Marine Biology (MBY)

MBY 309  Marine Biology  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103, 104.

A general survey of the invertebrates, vertebrates, and marine plants as communities with emphasis on local examples of these principal groups. Students will have an opportunity to examine marshland, estuarine, beach, dune, inlet and neritic habitats, and niches. Lecture, laboratory, and field work will be included

MBY 411  Marine Ecology  (4)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, 102, 103, 104, one year of general chemistry, and one semester of general physics. Prerequisites for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology; marine invertebrate zoology or marine biology (one semester of physics recommended). Bioenergetics, community structure, population dynamics, predation, competition, and speciation in marine ecosystems will be studied; lecture and laboratory work will be included, although considerable time will be spent in field work; individual species will be studied as they relate to ecological principles which they exemplify, thus providing both a taxonomic and ecologic background.

MBY 412  Coastal Orinthology  (4)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, 102, 103, and 104. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. Study of coastal and pelagic birds with emphasis on ecology, taxonomy, and distribution; identification, population dynamics, and behavior of coastal birds; lecture, laboratory, and overnight trips to offshore islands.

MBY 413  Marine Aquaculture  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): General biology required; ichthyology, limnology, and invertebrate zoology suggested, but not required.

This course will introduce students to techniques in marine aquaculture with emphasis in the areas of nutrition and feeding, reproductive biology, production techniques, water quality requirements, processing, marketing, and economics of commercially important marine aquaculture species. This course is also designed to assist students in developing their problem solving and communication skills.

MBY 415  Marine Botany  (4)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, 102, 103, and 104. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. General study of coastal and marine flora with emphasis on taxonomy, morphology, physiology, ecology, and distribution; community structure in various ecosystems will be studied; students will have an opportunity to examine pelagic, marshland, estuarine, beach, sand dune, and inlet niches.

MBY 416  Introduction to Oceanography  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): One year of general biology or one year of general zoology and one year of general botany; one year of general chemistry; one semester of physics; and one semester of college algebra.

An introduction to biological, chemical, geological, and physical aspects of the sea.

MBY 420  Coral Reef Ecology  (4)  

Examines the ecology and evolution of coral reef communities, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps with exploration of such issues as the degradation of reef-building corals by macroalgae, hurricanes, coral bleaching, diseases of corals and sea urchins, over-fishing and pollution. Students will participate in lectures and field exercises in the vicinity of Dauphin Island, and will take a one-week field trip to Andros Island, Bahamas.

MBY 421  Special Topics: Marine Conservation Biology  (4)  

Intended to develop a student's understanding of conservation biology by building upon the foundations of ecology; lectures and field exercises; requires students to develop a topical term paper and give a presentation.

MBY 423  Marsh Ecology  (4)  

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: Advanced undergraduate standing. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. Study of floral and faunal elements of various marine marsh communities; interaction of physical and biological factors will be emphasized; structured to provide field experience in addition to lecture material; trips will be scheduled to acquaint students with regional examples of marsh types.

MBY 427  Marine Technical Methods I  (2)  

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: Advanced undergraduate standing. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. Introduction to instruments and procedures normally utilized aboard a marine research vessel; includes physical, biological, chemical, and geological parameter measurements and sample collections; basic positioning and communication procedures included.

MBY 428  Marine Technical Methods II  (2)  

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: Advanced undergraduate standing. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. Introduction to the laboratory methodology associated with the usual chemical parameters of nutrient analysis; laboratory approach will be pursued; shipboard and other specific skills will be developed.

MBY 435  Coastal Zone Management  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing.

A review of ecological features and of management policies for coastal communities with a description of relevant federal and state programs.

MBY 436  Marine Restoration Ecology  (2)  

This course will provide an overview of the scientific and technical principles of marine habitat restoration. We will discuss the role of key ecological concepts in restoration, and the role of restoration in science and society. Students will identify structural and functional components of marine habitats and learn how to design restoration projects and monitoring plans that capture these key components of structure and function. Students will learn to recognize when adaptive management may be needed, and how to formulate strategies to correct or maintain the desired trajectory of restored habitats. Students will also be introduced to the interdisciplinary nature of restoration science, including social, ethical, political and economic aspects. Lectures will be supplemented with reading assignments.

