| Please Note: The official catalog of the Oceanographic Center is the governing document for all program-related information. Consequently, if there is any conflict between the information contained online and that contained in the catalog, the information in the catalog prevails. |
|
NSU Oceanographic Center Catalog (Prior to 2007) (1.6Mb)
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NSU Oceanographic Center Graduate Program
2007
Table of Contents
1.0 Oceanographic Center Overview
1.1. Oceanographic Center Mission Statement
1.5.1. Laboratories and Offices
1.6.1. National Coral Reef Institute
1.6.2 Guy Harvey Research Institute
1.6.3. Institute of Marine and Coastal Studies
3.0 Graduate Educational Programs
3.3.1. Transfer of Credits to Oceanography
3.3.2. Transfer of Credits from Oceanography
3.5. Tuition, Fees, Withdrawal, Leaves of Absence
3.6 Academic Activities and Approvals
3.8.5. Rough Drafts - Committee Inspection of Capstones
and Theses
3.8.6 Defense of Capstone and Thesis
3.9.1. General and Credit-Hour Requirements
3.9.2. Academic Activities and Approvals
3.9.6. Comprehensive Examination
3.9.8 Final Submission of Dissertation
3.9.10. PhD Course Descriptions
3.10.1 Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies
3.10.2. MS in Coastal Zone Management– Distance
Education
4.0.5. Student Grade Transmittal
4.0.6. Grade Appeal/Grievance Procedure
The mission of the Oceanographic Center is to carry out innovative,
basic, and applied research and to provide high-quality graduate and
undergraduate education in a broad range of marine-science and related
disciplines. The Center also serves as a
community resource for information, research, and education on oceanographic
and environmental issues.
The
The
The
The Center is composed of three buildings and two modulars. The main 2-story building houses 7 laboratories, a conference room, a workroom, and 13 offices. A second building contains a large 2-story warehouse and staging area, 2 classrooms, biology laboratory, electron microscopy laboratory, darkroom, machine shop, electronics laboratory, library, student computer lab/computing center, and 15 offices. A one-story building contains a wetlab/classroom, coral workshop, and an X-ray facility. A modular laboratory is used for aquaculture studies. A large modular provides a union area, a classroom/conference room, and student/staff offices.
The William S.
Richardson Library at
The library has 100 current subscriptions to journals and over 3000 books and
monographs that can be found in the Online Catalog. Databases include ASFA
(Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts), Science Direct (full-text Elsevier
Journals) and Web of Knowledge, among others. These can be accessed through
NSU's Electronic Library. Interlibrary loan
service is available for receiving books and/or copies of journal articles from
other libraries around the country.
The librarian is a member of the
International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and
Information Centers (IAMSLIC), and SAIL, its regional branch.
For faculty and student computing,
the
The Center is linked to the Internet
and NSU main campus via a T-1 network link. A wireless network allows indoor
and outdoor access to the Internet from any location at the Center.
The center's Web site is located at http://www.nova.edu/ocean.
The National Coral Reef Institute
(NCRI) was established by Congressional mandate in 1998. The Institute’s
primary objective is the assessment, monitoring, and restoration of coral reefs
through basic and applied research and through training and education. NCRI
operates at the
NCRI's mission is to identify gaps
and constraints in scientific knowledge of reef structure and function as it
relates to issues of assessment, monitoring, and restoration. Through active
research and collaborative funding, NCRI undertakes and facilitates
hypothesis-based scientific research in emerging reef issues and technologies.
NCRI provides scientific synthesis and evaluation criteria of existing programs
for use by the research and management community. These include the study of
minimally impacted, stressed, and imminently threatened and endangered reefs.
Assessing and monitoring biodiversity is a priority, especially as it affects
and interacts with ecological processes, overall reef function, reef recovery,
and restoration. NCRI's primary capability is that of offering a strong
scientific focus as well as innovative approaches to relevant scientific issues
in all aspects of coral reef biology.
More information about NCRI can be
found at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ncri.
The Guy Harvey
Research Institute (GHRI) is a scientific research organization based at the
The Guy Harvey Research Institute
(GHRI) conducts high quality, solution-oriented, basic and applied scientific
research needed for effective conservation, biodiversity maintenance,
restoration, and understanding of the world's wild fishes. The GHRI also
provides advanced scientific training to
More information
about GHRI can be found at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ghri.
