergraduate students with advanced standing registering for this course may elect either of the following options.

• Option A: Take a 200, 300, or 400 level MI course and complete, in addition to regular course requirements, a project in the area under direction of instructor.
• Option B: Complete an independent research project. A research proposal must be approved by the Academic Committee of M.S.C. in advance of the time research is to be undertaken.