Graduate Catalog

The Department had its origins in the Institute of Marine Biology, established at the Mayagüez Campus in 1954 to promote and conduct research in this discipline. With expansion in both its scope and capabilities, the Institute became in August 1968, the Department of Marine Sciences. It has continued to broaden and strengthen its academic and research activities and currently sponsors active programs of investigation and instruction in the fields of physical, chemical and geological oceanography, marine biology, and aquaculture. The faculty has grown progressively to 23 members offering approximately 70 courses which encompass a wide range of topics in marine sciences—the largest such program in the Caribbean Basin.

The aim of the Department is to promote a greater understanding of the marine environ¬ment. This is achieved primarily through the education and training of marine scientists, and through basic and applied research. Emphasis on excellence in academic and research programs has placed the DMS at the forefront of marine science and in a position to serve the needs of the maritime nations of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The aims of its academic programs are to provide students with a firm grounding in marine sciences, an advanced knowledge of techniques for data collection and analysis, and instruction at the forefront of their fields of specialization. Students specialize in a particular discipline but are required to gain knowledge of other disciplines comprising the broad field of marine sciences. This is achieved by means of compulsory core courses in biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography and a seminar course in current topics.

The University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant College and the Puerto Rico Resource Center for Science and Engineering contribute substantially to the strength of the Marine Sciences Program. There is a considerable interaction with other science departments in Mayagüez and with the Medical Sciences Department in the Río Piedras Campus. During the last five years the department faculty has received more than $11.5 million in extramural grants.

Each year a number of research assistantships are awarded from departmental funds and from research grants. Departmental assistantships are awarded on merit and are not available to new Master’s degree students during their first semester. Assistantships from research funds are awarded at the discretion of the main researcher.

The Department of Marine Sciences facilities on the main campus in Mayagüez are located in a wing of the Physics-Geology-Marine Sciences Building, built in 1972. These facilities include departmental administrative offices, a number of laboratories and faculty offices, and the offices of the UPR Sea Grant College Program. Housed in this wing is the Marine Sciences Library Collection. Containing over 1,000 books, 17,000 serial volumes, 5,800 documents, plus numerous maps and reprints. It is one of the largest such specialized collections in the Caribbean. The collection is complimented by additional holdings in the Mayagüez Campus General Library, many of which are specific to marine sciences, and by a limited, yet specialized Sea Grant Library.

The Departments of Geology and Biology maintain and operate scanning electron microscopes (SEM) which are available to the DMS personnel. Additionally, DMS researchers have access to the SEM maintained and operated by the Faculty of Natural Sciences of UPR Río Piedras.

The Caribbean Atmospheric Research Center, dedicated to the study and modeling of Atmospheric phenomena in the Caribbean, was founded in 1997 and it is part of the Climate Modeling Group of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. The center provides updated and historical climate data and weather information for the Caribbean. The Climate Office has access to a network of over 120 stations located throughout Puerto Rico and over 20 stations around the US Virgin Islands. It is also a repository for a wealth of information on climate data obtained from many other organizations, including the National Climate Center, at Asheville, and the Climate Analysis Center, at Washington, DC. The Center receives journals on climate topics and has a large collection of climate data on CD-ROM.

The Puerto Rico Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Program initiated its activities in 1999 and its main goal is to produce tsunami flood maps for the Puerto Rico coastal areas. Presently in Puerto Rico there is a need to define those areas which could potentially be affected by tsunamis, travel time intervals between generation and arrival of the wave for evacuation purposes, and evacuation routes to safe areas. Many people living and/or working in the potentially affected areas have no knowledge of the related risk and how to respond during a tsunami emergency. Presently, in Puerto Rico and all over the Caribbean, there are no local or regional systems for rapidly determining the earthquake parameters needed to identify whether a tsunamigenic earthquake has occurred. This project will impact all low lying coastal areas and communities of Puerto Rico.

The Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (CCRI) was founded in 2003 under a cooperative agreement between the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance the application of science to the management of coral reef ecosystems. Coral reef ecosystems possess the greatest ecological complexity and biodiversity among marine biotopes, and represent an invaluable economic and recreational resource. Yet, reef systems throughout the Caribbean are being degraded by a variety of anthropogenic and natural stresses, such as overfishing, sedimentation, eutrophication, turbidity, pollution, and disease. CCRI sponsors management driven research utilizing the best expertise available and serves as a focal point for developing research priorities, building management capacity and disseminating results. Primary CCRI facilities are located the Department of Marine Sciences marine laboratory on Magueyes Island.

The Caribbean Regional Association in Support of an Integrated Ocean and Coastal Observing System for the U.S. Caribbean Exclusive Economic Zone

Sustained and integrated observation of the coastal ocean is an international initiative that will provide substantial benefits to the economy, to security and environmental conservation. In the United States, coastal observing systems are being channeled through “regional associations” of users and data suppliers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, has provided funding to the CIMA-UPRM and UVI faculty to organize a Regional Association that will administer the Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System for the Caribbean including Puerto Rico, the American Virgin Islands and the Island of Navassa west of Haiti. The immediate goals of the CaRA project are to coordinate: the establishment of a provisional Steering Committee for CaRA and an administrative structure for CaRA, convening of public organizational workshops and meetings, communication to data suppliers and potential users of the benefits of an integrated observing system, publication and maintenance of a dedicated web page, drafting of terms of reference for the Regional Association and the formal establishment of the Regional Association.

The principal departmental facilities are located at the field station on Isla Magueyes. A complex of 7 buildings, with a combined area approaching 30,000 square feet, houses faculty and student offices, research laboratories and classrooms and laboratories for teaching. Included are reference museums for fish, invertebrates and algae. The museum holdings, with 13,000 fish specimens, 5,000 invertebrate specimens, and 35,000 algae specimens, represent not only important regional collections, but are the largest within the Antilles. Over 6,000 sq. ft. of wet lab space is available. Filtered seawater is provided by a flow-through system supplying up to 85 gal/min and blown air is piped to the laboratories. The various laboratories possess most types of instrumentation and equipment essential for modern, sophisticated research. Of particular interest is the marine physiology laboratory, which contains freeze drying and solvent extraction facilities including high-speed, refrigerated centrifuges for the isolation of natural products, and the marine chemistry laboratory which contains salinometers, spectrophotometers, pH meters, a filter fluorometer, gas chromatograph, rotary evaporator, and a flow injection nutrient analyzer. Two fully functional molecular laboratories are located on Magueyes as well.

Other pertinent resources for research include a well-equipped algae culture facility, fresh and salt-water fish culture tanks, and a hatchery facility for aquaculture. A general use computer room on Magueyes Island was recently remodeled and has computers at 13 work stations. All computers at Magueyes Island are linked to a network and all laboratories have internet connectivity. Additional microcomputers are located in individual laboratories.

The Department maintains a complete diving facility including a dive locker, maintenance shop, and a compressor room equipped with an electric compressor rated at 5,000 psi. Tanks, regulators and other diving equipment are maintained and available for staff and students. A gas-powered, portable compressor may be used for extended field trips.

The marine research fleet can perform offshore and inshore research. This is accomplished by three large offshore vessels and seventeen smaller boats for inshore studies. Four of the small boats are high speed for trips to outlying reefs.

The R/V Pezmar is a 51-ft Thompson trawler. Navigation and communications equipment are VHF radio, 16-mile radar, and a depth sounder. 110 AC power is supplied from a 3.75-kW generator. A hydraulic capstan and a winch with 100 m of cable are aboard for fisheries or oceanographic research. The Pezmar can accommodate 5 scientists and has a range of 1400 miles.