The
Institute of Marine and Coastal Studies (IMCS) is the academic arm of the
Oceanographic Center and is headed by the Director of Academic Programs. All
certificate and degree programs offered by the
The
Information about the faculty
including their background, the courses they teach, and their research
interests, as well as links to their specific web sites, can be found at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/profiles/index.html. Information about staff and their
positions is also located there.
The Oceanographic
Center offers a doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in Oceanography (with emphasis on
Marine Biology or Physical Oceanography) and master’s (M.S.) degrees in Marine
Biology, Coastal Zone Management (online or onsite), Marine Environmental
Sciences, and Physical Oceanography. Joint M.S. degrees can be obtained in
Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management; Marine Biology and Marine
Environmental Sciences; Marine Biology and Physical
Oceanography;
and Coastal Zone Management and Marine Environmental sciences. A non-degree distance Graduate Certificate is
offered in Coastal Studies. More information about the certificate can be found
in the Distance Education section (3.10).
This catalog provides
guidelines and rules to assist the student in fulfilling the academic
requirements of the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. M.S. majors and the Ph.D. course of
study contain a common core of five courses (Physical Oceanography, Marine
Ecosystems, Marine Geology, Marine Chemistry, and Biostatistics) that provides
an overview and foundation in the ocean sciences. Specialty and tutorial
courses provide depth in each program. The
For graduation,
students must fulfill the curriculum and course-load requirements of the
catalog in effect at their initial registration or that of any later-edition
catalog. Other than curriculum and course-load, graduate students are
responsible for requirements set forth in the most recent edition of this
catalog, unless exceptions are specifically (and individually) approved by the
program administration. Updates may be issued at the
For the M.S. program each class meets typically one evening per week in a three-hour session. However, some courses are offered in day, weekend, compressed, and online formats. Thesis and non-thesis (capstone review) tracks are offered in all M.S. majors.
For completion of
the M.S. degree, students must submit either a capstone review paper or a
research thesis. A capstone review paper is a scholarly manuscript, based upon
a comprehensive literature search and communication with researchers actively involved
in the chosen topic. A thesis is an original contribution to knowledge
resulting from the systematic study of a significant problem or issue. All
entering students are automatically accepted in the capstone track option. Carrying out either a thesis or capstone
track is possible only after agreement with a major professor, and completion
of an approved proposal. This proposal must be approved by the student’s
committee and the Director of Academic Programs, and be submitted to the
Departmental Administrator in the Program Office before the student can
register for thesis or capstone credits.
For further details, students are referred to section 3.8 of this
catalog and to the online guidelines for the capstone or thesis track found on
the Oceanographic Center Student Information page at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/student_information.html.
The capstone track requires a minimum of 45 credits, including five 3-credit core classes, eight 3-credit specialty courses and a 6-credit capstone review paper consisting of an extended literature review of an approved subject. Once a student starts registering for capstone credits, they cannot stop registering for credits until the capstone is completed and defended. The completed capstone paper is presented in an open defense that includes the student’s advisory committee.
The thesis track requires a minimum of 39 credits, including five 3-credit core classes, five 3-credit specialty courses and at least nine credits of master’s thesis research. The number of thesis research credits above the minimum is dependent upon the length of time needed to complete the thesis research, which may be more than the minimum three terms. The final thesis is formally defended in an open defense that includes the student’s advisory committee.
Students in the single major track are allowed to take up to two elective courses outside their degree orientation and have them count towards their final credit count.
The joint specialization M.S. degrees require a minimum of 57 course credits (19 courses) or 51 course credits (17 courses) (for capstone review or thesis paper respectively) including nine credits minimum thesis research or the six credits for the capstone review paper. For the joint programs, students take approximately equal numbers of courses within each of the two specialties. The final thesis is formally defended in an open defense that includes the student’s committee.
For both the capstone and the thesis degree tracks, once the proposal has been accepted, enrollment in the chosen track must continue until completion of the degree.
The Ph.D. degree requires a
minimum of 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate. At least 48 credits must
consist of dissertation research. At least 42 credits must be in upper-level
course work, which usually consists of tutorial studies with the major
professor. The student also must successfully defend a dissertation proposal,
complete the Ph.D. comprehensive examination, and defend the completed
dissertation before the committee. The
As part of the core curriculum, all students, (M.S. and Ph.D.), must also complete a 0-credit/0-cost seminar series to graduate and are required to attend a minimum of 8 seminars. Distance students can fulfill this requirement through online conferencing tools (e.g., Elluminate, Wimba, compressed video).
