Concentration in Physical Marine Science (Oceanography)
The Physical Marine Science concentration provides training in the physical sciences as they relate to processes in the ocean, and it allows students to specialize in a subdiscipline such as marine geology, chemical oceanography or physical oceanography.
Students who wish to declare a concentration in Marine Physical Sciences must meet the requirements for the Marine Science major (above) in addition to the following:
- Mathematics: MAT 127
- Physics: PHY 121, 122
- An additional 15 credits that should be chosen from the list of SMS Physical Marine Science electives.
- Complete an additional 6 credits either from the SMS Physical Marine Science electives list or selected from the following list of courses: CHY 242, CHY 251, CHY 252, CHY 371, CHY 372/374, CHY 461, ERS 314, ERS 315, ERS 534, MAT 228, MAT 258, MAT 332, MAT 351, MAT 434, MAT 437, PHY 238, PHY 452, SIE 433
Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Marine Science: Physical Marine Science (Oceanography) Concentration
First Year – First Semester
- BIO 100 – Basic Biology Credits: 4
- CHY 121 – Introduction to Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHY 123 – Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
- MAT 126 – Calculus I Credits: 4
- NFA 117 – Issues and Opportunities Credits: 1
- SMS 100 – Introduction to Ocean Science Credits: 3
First Year – Second Semester
- CHY 122 – The Molecular Basis of Chemical ChangeCredits: 3
- CHY 124 – The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Laboratory Credits: 1
- ENG 101 – College Composition Credits: 3
- MAT 127 – Calculus II Credits: 4
- SMS 201 – Biology of Marine Organisms Credits: 3
- SMS 203 – Introduction to Integrative Marine Science Credits: 1
Second Year – First Semester
- CHY 242 – Principles of Quantitative Analysis and Solution Equilibria Credits: 5
- PHY 121 – Physics for Engineers and Physical Scientists I Credits: 4
- General Education Requirement Credits: 3
Second Year – Second Semester
- STS 232 – Principles of Statistical Inference Credits: 3
- PHY 122 – Physics for Engineers and Physical Scientists II Credits: 4
- SMS 108 – Beaches and Coasts Credits: 3
- SMS 204 – Integrative Marine Science II: Physics and Chemistry of Marine Systems Credits: 2
- SMS Marine Science Physical (Oceanography) elective Credits: 3-6
- or
- General Education Requirement Credits: 3
Third Year – First Semester
- SMS 230 – Introduction to Marine Policy and Fisheries Management Credits: 3
- SMS 302 – Oceanography Credits: 3
- SMS 303 – Integrative Marine Science III: Oceanography Credits: 2
- SMS Marine Science Physical (Oceanography) elective Credits: 3-6
Third Year – Second Semester
- BMB 280 – Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology Credits: 3
- SMS 330 – Descriptive Physical Oceanography Credits: 3
- SMS Marine Science Physical (Oceanography) elective Credits: 3-6
- General Education Requirements Credits: 3-6
Fourth Year – First Semester
Semester by the sea (optional) may be taken first semester or either the junior or senior year (12-15 credits). Courses include:
- INT 441 Maritime History and Archaeology Credits: 3
- SMS 350 Undergraduate Seminar Credits: 1-3
- SMS 352 Marine Ecology Credits: 4
- SMS 480 Biology of Marine Invertebrates Credits: 4
- SMS 481 Design of Marine Organisms Credits: 4
- SMS 482 Human Impacts on the Ocean Credits: 3 (alternate years)or other fall courses:
- SMS 400 – Capstone Research Experience in Marine Science Credits: 1-4
- SMS 404 – Capstone Seminar in Marine Science Credits: 1
- General Education Requirements Credits: 0-6
- Integrative Marine Science course Credits:2
- SMS Marine Science Physical (Oceanography) elective Credits: 3-6
Fourth Year – Second Semester
- SMS 304 – Integrative Marine Science IV: Comparative Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 2
- SMS 400 – Capstone Research Experience in Marine Science Credits: 1-4
- SMS 402 – Oceans and Climate Change Credits: 3
- SMS 404 – Capstone Seminar in Marine Science Credits: 1
- Recommended SMS Electives Credits: 3-4
- General Education Electives Credits: 6-9