The R/V Sultana is 42-ft vessel, outfitted with the equipment greeted to sample local species of plankton, fish and benthic invertebrates. Ships electronics provide depth, position and sea-floor topography.

The R/V Gaviota is a 35-ft Downeast power vessel. It is equipped with VHF radio and depth sounder. The Gaviota provides an excellent dive platform, and it is suitable for coastal studies.

Maintenance facilities are housed in four main buildings, which include workshops, a marine mechanic's shop, and a small boat and outboard motor repair shop. A power plant with two diesel generators provides electricity during power failures.

A 1,500 sq. ft. dormitory is located at the field station and is available to the many visiting researchers who come to Magueyes each year. Complete with kitchen and bath facilities, the dormitory can accommodate up to 20 persons.

Aquaculture facilities are based mainly at the DMS Aquaculture Station in Lajas, approximately 6 miles from Magueyes Island. The station features 10 acres of earthen ponds including 40 experiment/production ponds ranging in size from .02 hectare (ha) to .4 ha, a .2 ha irrigation pond, and a .8 ha reservoir pond. Smaller facilities consist of a series of fiberglass and concrete tanks, and plastic pools. A wet lab building serves as a hatchery, a holding area for live animals, and as a site for controlled laboratory experiments. Also maintained at the station are a water chemistry laboratory and offices for faculty and staff. Aquaculture facilities are not currently working at full capacity.

MARINE SCIENCES (CIMA)

Advanced Undergraduate Course

CIMA 5005. INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Basic knowledge, techniques, and areas of interest of the different disciplines of marine sciences. The interaction and research aims in Physical, Geological, Chemical and Biological Oceanography.

Graduate Courses

CIMA 6999. RESEARCH AND THESIS (I, II, S). One to six credit hours.

Up to a maximum of six credits representing the research and thesis may be granted towards the master of science degree.

CIMA 8785. CURRENT TOPICS SEMINAR (II). Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week.

Recent topics in marine sciences and related fields.

CIMA 8998. SPECIAL PROBLEMS (I, II, S). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Tutorial discussion and/or laboratory and library research on a special topic.

CIMA 8999. DOCTORAL RESEARCH AND DISSERTATION (I, II, S). Up to twelve credit hours.

Up to a maximum of twelve credits representing the dissertation may be granted toward the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

MARINE SCIENCES BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (CMOB)

Advanced Undergraduate Courses

CMOB 5006. SEAFOOD PROCESSING (II) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Techniques for processing seafood products and their effects on quality and consumer acceptance.

CMOB 5007. FUNDAMENTALS OF AQUACULTURE. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

The culture of animals and plants in fresh, brackish, or saline water. Field trips required.

CMOB 5015. FISHERIES BIOLOGY (I, II). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

A study of the principles and methods of fisheries investigation with emphasis on the fisheries of North America and the Caribbean. Field trips.

CMOB 5016. PHYCOLOGY (I, II). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Fundamental study of algae in general, with reference to the main groups: Chlorophyta, Xantophyta, Cianophyta, Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta. Study of biology, life histories, morphogenesis, ecology, evolution, taxonomy, and commercial or industrial uses of algae, and their importance in the bio-economics of the sea and other bodies of water. Intensive use will be made of audiovisual techniques, the herbarium, the laboratory, and field trips.

CMOB 5017. MARINE ECOLOGY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. Five credit hours. Three hours of lecture and two three-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Description of the marine environment and familiarization with the major tropical marine communities; data-gathering and biological sampling techniques; human impact on the marine environment from the standpoint of pollution, exploitation, protection, and regulation; jurisprudence in major litigation involving marine resources; management practices.

CMOB 5018. MARINE ECOLOGY. Six credit hours. Ten hours of lecture and eighteen hours of laboratory per week during six weeks in the summer.

A study of marine communities and their environment, with special consideration of ecosystems in the sea.

CMOB 5035. ENDANGERED MARINE VERTEBRATES. Two credit hours. Two three-hour periods of practice per week.