Although not required, it is highly recommended that all students take one or more field courses at the first available opportunity. This provides the student a bonding experience with peers and a heightened sense of community that, in turn, enhances the entire educational experience.
This course of study is designed to equip students with a substantial understanding of the nature and ecology of marine life and provide grounding in other overlapping areas of marine science. Program flexibility provides preparation for further graduate study, secondary education career enhancement, or employment in technical research institutions, government agencies, or environmental consulting firms. Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in biology, oceanography, or a closely related field, including science education.
Expected
program outcomes are:
·
Students
will achieve and maintain a high cumulative grade point average (GPA ≥
3.0) from course grades earned throughout the program.
·
The
combination of courses comprising the degree ensures that students acquire and
demonstrate
°
effective
communication skills
°
a
full understanding of the scientific method
°
competency
in geological and chemical concepts as they relate to marine biota
°
an
understanding of the taxonomy, natural history, and ecology of marine organisms
°
in-depth
knowledge of a specific aspect of marine biology
·
Completion
of the degree is expected to lead to: placements in the chosen field, in a
position requiring graduate training; career advancement in the case of working
professionals; and/or advanced graduate training (Ph.D.).
·
Students
are expected to complete the degree within 2 years of full-time study, and
within 5 years of part-time study.
This program leads to a multidisciplinary professional M.S. degree, intended for employees of government and industry seeking career enhancement as well as for recent college graduates seeking careers in planning and management with governmental agencies, industries, and other activities depending on or affecting the coastal zone or its resources. The program also can be of value for enhancement of careers in education. It focuses on contemporary problems and conflicts arising from increased use of coastal areas, and emphasizes the evaluation of alternative policy management solutions. Coastal studies combine elements of ecology, geology, physics, engineering, economics, law, the social sciences, and management. Because of this diversity, applicants with any undergraduate major will be considered for admission. However, a science major is most useful. Some science background including general biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry is essential. The M.S. in Coastal Zone Management is offered in both in-house and distance study format.
Expected
program outcomes are:
·
Students
will achieve and maintain a high cumulative grade point average (GPA ≥
3.0) from course grades earned throughout the program.
·
The
combination of courses comprising the degree ensures that students acquire and
demonstrate
°
effective
communication skills
°
a
full understanding of the scientific method
°
competency
in ecological, geological, chemical and biological concepts, as they relate to
resource management in the coastal zone
°
an
understanding of coastal zone processes
°
familiarity
with current management problems and approaches to their solution
°
in-depth
knowledge of a specific aspect of coastal zone management
·
Completion
of the degree is expected to lead to: placements in the chosen field, in a
position requiring graduate training; career advancement in the case of working
professionals; and/or advanced graduate training (Ph.D.).
·
Students
are expected to complete the degree within 2 years of full-time study, and
within 5 years of part-time study.
This master's degree program results from the need to educate professionals beyond the bachelor's degree in a synthesis of diverse disciplines, each of which views the marine environment in disparate ways. It is important to differentiate the Marine Environmental Sciences M.S. Program from the Coastal Zone Management M.S. Program. The MEVS is a more broadly based degree without the in-depth management emphasis of CZMT. The MEVS is not designed as an intermediate degree for the Ph.D., although some MEVS graduates will be well prepared for, and may later apply to, a Ph.D. program either at the Oceanographic Center or elsewhere. Students who complete the MEVS Program typically directly enter, or re-enter, the work force. Graduates can find employment in environmentally oriented agencies/organizations and the program is of value for prospective or actual employees of government and industry seeking to advance careers in marine-related areas. Because of this diversity, applicants with any undergraduate major will be considered for admission. However, a science major is most useful.
Expected
program outcomes are:
·
Students
will achieve and maintain a high cumulative grade point average (GPA ≥
3.0) from course grades earned throughout the program.
·
The
combination of courses comprising the degree ensures that students acquire and
demonstrate
°
effective
communication skills
°
a
full understanding of the scientific method
°
a
generalized knowledge in ecological, geological, chemical and biological
concepts as they relate to the marine environment
°
a
generalized knowledge of the natural and human-driven problems currently
impacting, and anticipated to impact, the marine environment
°
in-depth
knowledge of a specific aspect of marine environmental sciences
·
Completion
of the degree is expected to lead to: placements in the chosen field, in a
position requiring graduate training; or to career advancement in the case of
working professionals.
·
Students
are expected to complete the degree within 2 years of full-time study, and
within 5 years of part-time study.