MBY 439  Coastal Wetlands Ecology  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103 and 104.

This course will focus on coastal and near shore wetland areas, with an emphasis on the biogeochemical processes, ecological function, and conservation. Lecture and laboratory.

MBY 443  Marine Systems Ecology  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate standing in Biology or Environmental Engineering.

A Basic or Fortran programming course or experience. The study of holistic characteristics, structure, function, and performance of marine and estuarine ecological systems, including interactions with systems of man. Strongly recommended: calculus background, preferably through differential equations.

MBY 459  Shark and Ray Biology  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103 and 104.

This course provides an introduction to the biology of sharks and rays, with special emphasis on regional shark fauna and field techniques. Topics covered include, but not restricted to evolution and systematics of chondrichthyan fishes, physiology, reproduction and life history, diet, ecology, and conservation biology. Lecture and Lab experiences.

MBY 460  Dolphins and Whales  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): BY 320 and MBY 486.

Prerequisite for Graduate: None. Designed to enable students to make rapid, accurate, and thoughtful use of a customized reference file and laboratory and field notes to respond to questions about the classification, anatomy, and ecology of marine mammals; lecture and laboratory. (Not open to students with credit in MBY 481.)

MBY 461  Marine Behavioral Ecology  (4)  

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: BY 332. Recommended: MS 204. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. Examines how animal behavior is influenced by and interacts with its environment, and the ecological and evolutionary significance of these behaviors in a marine setting; lectures, laboratory, and field exercises (some overnight).

MBY 462  Marine Protozoology  (3,4)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, 102, 103, 104 or MBY 309. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. Study of the major groups of protests from a variety of marine habitats including their taxonomy, structure, ecology of methods of identification; lectures, laboratory, and field trips.

MBY 463  Marine Fish Diseases  (3,4)  

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: BY 323. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. Introduction to marine animal diseases, specifically finfish and shellfish; practical microbiological techniques for isolation and identification of diseases; lecture, laboratory, and field trips.

MBY 464  Introduction to Neurobiology  (4,5)  

for Undergraduate. (5). for Graduate. Prerequisite for Undergraduate: Advanced undergraduate standing. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. Introduction to the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of marine invertebrates and vertebrates; Neuroism computer package used to help illustrate the basic principles and to allow a detailed exploration of neurophysiology and neutral networks; lecture and laboratory.

MBY 465  Biology and Conservation of Marine Turtles  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): BY 101, 102, 103 and 104.

This course will cover the identification, distribution, nesting behavior, migratory behavior, population biology and genetics, evolution, and conservation of marine turtles. Lecture and laboratory. Overnight field trip and special fees apply.

MBY 481  Marine Mammals  (4)  

Prerequisite(s): BY 101,102, 103 and 104.

This course will cover the evolutionary history, taxonomy/classification, anatomy, physiology, behavior, conservation/management issues, and research techniques related to marine mammals. Lecture and laboratory. Not open to students with credit in MBY 460.

MBY 486  Marine Vertebrate Zoology  (4)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, 102, 103, and 104. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. Study of marine fish, reptiles, and mammals, with a comprehensive treatment of their systematics, zoogeography, and ecology; lectures will encompass subject matter on a non-regional basis; field and laboratory work will stress the vertebrate fauna of the northern Gulf of Mexico; students will have the opportunity to assemble a collection of vertebrate species.

MBY 487  Marine Invertebrate Zoology  (4)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: BY 101, 102, 103, and 104. Prerequisite for Graduate: Graduate standing in biology. Examination of the systematics, ecology, physiology, and phylogenetic relationships of locally occurring marine invertebrate taxa; lecture, laboratory, and field work required; students have an opportunity to acquire collections of local fauna.

MBY 491  Directed Research  (2)  

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Students may enroll by special arrangement to do research in any of the subject areas of marine science currently being offered at the Sea Laboratory.