Marine Science 460

Marine Science 460 is a required class for all Marine Science majors that is taught in residence at the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory.

The overall goal of this course is to provide students with hands-on technical and field training necessary to conduct and critically evaluate marine science research. The course is conducted in residence at the Belle W. Baruch Marine Field Lab in Georgetown, SC during Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Students are advised to enroll in MSCI 460 following the completion of the prerequisite course, MSCI 102. However, this course has an instructor override and priority is given to graduating Seniors. Fall and Spring semester have required pre-scheduled weekend trips. Make sure you can accommodate for these weekends, in advance, before enrolling. These weekends are posted with the course on the master schedule, however alternative weekends may be required due to inclement weather.

1) Talk to your advisor in the Spring semester of your Sophomore year to plan out when to take this course.
2) Contact the MSCI Lab Manager, labmanager@seoe.sc.edu, to add your name to course list. Provide your name, USC ID#, the semester you are intending to enroll (Fall, Spring or Maymester) and when you are planning to graduate.

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Goals and Learning Outcomes:

Perform specific standard methods common to marine science research
Acquire good habits in field and laboratory practices.
Combine field sampling with laboratory measurements of collected samples using modern analytical instrumentation, with analysis and integration of data
Create experiments, execute methods, present the data, and interpret results.
Identify and understand the ecology, behavior, and life histories of common coastal and estuarine organisms
Gain connections between the knowledge and concepts of marine science and methods used to collect the data

Students are advised to enroll in MSCI 460 anytime after their first year in the degree program. However, students may enroll anytime following the completion of the prerequisite courses. This course has an instructor override Note: Priority is given to graduating Seniors. Fall and Spring semester have required weekend trips. Make sure you can accommodate for these weekends in advance before enrolling. These weekends are posted with the course on the master schedule, however alternative weekends may be required due to inclement weather. 1) Talk to your advisor in the Spring semester of your first year to plan out when to take this course.2) Contact the MSCI Lab Manager, labmanager@seoe.sc.edu, to add your name to course list. Provide your name, USC ID#, the semester you are intending to enroll (Fall, Spring or Maymester) and when you are planning to graduate.

Transportation is provided by the University. A 15-passenger van will be available for students to commute from the USC campus to the BMFL campus. The van will be driven by a Graduate Instructional Assistant with driving certification and assigned as an assistant to the course. Students will leave from campus. Students may opt out of the provided transportation and bring their personal vehicles if they have prior approval and completed the required paperwork.

Fall/Spring/Summer Course Fees:

USC Lab Fee (Arts and Sciences Dept Fee)*

Dorm and Boat rental: $300

Summer (Maymester) Course Prices also include:

USC Resident (or Non-resident) Tuition for 2 credit hours*

USC Technology fee*

*Check with the Bursar’s Office for current USC tuition and fees.

Baruch Institute