This course of study prepares students for careers that involve either a technical, mathematical, or computational expertise in the processes and dynamics of the oceans. As with the other M.S. programs, flexibility provides preparation for further graduate study, secondary education career enhancement, or employment in technical research institutions, government agencies, or environmental consulting firms. Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics, astronomy, engineering, oceanography, or a closely related field, including computer science. Unlike the other M.S. programs, MSPO applicants must satisfy a college level calculus requirement before formal admission to the program.
Expected program outcomes are:
·
Students will achieve and maintain a
high cumulative grade point average (GPA ≥ 3.0) from course grades earned
throughout the program.
·
The combination of courses comprising
the degree ensures that students acquire and demonstrate
°
effective communication skills
°
a full understanding of the scientific
method
°
competency in physical, mathematical,
and computational concepts as they relate to marine physics
°
an understanding of the overall
physical structure and dynamics of the world’s oceans
°
in-depth knowledge of a specific aspect
of Physical Oceanography
·
Completion of the degree is expected to
lead to: placements in the chosen field, in a position requiring graduate
training; career advancement in the case of working professionals; and/or
advanced graduate training (Ph.D.).
·
Students
are expected to complete the degree within 2 years of full-time study, and
within 5 years in the case of part-time students.
The joint M.S. degrees are combinations of essential
elements of the separate majors: Marine Biology/Coastal Zone Management, Marine
Biology/Marine Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology/Physical Oceanography, or
Coastal Zone Management/Marine Environmental Sciences. These options give
students a broader training in marine science. They do, however, require that
students take additional courses past the single M.S. program’s curriculum to
satisfy requirements of a joint M.S. degree. Students are expected to complete the degrees within
3 years of full-time study, and within 6 years in the case of part-time
students.
The Ph.D. degree consists of a program of upper-level course work and original research on a selected topic of importance in the ocean sciences. Courses consist of required general core courses as well as tutorial studies with the major professor. Ph.D. programs are informally divided into physical oceanography and marine biology.
A
successful recipient of the Ph.D. degree in Oceanography/Marine Biology is
expected to:
·
understand
basic marine biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes to a
level sufficient to communicate and collaborate with experts in those
sub-disciplines; and to be able to apply this knowledge to issues in research
and resource management
·
apply
the scientific method to define, investigate, and evaluate hypotheses in at
least one of these sub-disciplines
·
conduct
(as guided by, and to the satisfaction of, the doctoral committee and
·
communicate
scientific results and conclusions clearly and logically in a written
dissertation and in scientific presentations and publications
·
students
are expected to complete degrees within 5 years of full-time study, and within
9 years in the case of part-time students (a minimum of 3 years enrollment in
the Ph.D. program is required)
Prospective students may apply at any time during the year and, if accepted, may begin at any term during the year of acceptance or the following year.
Applications must
be submitted online at www.webstar.nova.edu. For online
directions please visit http://www.nova.edu/ocean/imcs_online_application.html.
Prospective distance students are
encouraged to visit the link at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted/prospective_students.html.
The $50 application fee
can be paid online via credit/debit card or e-check. Any additional application
materials must be completed and mailed to the following address:
Enrollment Processing Services
Attn: Oceanographic Center
It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain the supporting documents required for application.
For international
students wishing to come to the
Nova Southeastern University
Attn: Office of International
Students
3301 College
Avenue
Fort
Lauderdale, Florida 33314
http://www.nova.edu/internationalstudents/
Phone: (954)262-7241 or
1-800-541-6682 x27241 (long distance)
Email: intl@nova.edu
To complete the Center’s application, prospective students must provide
the following documents:
For Non-degree seeking
students:
·
Application (http://www.nova.edu/ocean/imcs_online_application.html)
·
$50
Application fee
For the Graduate
Certificate in Coastal Studies:
·
Application
(http://www.nova.edu/ocean/imcs_online_application.html)
·
$50
Application fee
·
Official
transcript showing baccalaureate
For M.S. degree:
·
Application (http://www.nova.edu/ocean/imcs_online_application.html)
·
$50
Application fee
·
Statement
of career goals
·
Official
transcripts of all post-secondary schooling
·
Three
letters of recommendation (on letterhead sent directly to the Center)
·
GRE
scores (general only)
For Ph.D. degree, all of the above
plus:
|
·
Statement of support from prospective advisor |
|
·
Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) |
|
·
General Research Topic |
If accepted, students are accepted in one
of three classifications: full, with academic requirement, and special status.
