MS 234: Advanced Biological Oceanography Fall 4 Units Experimental techniques in biological oceanography with emphasis on problems important in plankton ecology. The course includes lectures and labs, and discussions of current research problems. An individual research project involving the use of one or more modern analytical tools will be required. Prerequisites: Graduate standing; MS 144 or instructor's consent.

MS 248: Marine Benthic Habitat Mapping Techniques
Spring 4 Units

The collection and interpretation of geophysical data that can be used to characterize marine benthic habitats. Basic geophysical principals will be reviewed. Application of techniques will be used to identify and characterize marine benthic habitats, including echosounders, multibeam bathymetry and backscatter, sidescan sonar, seismic profiling, and GIS.

Prerequisites:
Graduate standing; MS 141 or instructor's consent.

MS 274: Advanced Topics in Oceanography - Population Dynamics and Interpretation of Biological and Geophysical Records
Fall 3 Units

In this class we use both biology and mathematics to understand populations and their responses to ecological and geophysical interactions. This course will cover the principles of Population Biology starting with growth models and building upon these to understand the effects of various types of species interactions on population structure. Life history and population genetic theory will be included to the extent that they explain population persistence, biogeography, evolution, and speciation. From these building blocks we will move to interpretation of records of populations and other systems, using time series analysis to develop techniques for assessing the primary forcings and responses in these systems. Such effort relies strongly on interpretation of climate and oceanographic records at a number of time scales, so our emphasis will shift to analysis of geophysical records (examples might include sediment or ice core data, oceanographic and meteorological records from fixed sensors, larval settlement time series, satellite image time series, and others). Topics will likely include spectral analysis and filtering, and analysis of correlation and covariance in both the time and space domains.

The study of a selected area of oceanography. The subjects will vary depending on student demand and availability of instructors. Can be repeated for credit when topics change.

Prerequisites:
Graduate standing, instructor's consent

MS 274: Advanced Topics in Oceanography - Habitat Mapping Techniques

Fall 3 Units

Habitat mapping is the quantitative analysis and characterization of geologic surfaces (geospatial mapping) across a wide range of spatial scales (from hundreds of km to mm) and throughout a large range of key environments for many marine biological processes, from the deep seafloor to the rocky intertidal. The class will introduce the students to the theoretical, field, analytical, and practical tools of geospatial analysis in marine sciences. The students will also have a chance to learn how to use a state-of-the-art laser-based Spatial Station, GPS, 3D-surface data software, and GIS.

The study of a selected area of oceanography. The subjects will vary depending on student demand and availability of instructors. Can be repeated for credit when topics change

Prerequisites:
Graduate standing, instructor's consent

MS 285-1:Graduate Seminar in Marine Science - Applications of Genetics for Marine Ecology and Evolution
Fall 2 units

We will discuss concepts and methods for the use of genetic data in marine ecology and evolution, broadly construed to include topics such as biodiversity, phylogenetics, biogeography, behavior, ecophysiology, population biology, and community ecology. Specific topics will be decided during the first class meeting depending on students' interest. The intention is to focus on topics of direct relevance to students' thesis research. Additionally, we shall have guest presentations by local marine scientists working in these areas. Students will be expected to lead and prepare summaries of discussions, and prepare a final report.

Seminar will be held on topics changing each semester. Each student will be required to give at least one seminar. May be repeated for credit. Offered spring and fall semesters.

Prerequisites: