2012 Summer Session IV - July 23 - August 10 Course Descriptions and Information

Course Title: Marine Geology/Geophysics

Course Number: MAR/GEL 366 & 367 Credits: 3 semester hours
Course Description:
Sedimentary and tectonic characteristics of the continental margins and deep ocean basins; principles and processes of sediment transport and deposition in the marine environment; applications of geological and geophysical methods at sea; marine mineral resources and coastal processes.

This is a hands-on, field-intensive course. A significant amount of course time is spent in the field (both on and offshore) collecting data and samples and making observations. Students will then work in the laboratory to further identify and analyze field collected data. On average students will spend at least 10 hours per week in the field, at least 5 in the laboratory and at least 5 on lecture.

 
Prerequisites: A college-level Oceanography and/or Introductory Geology class

Faculty Contact: Dr. Adrienne Oakley, Kutztown University

Course Title: Biological Oceanography
Course Number: Biol 495 or ESCI 465 Credits: 3 semester hours
Course Description:
Study of how oceanographic factors (ocean currents, tides, sediments) and ecological factors (predator-prey, competition) affect the spatial and temporal distributions of marine organisms to address current topics in pollution, fisheries, climate change, and biogeography. This far reaching field includes all kingdoms of life from bacteria to whales in a range of scales from vertical migration in estuaries to satellite imagery of the whole ocean. This course will focus on biological, chemical and physical interactions in local bays and the nearby coastal ocean. Students learn modern oceanographic techniques and analysis, design and analyze experiments, collect data on the MSC research vessel R/V PARKER, and prepare presentations and reports to synthesize this information.

Prerequisites: 1 year of college biology and one semester college-level oceanography.

Faculty Contact: Dr. Robert Vaillancourt, Millersville University & Dr. Julie Ambler, Millersville Univeristy

Course Title: Estuarine Ecology

The course Estuarine Ecology has been cancelled. Students interested in estuarine ecology are encouraged to sign up for Biological Oceanography. Dr. Ambler (former instructor for Estuarine Ecology) will be co-teaching Biological Oceanography with Dr. Bob Vaillancourt. Topics in estuarine ecology will be included in Biological Oceanography. Please contact Dr. Ambler (Julie.ambler@millersville.edu )or Dr. Vaillancourt (Robert.Vaillancourt@millersville.edu ) if you have questions.

Course Title: Selected Topics: Coastal Zone Natural Resource Management
Course Number: ESS 490 (023-490) Credits: 3 semester hours
Course Description:
There are three interrelated emphasis areas of this course: 1) Physical and Earth Resources Science which emphasizes the physical and chemical aspects of coastal ecosystems including hydrology, water quality, pollution and waste management, coastal processes, coastal climatology, soil properties, etc.; 2) Biotic Resource Science with an emphasis on conservation biology, and basic ecological principles that govern complex interactions between the biotic and abiotic components of coastal ecosystems and the use of these concepts as applied to responsible natural resource management practices; and 3) Engineering and Land Use Sciences which expose students to the application of biological and physical resource sciences to the human factors involved in environmental management. Students will explore social, political, and economic issues and opportunities as they apply to coastal zone management regulations, policies, and sound engineering projects.
Students will engage all aspects of this course through field trips, lecture, and hands-on data collection and analysis. Students will visit urban and rural settings in the coastal zone of the Delmarva and Chesapeake Bay regions, and the various environments of the coastal zone in order to assess their biological diversity, soils, sediments, and water quality. Students will explore aquaculture and agricultural areas and investigate best management practices. Students will visit engineering projects designed to protect human infrastructure and reduce the impact of natural processes on natural and human landscapes. Students will engage local citizens, businesses, tourists, and local, state and federal agencies in environmental education projects and data collection initiatives designed to assess the various social, cultural, economic, and political issues surrounding natural resource management.

Prerequisites: Combined coursework of at least 6 hours in ecology-based biology and/or geosciences (i.e. geology, physical geography, hydrology, etc.) and completion of at least 60 credit hours (or Junior standing) is required. Students not meeting these requirements need to seek permission of instructor prior to final registration.

Note: This is open to all majors, and would be especially applicable to Geology, Earth Science, Geography Land Use, Human Environmental, Ecology and Environmental Biology and Earth-Space Science Education Majors. The course involves field trips and boat trips in and around the Delmarva Peninsula. Students will spend a great deal of time on and in the waters of the coastal zone, so all students need to be able to swim, and carryout field work in terrestrial and aquatic settings. Students will be on their feet for extended periods of time and will be required to work with a variety of tools and equipment.

Faculty Contact: Dr. Sean Cornell, Shippensburg University