Marine Science Resources: Get Connected!
Courses | Faculty | Minor | Study Abroad | Science Diving
Courses
BIOL 482: Coastal Biology - Marine organisms, their interactions with each other, and their relationships with several coastal habitats.
Prerequisite: BIOL 220W
BIOL 417: Invertebrate Zoology - Function and form of major invertebrate phyla.
BIOL 450W: Experimental Field Biology - A practical introduction to modern experimental techniques for ecological study of terrestrial, marine, and fresh water habitats.
BIOL 499A: Tropical Field Ecology - An intensive introduction to tropical biodiversity to be taught in Belize, Central America.
EARTH 240: Coral Reef Systems - The geography, geology, and chemistry of coral reef ecosystems; threats to reef environments; and techniques for reef surveying and monitoring. Field trips have previously gone to the Bahamas, but may be going to Curacao for upcoming classes.
EM SC 440: Science Diving - Advanced scuba diving skills applied to underwater research.
AAUS requires: 120 hours of classroom and pool training beyond Advanced Certification. Minimum of 5-6 dives beyond basic course training.
Science Diving(Fall) This spring, the fall course will be taught. Advanced cert training, rescue diving, nitrox (different gas mixtures with elevated oxygen content), deep diving. DAN: hazardous marine life, on site neurological assessment, how to use oxygen, and how to use defibrillators. Purpose: to become comfortable underwater.
Science Diving (Spring) Advanced Science Diving. Pool sessions and lecture series on the applications of science diving. Faculty researchers come in, and give students a well rounded overview of science that may be accomplished underwater.
GEOSC 040: The Sea Around Us - Introduction to marine sciences and the world ocean, including physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of oceanography.
GEOSC 410: Marine Biogeochemistry - Exploration of the ways in which life influences and is influenced by chemical, physical, and geological processes in the ocean.
GEOSC 419: The Organic Geochemistry of Natural Waters and Sediments - Composition, sources, and fates of particulate and dissolved organic matter in natural environments; biogeochemical processes; organic geochemistry of anthropogenic contaminants.
GEOSC 440: Marine Geology - Chemical and physical processes affecting the topography and sediments of the sea floor.
METEO 022: The Oceans - A survey of oceanic properties and processes, with emphasis on the mechanisms of tides, waves, and ocean currents.
METEO 451: Introduction to Physical Oceanography - Air-sea interaction, wind-driven and thermohaline circulations, upwelling, El Nino, waves, and tides.
W F S 435: Limnology - Biogeochemistry and natural history of freshwater ecosystems.
To enroll in these courses, please contact Tim White (tsw113@psu.edu)
Tim White is a Professor of Geosciences, director of the Science Diving program at Penn state. Tim oversees all non-recreational diving, Research, and education underwater here at Penn State!
Faculty
- Michael Arthur, Geosciences (arthur@geosc.psu.edu)paleoceanography; marine biogeochemistry; isotope geochemistry
- Iliana Baums, Biology (baums@psu.edu)coral reef biology; coral diseases
- Kyle M Becker, Acoustics (kmbecker@psu.edu)ocean acoustics; geoacoustic inverse problems; effects of ocean variability on sound propagation
- Tim Bralower, Geosciences (bralower@geosc.psu.edu)paleoceanography; paleoclimatology; nanofossil evolution
- Hunter Carrick, Forest Resources (hjc11@psu.edu)aquatic ecosystems ecology; limnology; ecology and taxonomy of microbes (bacteria, algae, protozoa); biostatistics
- Charles Fisher, Biology (cfisher@psu.edu)deep-sea vent biology; autotrophic symbiosis
- Katherine Freeman, Geosciences (kate@essc.psu.edu)marine organic geochemistry; isotope biogeochemistry
- Charles Holland, Acoustics - ARL (holland@psu.edu)acoustical oceanography, remote sensing of marine sediments
- Chris House, Geosciences (chouse@geosc.psu.edu)marine microbial diversity and cultivation; microbial paleontology; molecular evolution; astrobiology; geomicrobiology
- Klaus Keller, Geosciences (kkeller@geosc.psu.edu)marine phytoplankton carbon metabolism; global carbon cycle; abrupt climate change; environmental economics
- Lee Kump, Geosciences (lkump@geosc.psu.edu)marine biogeochemistry; paleoceanography; global biogeochemical cycles
- Todd LaJeunesse, Biology (tcl3@psu.edu)coral symbioses; microbial ecology and evolution; biogeography and biodiversity
- Sukyoung Lee, Meteorology (sl@meteo.psu.edu)wind-driven and thermohaline ocean circulation; general circulation of the atmosphere
- Jennifer Miksis-Olds, Acoustics - ARL (jlm91@psu.edu)marine animal bioacoustics; marine mammal behavior and communication; fisheries acoustics; effects of sound on marine animals
- Ray Najjar, Meteorology (najjar@meteo.psu.edu)marine biogeochemical cycles and climate; paleoceanography; numerical modeling
- Susan E Parks, Acoustics - ARL (sep20@psu.edu)marine mammal behavior, bioacoustics, impacts of noise on animal communication
- Demian Saffer, Geosciences (dsaffer@geosc.psu.edu)fluid flow in subduction zones; sediment mechanics; chemical and heat transport in the crust
- Rudy Slingerland, Geosciences (sling@geosc.psu.edu)marine and fluvial sedimentology; numerical modeling
Marine Sciences Minor
If you are interested in pursuing oceanography, then the Marine Sciences Minor may be an exciting program. The minor can be satisfied with 19 credits of marine science courses at University Park, or by studying abroad at the National Oceanographic Centre in the United Kingdom.
The minor will help you make informed decisions about pursuing an advanced degree in the marine sciences.
View the Program Bulletin, and contact Lee Kump for more information.
Study Abroad
Complete the Marine Science Minor requirements in England at the University of Southampton's National Oceanography Centre. Click here for a description of the Department of Marine Science and Engineering: Southampton exchange program.
During your time in the spring semester at Southampton, you will have access to the RV Callista for shipboard oceanographic research. After completing coursework with British students, your semester will culminate with a two-week oceanographic field course based from the historic maritime town of Falmouth.
Contact Lee Kump for more information.
RV Callista at the University of Southampton
Science Diving
Join the Penn State Science Diving Program to begin an intensive training program that qualifies you for scientific SCUBA diving opportunities such as the Reef Check survey of coral health in the Bahamas, underwater paleontology in Florida, and other exciting projects.
Science diving courses will prepare you for NAUI certificates and introduce you to the skills required to perform SCUBA dives safely while doing science.
Contact the Science Diving Chair, Lee Kump, or the Dive Safety Officer, Tim White, for more information.