2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Marine Science
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Marine science is a rich discipline that combines studies from a variety of subjects
in order to understand the marine environment, marine life, and their interactions.
Basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics is essential
for students to analyze the workings of marine systems and to appreciate the processes
affecting marine life. Studies in marine biology are broad, spanning organisms
from bacteria to whales, and spanning perspectives from entire marine communities
to the biochemistry of molecules. Marine science plays a pivotal role in the continuing
quest to understand our world and to manage its resources. The interdisciplinary
nature of the Marine Science curriculum will prepare students to analyze critically
such contemporary issues as environmental change, human impacts on the ocean,
and biodiversity.
Students seeking the BS degree in Marine Science follow a biological or a physical
marine science track. The biological track emphasizes ecology, behavior, physiology,
genetics, and population and community structure of marine animals, plants, and
microbes. The physical track is oriented toward physical, chemical, and geological
ocean science. Students in both tracks learn to appreciate the oceanographic perspective,
that is, the oceans as systems of interacting components. Both tracks share common
courses designed to provide an interdisciplinary science background. Where appropriate,
courses take advantage of the many ecological and oceanographic regimes found
along the Maine coast. Students in both tracks are encouraged to spend a fall
Semester-by-the-Sea taking hands-on courses in residence at the University’s Darling
Marine Center. Students are counseled to seek opportunities for independent research,
internships, and part-time employment with marine faculty. Students in the Marine
Science program are provided with a strong general foundation in the sciences
suitable for advanced study in one of the marine sciences or in other scientific
fields. The BS in Marine Science also provides a solid preparation for immediate
employment in marine-related industries, governmental agencies, education, and
the nonprofit sector. Students may consult with their academic advisors to achieve
specific goals, such as professional certification as an Associate Fisheries Scientist
by the American Fisheries Society. More information about Marine Science can be
found on our web site www.marine.maine.edu
The School of Marine Sciences has administrative offices in Aubert Hall on the
Orono campus. Faculty offices and research laboratories are located on the Orono
campus and at the Darling Marine Center. The approximately 40 faculty that comprise
the School have expertise in numerous marine fields, and they teach and conduct
research and outreach in both basic and applied sciences, such as aquaculture.
Most have teaching and research interests of relevance to the State of Maine,
e.g. population biology and culture of important marine species, and also of relevance
to other geographic areas and scientific questions, e.g. the biology and oceanography
of the Antarctic Ocean.
Facilities for teaching and research in marine science on the Orono campus are
numerous and diverse. They are found in several buildings that house School faculty.
Special instrumentation and facilities include: a scanning and electron microscopy
laboratory; instrumentation for molecular biology and microbiology, including
a central DNA sequencing facility; aquatic holding and recirculation systems;
an oceanographic satellite receiving laboratory; and comprehensive computing support.
The Orono campus also houses the Aquaculture Research Center, which contains several
salt-water recirculation systems for rearing marine organisms and a wave-generation
tank.
The Darling Marine Center is the marine laboratory of the University of Maine
and functions as a research and teaching facility for University of Maine students
and faculty and for visiting investigators from throughout the world. The Center
is located near the mouth of the Damariscotta Estuary about 100 miles south of
Orono. A shuttle provides transportation between the Orono and Darling campuses
during the academic year. Facilities include modern laboratories, classrooms,
conference rooms, a marine library, flowing seawater laboratories a dormitory
and dining hall, and cottage housing. A fleet of boats up to 42 feet long provides
access to nearby estuarine and coastal waters. Several undergraduate and graduate
courses are offered at the Darling Center each year, in addition to the Semester-by-the-Sea
program.
Bachelor of Science in Marine Science
Requirements of the Marine Science major
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all requirements of the major overall
and in all SMS courses.
- Satisfy university-wide general education requirements
- Earn at least 120 credits
- College: NFA 117 (marine emphasis)
- Biology: BIO 100, BMB 280
- Chemistry: CHY 121/122, 123/124
- Mathematics: MAT 126 or MAT 151, and MAT 232
- Physics: PHY 111, 112, or PHY 121,122
- Earth Science: SMS 108 or GES 101 or GES 102 or GES 109
- Environment Policy: INT 105
- Core SMS marine science courses: SMS 100, SMS 201, SMS 302, SMS 402, and four
Integrative Marine Science classes, plus 15 credits of Marine Science electives at the 300+ level.
- Senior Capstone Experience: SMS 400 and SMS 404 (Senior Capstone seminar) for
a total of 4 credits taken either or both semesters of the senior year
Concentration in Marine Biology:
Students who wish to declare a concentration in marine biology must meet the
requirements of the Marine Science major (above) in addition to the following:
- The 15 credits of SMS electives should be chosen from the list of SMS Marine
Biology electives* (see below). It is strongly recommended that students take
at least 3 credits of marine ecology and include courses that cover primary producers,
vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
- Organic chemistry or biochemistry: BMB 221/222 or CHY 251/253
- Complete an additional 6 credits at the 300+ level either from the SMS Marine
Biology elective list below or selected from the following list of courses: BIO
336, BIO 353, BIO 445, BIO 450, BIO 452, BIO 453, BIO 462, BIO 465, BIO 480, BMB
300/305, BMB 322, BMB 430/431, BMB 490
* SMS Marine Biology electives include:
INT 308, INT 441, INT 484, SMS 300, SMS 306, SMS 321, SMS 322, SMS 350, SMS 352,
SMS 373, SMS 422, SMS 425, SMS 480, SMS 481, SMS 482, SMS 485/486
Concentration in Physical Marine Science:
Students who wish to declare a concentration in Physical Marine Sciences must
meet the requirements for the Marine Science major (above) in addition to the
following:
- Marine Sciences: SMS 330
- Mathematics: MAT 127
- Physics: PHY 121, 122
- Chemistry: CHY 242
- An additional 15 credits that should be chosen from the list of SMS Physical
Oceanography electives which include: INT 484, SMS 300 or SMS 352, SMS 333, SMS
460, SMS 481, SMS 560
- Complete an additional 6 credits either from the SMS Physical Oceanography electives
list or selected from the following list of courses: CHY 371, CHY 372/374, CHY
461, GES 314, GES 315, MAT 228, MAT 258, MAT 332, MAT 351, MAT 434, MAT 437, PHY
238, PHY 452, SIE 433
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