Biology, diseases, autopsy, and care of protected and endangered marine vertebrates. Field trips are required.

CMOB 5087. AQUACULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Impact of aquaculture on the environment and the mitigation of its effects. Field trips required.

Graduate Courses

CMOB 6017. LENGTH-FREQUENCY METHODS IN FISHERIES BIOLOGY (II) (On demand). Three credits hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Pre-requisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Techniques for sampling, analyzing, and interpreting length-frequency distributions to determine the dynamics and vital parameters of populations. Application of computer-based methods will be emphasized.

CMOB 6018. MARINE ECOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Structure and function of marine ecosystems; flux of energy and materials in biogeochemical cycles.

CMOB 6026. SEAFOOD TECHNOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: CIMA 5006 or CMOB 5006.

Industrial and regulatory procedures to ensure the quality of fish, shellfish, and related products. Field trips are required.

CMOB 6056. WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN AQUACULTURE. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Manipulation of water quality to improve production of aquatic organisms. Field trips are required.

CMOB 6075. FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES. Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and two two-hour laboratories per week.

Identification of freshwater invertebrates, their role in the environment, and their importance in aquaculture and pollution studies.

CMOB 6077. ZOOPLANKTON ECOLOGY (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Aspects of zooplankton ecology in relation to oceanographic processes in estuarine, neritic, and oceanic ecosystems. Includes experiences in sampling techniques and experimental design.

CMOB 6618. BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (I). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Marine life and its relationship to geological, physical and chemical aspects of the ocean; basic techniques fundamental to marine research. Demonstrations and field trips.

CMOB 6619. BIO-OPTICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (I) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Integrated study of the role of light in aquatic ecosystems including the physics of light transmission within water, the biochemistry and physiology of aquatic photosynthesis, and the ecological relationships that depend on the underwater light environment. Field trips required.

CMOB 6635. RESEARCH METHODS IN MARINE SCIENCES (II). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Techniques of data collection, analysis, and interpretation with emphasis on research problems relevant to the marine ecosystems of Puerto Rico.

CMOB 6636. WATER QUALITY IN FISH PONDS (II). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water that affect the growth and health of organisms cultivated in freshwater.

CMOB 6645. MARINE PLANKTON BIOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). Two credit hours. One hour of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Study of the marine plankton with emphasis on systematics, morphology, life histories, physiology, feeding, and reproduction. Importance of plankton on the economy of the sea, particularly in their role as primary and secondary producers. Field trips required.

CMOB 6655. MOLECULAR MARINE BIOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). Four credit hours. Two hours of lecture and two three-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Theory, practice, and applications of molecular marine biology.

CMOB 6686. FISH NUTRITION (I) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

The nutritional requirements and the digestive physiology of marine and freshwater fish.

CMOB 6687. DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUACULTURE HATCHERIES (I, II) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one four-hour laboratory per week.

Theory and practice in the cultivation of tropical aquatic species emphasizing a systems approach to the design and management of hatcheries.

CMOB 6689. CULTURED AQUATIC ORGANISMS HEALTH. Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and two three-hours laboratories per week.

The nature, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of parasites and diseases of cultured aquatic organisms. Field trips are required.

CMOB 8635. MARINE MICROBIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the biology of marine microalgae, bacteria and protzoa, with emphasis on the techniques of pure cultures and the physiology and ecology of marine organisms, both autotrophic and heterotrophic.

CMOB 8635. MARINE MICROBIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.

CMOB 8636. MARINE PARASITOLOGY (I) (On demand). Four credit hours. Two hours of lecture and two three-hour laboratories per week.

Parasitology of marine organisms with emphasis on local fauna; collecting methods, preparation for the study and identification of parasites.