· Full acceptance is
awarded to students satisfying all acceptance criteria (stated below).
· Acceptance with
academic requirement is provided to students who have not satisfied all of the
criteria, but who have given evidence that they may succeed in the degree
program.
· Special student
status is reserved for non-degree-seeking students. This status does not
preclude applying for full acceptance. However, enrollment in, or satisfactory
completion of, courses while in special student status does not guarantee
admission to any program. Special students are limited to 2 classes.
When application is complete, students will be notified of the status under which they may register. For acceptance with academic requirement, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA for their first two terms or they will be removed from the program.
Table 1 lists full and academic requirement admissions/acceptance criteria for M.S. programs in Marine Biology, Coastal Zone Management, Marine Environmental Sciences, Physical Oceanography, and the joint M.S. programs. M.S. applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Applicants may be fully accepted or accepted with academic requirement only if they meet at least the minimum guidelines. For full acceptance, at least two of the three criteria (GPA, GRE, and letters) must be met satisfactorily. If applicants do not meet minimum provisional guidelines, the applications may be rejected out of hand and not circulated through the Admissions Committee.
Table 1 lists full admissions/acceptance criteria for the Ph.D. degrees in Marine Biology and Oceanography. There is no acceptance with academic requirements for the Ph.D. Ph.D. applicants must have completed an M.S., or equivalent, degree. Previous degree(s) should be in the area of mathematics for Physical Oceanography or an appropriate area of the natural sciences for Marine Biology. A master’s degree in Oceanography, Biology or Marine Biology, or a related science is preferred, especially for the biological sciences Ph.D.
Ph.D. applicants
need to obtain a written agreement from a prospective faculty member who will
serve as Major Professor and submit it with an overview of proposed
research. Students are not admitted
without prior agreement on a research topic and a Major Professor. Furthermore,
the Major Professor will need to state in writing that she/he has or will be
able to acquire sufficient funds to cover the Ph.D. student’s research expenses
for the duration of the student’s course of study at the
The application process should be
initiated online at www.webstar.nova.edu.
Submit the application package containing letters of recommendation, statement
of career goals, GRE scores, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, general research
topic, and statement of support from prospective Major Professor. This is the package
that will go to faculty. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program is effectively
provisional for all. The accepted student is a “pre-candidate” until later
defense of proposal and successful passing of Comprehensive Exams.
Table 1. Acceptance categories for
the Ph.D. and M.S. programs at the
|
Acceptance Category |
Full |
With Academic
Requirement |
|
For Ph.D. |
|
|
|
Undergraduate
Biology Major for Marine Biology |
YES |
N/A |
|
M.S. in
Field for Marine Biology Ph.D. |
Preferred |
N/A |
|
Undergraduate
Science Major for Physical Oceanography |
YES |
N/A |
|
For M.S. |
|
|
|
Undergraduate
Biology Major for MB M.S. |
YES |
Preferred |
|
A Science
Major or Concentration for CZMT M.S. |
Preferred |
Preferred |
|
A Science
Major or Concentration for MEVS M.S. |
Preferred |
Preferred |
|
For Both Ph.D. and M.S. |
|
|
|
Letters
of Recommendation |
3 |
3 |
|
Statement
of Career Goals |
YES |
YES |
|
GRE
Scores – Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing |
55%, 55%, 4.0 |
40%, 40%, 3.5 |
|
The |
||
|
All
Official Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts |
YES |
YES |
|
Undergraduate
GPA Major |
3.0 |
2.75 |
|
Undergraduate
Cumulative GPA |
2.9 |
2.5 |
|
Provisions
(> 3.0 in first four graduate courses) |
None |
YES |
|
TOEFL
(foreign applicants only) |
600 |
550 |
|
Scores
from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required for
applicants where their undergraduate language was not English. Certification
may also be submitted from other institutions’ intensive English Programs.
Information may be found at http://www.toefl.org. |
||
|
For Ph.D. only |
|
|
|
Statement
of support from prospective advisor |
YES |
N/A |
|
Curriculum
Vitae (C.V.) |
YES |
N/A |
|
General
Research Topic |
YES |
N/A |
|
|
||
Applicants for the distance Graduate
Certificate in Coastal Studies are required to have a baccalaureate (four year
degree). They must apply for the certificate at http://webstar.nova.edu and must submit an
official transcript as part of the application process.
It is the student’s responsibility to register prior to the beginning of class. First
term in-house students must register on paper with the
NOTE: NSU Full-time Employees must always
register by paper at the program office.
