ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN
MARINE SCIENCE
The
marine science program is designed to respond to a need expressed by the FSM
leadership in the
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon
completion of the COM-FSM Marine Sciences requirements, students will be able
to demonstrate, in written and oral forms, a detailed knowledge regarding the
function of the world’s oceans and seas and the closely human induced
interactions with the marine environment. This can be achieved by:
1.
Express the fundamental notions of
geological physical, chemical and biological oceanography and exploring these
concepts to interpret the marine sciences.
2.
Describe the major environments of the
world’s oceans (from the near shore to offshore and from the shallow to the
deep) and the interactions with the living forms that inhabit each respective
ecosystem within this major water basin.
3.
Link the interaction between humans and
the world’s oceans, weighing both resource utilization needs (which covers the
fisheries and mariculture) and human induced
degradation of the marine environment and its counter balance, the examination
of the conservation and enhancement measures taken towards the marine
environment.
Program Requirements
Preparatory Courses (by placement)
General Education Core Requirements
.....................................................29 credits
English (9 credits)
EN 110
Advanced Reading (3)
EN 120a
Expository Writing I (3)
EN
120b Expository Writing II (3)
Mathematics (3 credits)
Any
100 level or above mathematics course
Natural Sciences (7 credits)
Any
two of the following courses recommended, one of which must have a lab.
SC 110
Introduction to Ecology (3)
SC 111
Environmental Studies (3)
SC 180
Microbiology w/lab (4)
SC 201
Astronomy (3)
SC 202
Weather and Climate (3)
SC 210
Conservation Science (3)
SC 220
Introduction to Geology (3)
SC 245
Remote Sensing (3)
SC 250
General Botany w/lab (4)
SC 255
General Zoology w/lab (4)
SC/SS
115 Ethnobotany (3)
MR 252
Fishery Extension (3)
Social Sciences (3 credits)
SS 150
History of
Computer Applications (3 credits)
CA 100
Computer Literacy (3)
Exercise Sports Science (1 credit)
Exercise
Sports Science course (1)
Humanities (3 credits)
Any
course in art, music, history, culture, literature, philosophy, or language (3)
Major
Requirements ............................................................................36
credits
Marine Science (23 credits)
MR 120 Marine Biology w/lab (4)
Prerequisite:
ESL 089
The
course introduces students to the common forms of life inhabiting the oceans of
the globe including the marine microbes, plants, invertebrates, and
vertebrates. Their basic structure, function, natural history and adaptations
to the marine environment will be covered. Current issues in marine biology
will also be discussed. Laboratory sessions and field exercises will focus
mostly on the taxonomic groups.
MR 201 Aquaculture w/lab (4)
Prerequisite:
MR 120
An
investigation of the principles underlying the culture of both marine and
freshwater organisms. Pertinent aspects of the physiology of aquatic species
will be covered as well as system design, water quality, nutrition,
reproduction, and disease. An analysis of the constraints of the development of
aquaculture will be made.
MR 210 Marine Ecology (3)
Prerequisite:
C or better in MR 120, SC 110
Focuses
on principles of ecology, ecological terminology, and the ecology of marine
ecosystems. Important physical, chemical, and biological interactions
controlling coral reef, mangrove, sea grass, estuarine, pelagic, benthic and
upwelling communities are discussed.
MR 230 Ichthyology w/lab (4)
Prerequisite:
C or better in MR 120, SC 120 or SC 255 or instructor’s permission.
Focuses
on general aspect of fish biology including tropical, temperate, freshwater and
marine fishes. Topics include classification, biology, and physiology of fish.
The laboratory includes internal and external examinations, identification, and
field observations techniques.
MR 240 Oceanography w/lab (4)
Prerequisite:
ESL 089
The
course will include sections on oceanographic history, geology, chemistry,
physics, biology, technology, and careers. The use of terminology will be
emphasized. Laboratory and field exercises will include demonstration of basic
concepts; use of instrumentation; and the collection and presentation of
oceanographic data.
MR 250 Fishery Biology and Management (3)
Prerequisite:
C or better in MR 120 or MR 240 and MS 100 or MS 101 or instructor’s
permission. The biological aspects of fishery science that are used in management
are examined. Population dynamics, modeling, fishing techniques, economics,
reproduction, production, ecology, geography, oceanography and important
environmental factors are discussed. Individual fisheries are used as examples
of important concepts.
MR 254 Marine Biology Field Studies (1)
Prerequisite:
MR 120 or consent of the instructor.
Reinforces
an understanding of marine biology, the marine environment and marine organisms
through exposure to learning experiences in the field and laboratory
investigations.
Natural Sciences (4 credits)
SC 230 Introduction to Chemistry w/lab
(4)
Prerequisite:
MS 098
The
course is an investigation of the fundamentals of general chemistry and an
introduction to organic chemistry. The course will emphasize the role of
chemistry in modern human life. The laboratory supports the lecture topics,
through both qualitative and quantitative experiments. The topics include:
basic concepts, chemical substances, chemical reactions, atomic structure,
states of matter, and an introduction to organic chemistry.
Mathematics (3 credits)
MS 150 Introduction to
Statistics (3)
Prerequisite:
MS 100
Introduces
the basic ideas of data presentation, descriptive statistics, basic
probability, and inferential statistics. Incorporates the use of a computer
spreadsheet package, MS Excel, for both data analysis and presentation. Studies
basic concepts using applications from business, social science, health
science, and the natural sciences.
Social Sciences (3 credits)
SS 120 Introduction to Geography (3) or
Prerequisite:
ESL 089
An
introduction to physical and regional geography. OR
Choose one of the following :
SS 101
Political Science
Prerequisite: ESL 089
Introduces students to the major elements of political
science through a conflict-management approach.
SS 125
Geography of the Pacific
Prerequisite: ESL 089
A study of the physical, social and cultural
geography of
SS 130
Introduction to Sociology
Prerequisite: ESL 089
An introduction to the concepts, theories and
research behind the study of human societies.
Open Elective (3 credits)
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS ...............................................................65
credits