Marine Studies

Underwater ocean photograph of fish and reef.

Marine studies is the interdisciplinary study of the oceans and the life in and dependent on them. The Marine Studies Program offers courses in marine biology, oceanography, and field studies. Marine scientists study interactions between the oceans and the life within as well as interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, and land. Marine studies laboratory courses offer students the opportunity to interact with living organisms, explore marine-related resources, and apply their knowledge through practical field sampling activities at local beaches.

Courses in the Marine Studies Program may be applied as general education credits in science or towards the AS in Coastal Environmental Studies. Students should consult with a counselor and refer to assist.org to see how marine studies courses will best suit their academic needs.

Come get your feet wet in Marine Studies.

MST R100 Marine Biology 3 Units

In-Class Hours: 52.5 lecture

Advisories/Rec Prep: Eligibility for ENGL R101

This course provides an introduction to the diversity of marine organisms and the physical and biological processes that influence their life history, behavior, distribution, and anatomical structure. Topics also address the interactions of these organisms and processes in a variety of habitats, marine ecology, and marine conservation.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded

Field Trips: May be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: A1

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: B2

IGETC: 5B

MST R100L Marine Biology Laboratory 1 Unit

In-Class Hours: 52.5 laboratory

Prerequisites: BIOL R100 or concurrent enrollment

Advisories/Rec Prep: Eligibility for ENGL R101

This laboratory course provides an introduction to the diversity of marine organisms and the physical and biological processes that influence their structure, life history, and behavior.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded

Field Trips: May be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: A1

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: B3

IGETC: 5C

MST R103 Introduction to Oceanography 3 Units

In-Class Hours: 52.5 lecture

This course is a broad survey of the field of oceanography. Topics include geology and geography of the ocean basins and coastlines, plate tectonics, waves, currents, tides, properties of seawater, methods of oceanographic exploration, and an introduction to Marine Biology.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded

Field Trips: May be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: A2

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: B1

IGETC: 5A

MST R103L Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory 1 Unit

In-Class Hours: 52.5 laboratory

Prerequisites: GEOL R103 or MST R103 or concurrent enrollment

This course is the laboratory to accompany GEOL R103. Topics include introduction to ocean/atmosphere relationships, interpretation of bathymetric maps, applied methods of measurement, and descriptive analysis of the physical ocean, including beaches, ocean currents, waves, and water properties.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded

Field Trips: May be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: A2

Transfer Credit: CSU, UC

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: B3

IGETC: 5C

MST R170 Biological Marine Resource Management 1 Unit

In-Class Hours: 52.5 laboratory

Corequisites: GEOL R178 or MST R178

This field course is an introduction to topics in marine biology related to current resource management issues in this region. Trips to natural areas where biological, geological, and oceanographic resources can be observed will be combined with related information about resource management at the federal, state, and local levels.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded, Student Option- Letter/Credit, Pass/No Pass Grading

Field Trips: Will be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: None

Transfer Credit: CSU

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: None

IGETC: None

MST R178 Geological Marine Resources 1 Unit

In-Class Hours: 52.5 laboratory

Corequisites: MST R170 or BIOL R170

This field course is an introduction to topics in marine geology related to current resource management issues in this region. Trips to areas where geological, biological, and oceanographic resources can be observed will be combined with related information about resource management and the requirements and applications of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to marine resource management.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded, Student Option- Letter/Credit, Pass/No Pass Grading

Field Trips: Will be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: None

Transfer Credit: CSU

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: None

IGETC: None

MST R199 Directed Studies in Marine-Related Topics 1-3 Units

In-Class Hours: 52.5-157.5 laboratory

Prerequisites: BIOL R100 and BIOL R100L; or, BIOL R101 or BIOL R101H and BIOL R101L; or, BIOL R120 and BIOL R120L; or, BIOL R122 and BIOL R122L; or ESRM R100 and ESRM R100L; or GEOL R103 and GEOL R103L; or, MICR R100 and MICR R100L; or, MST R100 and MST R100L; or, MST R103 and MST R103L

This course is designed to prepare students with existing background knowledge of marine systems for further studies in Marine Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to conduct a research project on an ocean related topic including its habitats, resources, or interactions with terrestrial and atmospheric systems. Project findings will be presented in scientific poster format, video, protocol or research publication.

Grade Modes: Letter Graded

Field Trips: May be required

Degree Applicability: Applies to Associate Degree

AA/AS GE: None

Transfer Credit: CSU

UC Credit Limitations: None

CSU GE-Breadth: None

IGETC: None

2024-2025
Academic Catalog

Marine Studies

Marine Studies

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