To reduce identity theft, NSU
has developed its own identification system for all students, faculty, and
staff. The NSU ID is a nine-character code that starts with “N” and is followed
by 8 digits. This code is created at the time of application and will remain
with a student throughout their academic career at NSU. Students who forget their NSU ID may look it
up at https://www.nova.edu/sbin/nsuidhelp.
They will need their social security number and WebStar pin; or their NSU email
name, NSU email password, and either the last 4 digits of their social security
number or the month/day of birth.
Students will need their NSU
ID to
·
access WebStar for student services, including
registration and financial aid
·
access NSU Online library resources
·
request transcripts
Protect your Identity - Keep
your NSU ID Secure
Once accepted into an OC program, students are
mailed PIN numbers. If you need to receive a PIN, or if you have misplaced your
PIN, there are two choices.
1.
Go to https://www.nova.edu/sbin/pinhelp
and enter your NSU email name, password, and the last four digits of your NSU
ID.
2.
You can contact the PIN Specialist online at https://www.nova.edu/sbin/pinhelp
or by calling (954) 262-4850 (local) or 1-800-541-6682 x24850 (long distance)
between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays or via email at pinhelp@nova.edu.
Upon acceptance, incoming students
also need to get an NSU email address. Example: janedoe@nsu.nova.edu. Please note that all official electronic mail
communications directed to NSU students, faculty, and staff members are sent
exclusively to NSU email computer account addresses. Students should use this
email address for all formal university correspondence. This is available from:
http://www.nova.edu/resources/nsuidentity.html
Students need their NSU email name
and password
For all policies related to use of
your NSU computing account, please see the NSU Student Handbook at http://www.nova.edu/cwis/studentaffairs/forms/ustudenthandbook.pdf and the NSU Policy on Acceptable
Use of Computing Resources at http://www.nova.edu/common-lib/policies.
For individual M.S. degrees (Marine Biology, Coastal
Zone Management, Marine Environmental Sciences): The (non-thesis) capstone
review requires a minimum of 45 total credits, consisting of 13 three-credit
courses (including five core (OCOR) courses), a six-credit capstone review
paper, and extra capstone review continuation credits as necessary. The thesis
track requires a minimum of 39 total credits, consisting of 10 three-credit
courses (including five core (OCOR) courses), a minimum of nine credits of
master’s thesis research, and extra thesis research credits as necessary.
For joint OCMB/CZMT, OCMB/MEVS, or CZMT/MEVS majors: The capstone review track requires a minimum of 57 total credits, consisting of five core (OCOR) courses, six courses from each of two specialties chosen from the three available, and a six-credit capstone review paper. Additional capstone review paper credits are taken as necessary. The thesis track requires a minimum total of 51 credits consisting of five core (OCOR) courses, nine (five plus four) specialty courses chosen from two of the three specialties: Marine Biology (OCMB), Coastal Zone Management (CZMT), or Marine Environmental Sciences (MEVS), and a minimum of nine thesis credits. Additional thesis credits are taken as necessary.
M.S. students may transfer up to six credits of previous graduate course work. Course work must replicate Oceanographic Center offerings in the major field of interest or must clearly be closely related. Students should submit requests for transfer credits in writing to the Program Office with documentation indicating the subject matter and that the transfer credits were of graduate level from accredited institutions. This can consist of the course syllabus, transcripts, and/or the course description from the professor.
Ph.D. students may transfer up to 30 graduate course credits from prior graduate programs in the same discipline as the Ph.D. degree aspired to. Transfer courses must be either reasonable duplicates of courses offered at NSU or clearly in the applicable Ph.D. field of interest. Students should submit requests for transfer credits in writing to the Program Office with documentation indicating the subject matter and that the transfer credits were of graduate level from accredited institutions. This can consist of the course syllabus, transcripts, and/or the course description from the professor.
Transfer acceptability for
both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs will be decided by the Director of Academic
Programs at the
The maximum time limit for completion of the M.S. program is five years for full-time students, nine years for part-time students. There is no minimum time limitation for completion of the M.S. Students must petition the program office in writing for an extension of the time limit, which may be granted only under extenuating circumstances.
Ph.D. students are expected to complete the program in nine years; a minimum of three years is required. Students must petition the program office in writing for an extension of the time limit, which may be granted only under extenuating circumstances.
Tuition and fees
are listed at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/coursepolicy.html.
