This minor focuses on biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography.  Students pursuing the minor must take at least 15 credits of 3000-level and above courses, including 3 courses from Group A, and 2 additional courses from either group A or B.  Details of this minor are given in the undergraduate catalog.

A Plan of Study for the Minor in Oceanography needs to be approved by an advisor in the Department of Marine Sciences and submitted to the Degree Audit Office during the first four weeks of the semester when the student expects to graduate.

Group A

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MARN 4010 Biological Oceanography
Second semester. 3 credits. This is an advanced course in biological processes in oceanic and coastal waters that emphasizes empirical and theoretical concepts of marine ecosystem dynamics, primary and secondary production and detrital cycling.

MARN 4030W Marine Biogeochemistry
First semester. 3 credits. This course focuses on the composition, origin and solution chemistry of sea water by highlighting the marine biogeochemical cycles of water, salt, carbon, nutrients, gases and trace elements. It also focuses on the effects of ocean circulation, biological cycles and crustal exchanges on the distribution and transfer of substances in the marine environment.

MARN 4050 Geological Oceanography
First semester. 3 credits. This course explores the basic concepts in geological oceanography, plate tectonics and the role of ocean floor dynamics in the control of the Earth and ocean system.

MARN 4060 Descriptive Physical Oceanography
Second semester. 3 credits. This course focuses on the ocean basin characteristics, properties of sea water, distribution of water masses, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, waves, tides, near-shore circulation, methods and instrumentation.

Group B

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MARN 2002 Coastal Systems Science I
Second semester (Avery Point). 3 credits. This course explores the biological, chemical, physical, and geological structure and function of coastal systems; a worldwide survey with emphasis on important coastal habitats and processes.

MARN 3000 The Hydrosphere
Either semester. 3 credits. This course highlights the interactions of the hydrological, chemical and biological components of the hydrosphere via transport, reservoirs and dynamics of water in environmental systems.

MARN 3001 Coastal Systems Science II
First semester (Avery Point). 4 credits. This course explores the biological, chemical, physical and geological structure and function of coastal systems; a worldwide survey with emphasis on important coastal habitats and processes.

MARN 3015 Molecular Approaches to Biological Oceanography
First semester. 3 credits. This course focuses on the principles and technology in nucleic acid purification and manipulation, DNA fingerprinting, gene cloning and sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and detection of gene expression (mRNA and protein) through application examples in marine ecological studies.

MARN 3016 Marine Microbiology
(Also offered as MCB 3636.) First semester (Avery Point). Second semester (Storrs). 3 credits. This course is a general survey of the taxonomy, physiology and ecology of marine microorganisms.

MARN 3017 Plankton Ecology
First semester. 3 credits. This course focuses on the ecology of planktonic organisms (bacteria, protista and metazoa). It also explores the evolutionary ecology concept, methods of research, special features of aquatic habitats; adaptations to aquatic environments; population biology; predation, competition, life histories, community structure, and role of plankton in ecosystem metabolism.

MARN 3060 Coastal Circulation and Sediment Transport
Second semester (Avery Point). 3 credits. This course focuses on the circulation and mixing in estuaries and the inner continental shelf, including surface gravity waves, tides, and buoyancy and wind-driven circulation. It also examines coastal sediments, geomorphology, and processes of sedimentation, erosion and bioturbation. Required field trips.

MARN 3061 Environmental Fluid Dynamics
First semester. 3 credits. An introduction to fluid dynamics with applications to coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, lakes, and ground water flows. Topics include waves, tides turbulence, mixing, drag, lift, effects on organisms, and wind driven circulation.