CMOB 8645. MARINE PHYSIOLOGY (I) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

The physiological processes at the cellular and organismal levels directly concerned with the adaptation of the organism to the physical and chemical environment of the ocean; the more specialized physiological processes encountered in the study of the growth and behavior of marine organisms.

CMOB 8646. MARINE PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY (II) (On demand). One or two credit hours. One or two three-hour laboratories per week. Corequisite: CMOB 8645.

Laboratory research projects on a specific physiological process of marine organisms in response to marine environment. Project by arrangement.

CMOB 8649. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF READINGS IN MARINE ECOLOGY (II) (On demand). Two credit hours. Four hours of seminar per week.

Study of classical and recent readings in marine ecology. Analysis of authors' aims, methods, results, and interpretations.

CMOB 8656. SELECTED TOPICS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

The physiological bases for ecological relationships as displayed in representative examples. Individual laboratory projects will be required of all students.

CMOB 8657. AQUACULTURE (I, II) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Principles underlying food production by efficient utilization of various aquatic environments and organisms to include fresh, brackish and marine environments; and the lotic and lentic systems of the culture of fish and other aquatic crops, such as algae, mollusks, and crustaceans.

CMOB 8658. ADVANCED MARINE PARASITOLOGY. Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and two three-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: CMOB 8636.

Study of advanced topics on the parasites of marine animals. A research project will be required.

CMOB 8659. INVERTEBRATE AQUACULTURE. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Study of the cultivation of invertebrates such as shrimps, oysters, clams, mussels, gastropods, and octopi. Emphasis on modern techniques, feasibility and economic aspects.

CMOB 8665. MORPHOLOGY OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Form, structure and function of representative marine invertebrates.

CMOB 8667. ADVANCED FISHERIES BIOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Population dynamics of exploited species, management and conservation principles for commercial fisheries.

CMOB 8676. SYSTEMATICS OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES (I) (On demand). Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one four-hour laboratory per week.

Taxonomy, phylogeny and distribution of marine invertebrates with special attention to local forms.

CMOB 8678. MARINE POPULATION BIOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Principles of population biology and their application to the organization of marine communities.

CMOB 8679. MARINE BOTANY (I, II). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the flora of the sea, with emphasis on the morphology, ecology and taxonomy of algae.

CMOB 8685. THE RHODOPHYTA OF PUERTO RICO. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CMOB 8679.

A study of the life cycles, reproduction, taxonomy and ecology of the macroscopic red algae of Puerto Rico.

CMOB 8686. ICHTHYOLOGY I (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the morphology, physiology and ecology of fishes, with emphasis on marine forms.

CMOB 8687. ICHTHYOLOGY II (I) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the systematics, evolution and distribution of fishes, with emphasis on marine forms.

CMOB 8687. ICHTHYOLOGY II (I) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A study of the systematics, evolution and distribution of fishes, with emphasis on marine forms.

CMOB 8689. PIGMENT PHYSIOLOGY (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Physiological function of marine pigments.

CMOB 8690. CULTURE TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN ALGAE RESEARCH. Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and two two-hour laboratories per week. Prerequisite: CMOB 8679 or CMOB 8685.

Algae culture and its research methodology to determine the life history of red algae.

CMOB 8695. THE PHAEOPHYTA (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CMOB 5016 or CMOB 8679.

Life cycles, biology, morphology, ecology, taxonomy and evolution of the brown algae. Field trips required.

CMOB 8696. THE CHLOROPHYTA (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CMOB 5016 or CMOB 8679.

Life cycles, biology, morphology, ecology, taxonomy, and evolution of the benthic marine green algae. Field trips required.

CMOB 8699. PHYCOLOGY SEMINAR (II) (On demand). One credit hour. One hour of lecture per week.

Discussion of recent works in marine phycology and topics related to student research problems.

CMOB 8705. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN EXPERIMENTAL MARINE PHYCOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Project specifically related to experimental research on marine algae. The presentation of an independent research project is required.