Payments not made within 30 days are
charged a $50 late fee by the Bursar’s office, and a hold is placed on the
student’s account. This prevents students from registering, obtaining
transcripts and prevents conferral of degree. After 120 days, delinquent
charges are submitted to a collection agency.
M.S. students may withdraw from a course at any time before the fourth class meeting (or, in the case of distance students, before the fourth week of class) and receive a partial refund. A request for tuition refund must be made in writing at the time of withdrawal. Refunds will be made solely at the option of the university and will be based on the legitimacy of the reason for withdrawal. If granted, refunds are adjusted as follows:
|
·
Before the first class meeting/week of class |
100% |
|
·
Before the second class meeting/week of class |
75% |
|
·
Before the third class meeting/week of class |
50% |
|
·
Before the fourth class meeting/week of class |
25% |
|
·
Thereafter |
0% |
Refunds are not granted to Ph.D. students upon withdrawal.
A leave
of absence may be granted in all OC programs, see below. However, it is clearly
understood that during a leave the student is neither working on a research or
review project nor is in communication with their advisor on academic subjects.
Note: Unregistered students lose their online library privileges, including
database searches and interlibrary loan.
Students not registered for 6 months will automatically lose their email
account.
Students do not have to register for course work sequentially in each subsequent term. If a student anticipates a hiatus of one term or longer between registrations for course work, the program office should be notified. Note, however, that once a student has formally registered for credits towards their capstone review paper or thesis, continuous registration each term for a minimum of three credits is required. Failure to register for capstone or thesis credits during a given term without an approved leave of absence is not permitted and may signal a student’s withdrawal from the degree program.
A leave of absence for
one or more terms may be granted under special circumstances if a student must
interrupt thesis research or capstone review paper studies. The leave request
must be submitted in writing and approved in writing. It is granted at the
discretion of the Director of Academic Programs. Reentry into the M.S. program
after a leave of absence should be requested in writing and is not guaranteed.
Students
are expected to register for course or thesis work sequentially in each subsequent
term. A leave of absence for one or more terms may be granted under special
circumstances if a student must interrupt dissertation research. The leave
request must be submitted in writing and approved in writing. It is granted at
the discretion of the Director of Academic Programs. Reentry into the Ph.D.
program after a leave of absence should be requested in writing and is not
guaranteed.
Students should consult their (thesis/capstone) advisors or program administration for questions about their M.S. or Ph.D. program.
A mandatory orientation session is held every fall for incoming in-house students and may be held at other times for groups of incoming students to inform them about center facilities and M.S. program requirements. It is recommended that in-house students not starting in the fall meet with the Director of Academic Programs during their first term. Distance students are welcome but not obliged to attend place-based orientation sessions.
If a student has a documented disability, they should
contact The Office of Student Disability Services on the main campus. It is the student’s responsibility to
initiate the process for disability services. The mission of Student Disability
Services is to provide accommodations, support services, and auxiliary aids to
qualified students with disabilities to ensure equal and comprehensive access
to University programs, services, and campus facilities. Once the student has
established eligibility with Student Disability Services, they should also
notify the Program Office at the
Descriptions for
all courses are located at www.
nova.edu/ocean/course_descriptions.html.
An updated schedule of courses for the current term and the following three
terms may be viewed online (http://www.nova.edu/ocean/upcoming.html)
or obtained from the program office.
Distance course descriptions are listed on the distance learning website
at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted_descriptions.html.
