Climate Change Institute M.S. Degree Courses

SMS 410 - Marine Physics

SMS 460 - Climate Change: understanding the Forecast

Principles and factors that determine global climate with emphasis on the atmospheric processes and the role of the ocean in climate change. The science behind the global climate models will be presented. The technique and uncertainties of the forecast models are examined. Prerequisites: MAT 126, PHY 111, SMS 100. Cr. 3.

SMS 501 - Biological Oceanography

Marine organisms and their interrelationships with chemical, geological and physical aspects of their environments. Prerequisites: BIO 319 or equivalent or permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 520 - Chemical Oceanography

Distribution and cycling of elements in the marine system with emphasis on geochemical and biochemical interactions. Prerequisite:. CHY 121, CHY 123. Cr. 3.

SMS 525 - Marine Biogeochemistry

Biogeochemistry and benthic-pelagic coupling of nutrients, organic substances, and trace elements in the marine system. Emphasis on coastal and sedimentary regimes. Prerequisite:. SMS 520. Cr. 3.

SMS 531 - Coral Reefs

An exploration of the combined geological, physical, chemical and biological factors that make coral reefs among the most diverse and productive systems in the world. Examines biology, taxonomy and ecological interactions of dominant reef organisms. Explores modern reef processes such as primary productivity, competition, predation and herbivory along with some geological processes such as the role of sea level in reef formation and growth. Prerequisite:. BIO 353 or permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 540 - Satellite Oceanography

An overview of the use of remote sensing technologies for making measurements of the marine environment. Introduces the various sensors used by oceanographers, their background, the principles behind their operation and measurement retrieval. Emphasis will be placed on readings from the prime oceanography literature and biogeophysical applications of the data, their analysis, advantages and limitations rather than physical/optical theory. Prerequisites: SMS 501 and SMS 541 or permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 541 - Physical Oceanography

Covers physical properties of sea water, waves and tides, distribution of variables, dynamics, water masses and the general circulation. Prerequisite:. PHY 121, PHY 122, MAT 126 or permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 560 - Marine Geology

Topics include current theories of the origin of the earth as a planet and the development of continents and ocean basins, morphology and structure of the sea floor, interpretation of geological and geophysical evidence relevant to the origin and evolution of major tectonic features of ocean regions. Lec. 3. Prerequisite:. GES 101, GES 102 or permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 561 - Marine Microbiology

A lecture and literature-based course focusing on microbiology and microbial ecology of marine environments, emphasizing prokaryote-prokaryote interactions, prokaryote-eukaryote interactions and prokaryotic diversity and distribution in marine environments. (This course is identical to BMB 561.) Prerequisite:. BMB 300 or permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 568 - Paleoceanography

A study of the geological history of the ocean basins, the oceanic circulation and the climate of the past as recorded in deep sea sediments. Courses in general biology and oceanography are strongly recommended. Prerequisite:. permission. Cr. 3.

SMS 595 - Spectral Analysis and Principal Component Analysis

Provides theoretical and computational guidance on techniques commonly used in the analysis of data arising from many of environmental sciences, emphasizing hands-on understanding of the methods and correct interpretation of results. Part one covers spectral analysis of time series: theoretical development analysis of real data. Part two covers analysis of time-space data, centered around Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Term project required. Prerequisites: calculus, probability theory and statistics. Cr. 3.

SMS 660 - Multivariate Analysis

ClimatologyArchaeology GlaciologyBiology Glacial GeologyModelingMarine Geology
Required CoursesGrad. Courses Main
Marine Geology
Required CoursesGrad. Courses Main