CMOB 8707. CURRENT TOPICS IN PHYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH (II) (On demand). Two credit hours. One hour of lecture and one hour of seminar per week. Prerequisite: CMOB 5016 or CMOB 8679.

Advanced topics in phycology; classical and current papers in phycological research; seminars on assigned topics.

CMOB 8708. CORAL REEF BIOLOGY. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Evolution, characteristics, and distribution of coral reefs. Field trips required.

CMOB 8715. ECOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN MARINE RESEARCH (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Advanced ecological concepts with special emphasis on the marine environment; energy relationships in ecological systems; application of quantitative biology and experimental methods in ecological research.

CMOB 8716. ECOLOGY OF MARINE COMMUNITIES SEMINAR (II) (On demand). Two credit hours. Two sessions per week.

Composition and quantitative structure of selected marine assemblages, and their energetic and tropic relationships.

CMOB 8745. AQUACULTURE IN THE THIRD WORLD (I, II) (On demand). Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week.

Aquaculture systems and strategies in Third World countries.

CMOB 8992. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN MARINE PHYSIOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Courses dealing with specific techniques in the laboratory related to problems in areas of osmoregulation, ionic equilibrium, and pigment physiology.

CMOB 8993. A,B,C. SPECIAL TOPICS IN AQUACULTURE (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Studies under staff supervision on projects specifically concerned with aquaculture. Topics will be selected by agreement between the student and the professor.

CMOB 8994. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN MARINE INVERTEBRATES (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Supervised study or research on specific selected aspects of marine invertebrates, or techniques pertaining to their study.

CMOB 8995. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN FISHERIES BIOLOGY (I, II). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Individual student research on the biology of commercial fish and invertebrates, and on commercial fisheries.

CMOB 8996. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN MARINE ALGAE (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Individual student research on selected problems dealing with the marine algae of Puerto Rico.

CMOB 8997. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN ICHTHYOLOGY (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Individual student research on marine fishes.

MARINE SCIENCES CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (CMOQ)

Graduate Courses

CMOQ 6615. CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (II). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

General survey of chemical oceanography, including application of basic concepts of physical and analytical chemistry to the marine environments, chemical interactions of major and minor constituents of seawater, the influence of chemical processes on physical, biological, and geological processes.

CMOQ 6617. MARINE POLLUTION (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: CMOQ 6615 or CIMA 6615.

Deleterious effects on living resources, human health, marine activities, and water quality caused by the anthropogenic introduction of substances or energy into the marine environment.

CMOQ 8616. OCEANOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES (I). Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and one six-hour laboratory period per week; also a three days duration training cruise. Pre-requisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Training in the use of standard shipboard and laboratory techniques in physical, chemical, geological and biological oceanography. Planning and execution of a trip on a cruise. Data collection, processing and analysis.

CMOQ 8638. CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY LABORATORY (I). Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week.

Laboratory experience in techniques of sampling and handling of marine samples, and the analyses of these samples for major, minor and trace constituents.

CMOQ 8991. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Laboratory studies of specific problems in chemical oceanography. Topics to be chosen by the student and approved by the professor.

MARINE SCIENCES GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (CMOG)

Graduate Courses

CMOG 6616. GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (II). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. For students not majoring in Geological Oceanography.

A review of the basic concepts of geology; geomorphology and structure of the ocean basins and continental shelves; techniques of marine exploration and research; study of the tectonic theories on the origin of marine basins and structural processes; the distribution of sediments, and marine sedimentary processes.

CMOG 8606. COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

The origin of coastal features and their relationships with shore problems relative to the basic sciences; presentation of the forces that modify the shores. Discussion and field trips.

CMOG 8618. MARINE GEOLOGY OF THE CARIBBEAN (I, II) (On demand). Four credit hours. Two hours of lecture and two three-hour laboratory periods per week. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours in Geology.

