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 University of Calgary Calendar 2022-2023 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION Course Descriptions M Marine Science MRSC
Marine Science MRSC
MRSC 321 420 430 450 500 501 502 507 511 513 515 525 537 540 572 574 600 601 602
 
Most formal courses in Marine Science are offered at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre that is owned by the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society. The Centre is situated in Bamfield on the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island, B.C.

Students must apply to and be accepted by the Centre before they are permitted to register for the Marine Science courses at the University of Calgary. Additional mandatory fees may be required and will be paid directly to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. For further information students should consult the Department of Biological Sciences.
 
Senior Courses
 
Marine Science 321       Introduction to Marine Science
Exploring the ocean environment, marine organisms, marine ecosystems and the impact of humans on the sea.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Biology 241 and 243.
Notes: This course is offered on the main campus in Calgary.
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Marine Science 420       Marine Phycology
A survey of the marine algae, with emphasis on the benthic forms in the vicinity of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Lectures, laboratory work, field collecting, identification and observation. The study of living specimens is emphasized both in the laboratory and in the field.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 430       Marine Ecology
An analytical approach to biotic associations in the marine environment. Opportunities will be provided for study of the intertidal realm in exposed and protected areas and of beaches and estuaries in the vicinity of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre; plankton studies and investigations of the subtidal and benthic environments by diving and dredging are envisaged.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 450       Introduction to Biological Oceanography
The biology of the oceans; supporting coverage of relevant physics and chemistry; plankton biology, community structure and life histories and influencing environmental factors. Collections will be made from sheltered inlets through Barkley Sound to offshore waters; field and laboratory studies of plankton organisms.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 500       Directed Studies
Directed studies under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Involves a research project approved by the supervisor in the field of interest of the student, and will be designed to take maximum advantage of the laboratory and/or field opportunities offered by the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
Course Hours: 6 units; (0-6)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 501       Special Topics in Marine Biology
This course will be offered, as opportunities arise, by distinguished scientists visiting at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre who are prepared to offer a course extending over a 3 week period.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Marine Science 502       Special Topics in Marine Biology
This course will be offered, as opportunities arise, by distinguished scientists visiting at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre who are prepared to offer a course extending over a 6-week period.
Course Hours: 6 units; (300 hours)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Marine Science 507       Directed Studies
Directed studies under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Involves a research project approved by the supervisor in the field of interest of the student, and will be designed to take maximum advantage of the laboratory and/or field opportunities offered by the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
Course Hours: 3 units; (0-6)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 511       Papers and Seminar in Marine Science
The purpose of this course is to provide a forum for students to integrate the knowledge they are obtaining from the other courses in this program. It will be a combination of presentations by resident and visiting researchers followed by discussion, discussion of original papers selected by the instructor(s), and short critiques of original papers by each student.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 513       Applied Data Analysis in Marine Science
Principles of study design and data analysis illustrated by lecture material, current research and research seminars. Students will acquire experience using the statistical computing language R.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department. Students are expected to have completed at least 54 units of a Biology program.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Marine Science 513 and 511 will not be allowed.
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Marine Science 515       Structure and Function in Marine Animals
This course will use marine invertebrates and vertebrates to explore the structural plans of animals in a functional framework. Rather than providing a comprehensive survey of diversity in the animal kingdom, specific taxa will be chosen that exemplify specific systems (e.g., respiratory, skeletal, nervous, etc.). The major taxa will be discussed together with minor groups that have peculiarities that are of general biological importance. This course will combine the disciplines of classification, evolution, morphology, biomechanics, physiology and biochemistry. The emphasis placed on each discipline will depend on the interests of the instructor. Field work will be integrated with the laboratory exercises.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 525       Ecological Adaptations of Seaweeds
An exploration of morphological, physiological, genetic and reproductive adaptations of seaweeds to their natural and man-altered environments. Daily lectures and laboratory exercises will complement frequent field observations.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department. Students are expected to have completed at least 54 units of a Biology program and to have successfully completed courses in organismal diversity, introductory genetics, cell biology and/or biochemistry. Statistics is recommended.
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Marine Science 537       Population and Community Ecology of Marine Organisms
An introduction to the concepts of marine plant, animal and community ecology. Emphasis will be on organism/physical and chemical environmental interactions, organismal interactions, and concepts of biological diversity. Daily lectures and laboratory exercises will be complemented by frequent field excursions.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department. Students are expected to have completed at least 54 units of a Biology program. Statistics is recommended.
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Marine Science 540       Biology of Marine Birds
A study of the interrelationship of birds and the marine environment. Lectures will emphasize the systematics and ecological relationships, behaviour, life histories, movements and conservation of marine birds. Census techniques and methods of study of marine birds in the field will be considered. Seabird identification, classification, morphology, plumage and moult will be examined in the laboratory.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Zoology 403 and consent of the Department.
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Marine Science 572       Marine Invertebrate Zoology
A survey of the marine phyla emphasizing natural history, morphology and systematics of the local invertebrate fauna. The course will include lectures, laboratory work, field collection, identification and observation. The study of living specimens is emphasized both in the laboratory and in the field.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Also known as: (Marine Science 410)
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Marine Science 574       Biology of Fishes
Classification, physiology, ecology, behaviour and zoogeography of fishes with particular emphasis on those in the marine environment of the British Columbia coast. Involves some field projects.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
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Graduate Courses

Enrolment in any graduate course requires consent of the Department.

600-level courses are available with permission to undergraduate students in the final year of their programs.

Special Graduate Courses: Each year the Western Canadian Universities Marine Biological Society offers short (one-week) intensive courses especially for graduate students interested in Marine Biology. Topics vary from year-to-year. Details are available from the Department of Biological Sciences.
 
Marine Science 600       Directed Studies
A course of directed studies under the supervision of a member of faculty, involving a research project approved by the supervisor. Each study will be designed to take maximum advantage of laboratory and/or field opportunities offered by the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
Course Hours: 6 units; (0-6)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Also known as: (Marine Science 500)
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Marine Science 601       Special Topics (3 weeks)
Courses of a specialized nature offered, as opportunities arise, by distinguished scientists visiting the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Also known as: (Marine Science 502)
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Marine Science 602       Special Topics (6 weeks)
Courses of a specialized nature offered, as opportunities arise, by distinguished scientists visiting the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.
Course Hours: 6 units; (3-3)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
Also known as: (Marine Science 501)
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