Synthesis and analysis of the marine geology of the Caribbean, using published data and cruise information; survey of our present knowledge of bathymetry, and of the structure, sediments and stratigraphy of the Caribbean.

CMOG 8655. MARINE BIOGEOGRAPHY (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

The origin, speciation and distribution of marine plants and animals in relation to the physical, chemical and physiological aspects of the ocean, with special emphasis on tropical biota.

CMOG 8675. ADVANCED GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

A comprehensive review of the geomorphology and structure of the ocean basins; analysis of tectonic theories and structural processes operating in the marine environment; distribution of marine sediments.

CMOG 8698. BIOGEOLOGY SEMINAR (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three one-hour sessions per week.

Introduction to the problems of bita-sediment interaction; influence of biological factors on geological processes. Guest lecturers will be invited. Each student will be required to make an oral presentation of at least one topic during the semester.

CMOG 8706. STRUCTURE OF CORAL REEF. Three credit hours. One hour of lecture and two three-hour laboratories per week.

Structure, development, and methods of study of coral reefs. Field trips required.

CMOG 8717. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN MARINE GEOLOGY (II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Supervised study or research on specific aspects in marine geology.

MARINE SCIENCES PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (CMOF)

Advanced Undergraduate Courses

CMOF 5005. COASTAL STRUCTURES. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Types of coastal structures; their purpose, design, construction, and environmental impact.

Graduate Courses

CMOF 6005. METHODS OF OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA ANALYSIS (II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Oceanographic data analysis emphasizing computer techniques: exploratory data analysis, regression analysis, scalar and vector spectral analysis, maximum entropy spectral analysis, empirical orthogonal eigen functions, filters, complex demodulation.

CMOF 6006. ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TURBULENCE (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Fundamental concepts of turbulence and their application to the study of geophysical fluids.

CMOF 6617. PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (I). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

General introduction to the study of physical processes in the sea; physical properties of sea water, heat budget, water budget, temperature-salinity relationships, light in the sea, equations of motion, vertical stability, Coriolis effect geostrophic motion, general oceanic circulation, waves and tides.

CMOF 6631-6632. GEOPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS I-II. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week each semester. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

The dynamics of large-scale motions in the ocean and the atmosphere. Theories of stratified fluids in rotation and of geophysical waves.

CMOF 6665. MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF MARINE SYSTEMS. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Theory and practice of the modeling of biological, chemical, and physical marine systems, emphasizing multidisciplinary ecological problems. Programming skills required.

CMOF 6667. MECHANICS OF COASTAL SEDIMENT TRANSPORT. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Development of mathematical models to represent coastal sediment transport.

CMOF 8607. ESTUARINE CIRCULATION (I) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: CMOF 6617.

Definition, classification, and description of estuaries; estuarine circulation patterns; physical oceanography of adjacent waters; the dynamics of circulation and its relation to the environment.

CMOF 8619. COASTAL OCEANOGRAPHY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Interactions between long and short period waves and the shore; tides, storm surges, seiches, shoaling wave theories, wave refraction and diffraction, breakers, run-up, longshore currents, near shore sediment transportation, foreshore processes.

CMOF 8625. DYNAMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Introduction to the dynamical processes in the sea; geopotential axes, Lagrangian and Eulerian Kinematics, Eulerian expansion, equation of continuity, circulation and vorticity. Navier-Stokes equations, vertical stability, inertial motion, Coriolis effect, geostrophic motion, diffusion and turbulent processes, Ekman motion, small amplitude wave theory, open and closed basin resonance.

CMOF 8659. COMPUTER MODELING IN OCEANOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY (I, II) (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Finite difference methods for the solution of the hydrodynamic equations that appear in numerical models of the atmosphere and the ocean, emphasizing the solution of the linear and non-linear advection equation, numerical filtering techniques, and mesh systems.

CMOF 8669. PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY LABORATORY (II) (On demand). One credit hour. One three-hour laboratory per week.

Map projections, use of charts and oceanographic atlases, preparation of diagrams, instrumentation at sea and ashore; observation aboard an oceanographic vessel.

CMOF 8990. A,B,C. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (I, II) (On demand). One to three credit hours. One to three sessions per week.

Selected topics in physical oceanography.

MARINE SCIENCES FACULTY

The following is a list of professors engaged in academic activities in the Department, including the highest earned degree, date, and institution granting the degree. Research and teaching interests are also included.

DALLAS E. ALSTON, Professor, Ph.D., 1978, Auburn University. Research and Teaching interests: Invertebrate Aquaculture.

NILDA E. APONTE, Professor, Ph.D., 1990, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Research and Teaching interests: Marine Botany; Taxonomy, Morphology and Life History of Marine Algae.

RICHARD S. APPELDOORN, Professor, Ph.D., 1980, University of Rhode Island. Research and Teaching interests: Fisheries Biology.

ROY ARMSTRONG, Professor, Ph.D., 1990, University of Puerto Rico. Research and Teaching interests: Remote Sensing and Water Optics.

DAVID L. BALLANTINE, Professor, Ph.D., 1977, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Research and Teaching interests: Marine Botany; Taxonomy and Ecology of Marine Algae.

JORGE E. CORREDOR, Professor, Ph.D., 1978, University of Miami. Research and Teaching interests: Chemical Oceanography, Pollution, Marine Chemistry.

JORGE R. GARCÍA-SAIS, Associate Researcher, Ph.D., 1992, University of Rhode Island. Research and Teaching interests: Zooplankton Ecology.

DANNIE A. HENSLEY, Professor, Ph.D., 1978, University of South Florida. Research and Teaching interests: Ichthyology Systematics and Ecology of Fishes, Fish Biogeography.

JOHN M. KUBARYK, Professor, Ph.D., 1980, Auburn University. Research and Teaching interests: Seafood Technology, Aquaculture.

JOSÉ M. LÓPEZ-DÍAZ, Professor, Ph.D., 1976, University of Texas. Research and Teaching interests: Water Pollution Control, Marine Ecology.

AURELIO MERCADO-IRIZARRY, Professor, M.S., 1973, University of Miami. Research and Teaching interests: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Physical Oceanography.

JULIO MORELL, Associate Researcher, M.S., 1983, University of Puerto Rico. Research interests: Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry.

GOVIND NADATHUR, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1982, Gujarat University of India. Research and Teaching interests: Microbiology, Genetics and Biotechnology of Marine Organisms.

ERNESTO OTERO-MORALES, Associate Researcher, Ph.D., 1998, University of Georgia. Research interests: Microbial Biogeochemistry, Microbial Ecology, Biogeochemistry.

NIKOLAOS SCHIZAS, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1999, University of South Carolina. Research and Teaching interests: Evolution of Marine Invertebrates.

WILFORD E. SCHMIDTH, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 2003, University of California, San Diego.

CLARK E. SHERMAN, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 2000, University of Hawaii. Research and Teaching interests: Marine Geology, Carbonite Sedimentology, Coral Reefs, Quatermary Geology.

ERNESTO WEIL, Professor, Ph.D., 1992, University of Texas at Austin. Research and Teaching interests: Coral Systematics, Ecology, and Evolution, Coral Reef Ecology.

ERNEST H. WILLIAMS, Professor, Ph.D., 1974, Auburn University. Research and Teaching interests: Systematics and Culture of Parasites of Fishes.

AMOS WINTER, Professor, Ph.D., 1981, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Research and Teaching interests: Paleoceanography, Marine Geology.

PAUL YOSHIOKA, Professor, Ph.D., 1973, University of California, San Diego. Research and Teaching interests: Marine Ecology, Marine Population dynamics.

BAQAR R. ZAIDI, Researcher, Ph.D., 1983, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Research interest: Marine Physiology, Microbial Ecology.

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