Five core courses are required for MB, CZMT, MEVS, and
for the joint major:
Concepts in
Physical Oceanography
Marine Ecosystems
Marine Geology
Marine Chemistry
Biostatistics I
or Biostatistics II
Five core
courses are required for MSPO:
Concepts in Physical Oceanography
Concepts in Fluid Mechanics
Ocean Circulation
And two more chosen from those core courses available to
other majors
For
the Marine Biology major, elective courses include:
Bio-Physical Interactions in the Ocean
Biology of Sharks
GIS & Environmental Remote Sensing
Coral Reef Ecology
Coral Reef Geology and Evolution
Deep-Water Ecology of the
Ecology of the
Invertebrate Zoology
Marine Biodiversity
Marine Ichthyology
Marine Mammals
Molecular Marine Biology
Plankton Ecology
Population Ecology
Scientific Diving and Coral Reef
Assessment
Scientific Writing
Taxonomy of Marine Invertebrates
Wetlands Ecology
For
the Coastal Zone Management major, elective courses include:
Aquaculture
Aquaculture Systems
Aspects of Marine Pollution (distance)
Biology of Sharks and Rays (distance)
Coastal Ecology
Coastal Policy (distance)
Coastal Zone Interpretation (distance)
Conservation Biology
Dry Coastal Ecosystems
Environmental Conflict
Environmental GIS
Environmental Policy
Environmental Regulation
Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information
Systems (distance & in-house)
Environmental Sustainability (distance)
Environmental Toxicology (distance)
International Integrated Coastal Zone Management (distance)
Internship in Coastal Policy (distance)
Introduction to Environmental Sciences
Life on a Water Planet (distance)
Marine Botany
Marine Biodiversity
Marine Environmental Policy
Marine Mammal Management (distance)
Ocean Observing (distance)
Oil Pollution Effects
Resolving Environmental and Public Disputes (distance)
Scientific Writing
Tropical Marine Fish Ecology
Water Resource Impacts
Water: Cross-cultural, scientific, and spiritual
perspectives (distance)
For
the Marine Environmental Sciences major, elective courses include:
Aquaculture
Aspects of Marine Pollution
Biology and Ecology of Coral Reefs
Coastal Ecology
Conservation Biology
Deep Water Ecology of the
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Conflict
Fish and Wildlife Management
Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Environmental Conflict
GIS & Environmental Remote Sensing (distance &
in-house)
Introduction to Environmental Sciences
Marine Botany
Marine Biodiversity
Marine Environmental Policy
Marine Mammals
Molecular Marine Biology
Oil Pollution Effects
Scientific Writing
Wetlands Ecology
For the Physical Oceanography major,
elective courses include:
Air-sea interactions
Coastal Ocean
Observing Systems
Coastal Dynamics
Data Analysis Methods
in
Nearshore Processes
Satellite Oceanography
I
Satellite
Oceanography II
Waves in the Ocean
For the joint Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management; Marine Biology and Marine Environmental Sciences; and Coastal Zone Management and Marine Environmental Sciences majors, the choice of courses includes those listed above for the individual specialties.
Since the “normal” electives for each major may not exactly suit an individual student’s career goals, interests, or research needs, some program flexibility may be provided in the form of elective courses from a specialty other than the one in which the student is enrolled. Permission for program flexibility must be given in writing by program administrators. Such course flexibility is limited to one or (in extreme cases) two courses. It is stressed that any deviation from the normal program must be done carefully and with approval of a program administrator and the major professor (if one has been selected). The applicability of the elective course must be justified and approved prior to registration. Failure to do this risks non-approval of the course for program credit after the fact. This can delay a student’s progress.
Specific suggestions for the
timeline of activities for a capstone or thesis proposal are located at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/student_capstone_track_directions.pdf
and http://www.nova.edu/ocean/student_thesis_track_directions.pdf.
Each M.S. student will have an advisory committee. To obtain the maximum
benefit, it is to the student’s advantage to form this committee early in his
or her program.
Capstone review: The capstone review committee will consist
of at least two members, one of which must be a faculty member of the
Thesis: The thesis advisory committee will consist
of a major professor from the Oceanographic Center faculty and at least two
additional members, one of whom may be from another center of Nova Southeastern
University or from outside the university. In rare cases, requiring approval by
the Director of Academic Programs, the major professor may be an adjunct
faculty member. The committee participates in topic selection and preparation
of the proposal/outline and thesis. Close coordination between student and
committee during this process is strongly advised. The major professor must
have the terminal degree in a field relevant to the thesis research. Other
members of the committee must ordinarily have the terminal degree.
This report is
required from each student registered for thesis or capstone credits by the end
of each term of registration before a grade is issued. The completed
report is turned into the Program Office by the student’s advisor.
The report will include the following
information:
·
student’s name and date
·
a brief narrative synopsis of the work completed since the
last report -- for example, details of experiments conducted and literature
reviewed
·
target date for thesis or capstone completion
·
estimate of time spent on thesis or capstone work this term
·
a list of problems experienced (if any)
·
major professor’s comments
·
major professor’s signature
The capstone review paper is an extended library paper
in a format generally similar to that of the more formal thesis. It is a
serious scholarly review and should not be confused with a course term paper. A
typical capstone is in excess of 50 pages and references about 50 sources,
predominantly peer-reviewed.
The capstone process begins with the student finding an
advisor credentialed in the topic of interest to the student. This is a
collegial process; there must be a mutual agreement between advisor and
student. Neither topics nor advisors are assigned to students. Students having
difficulty finding an advisor should see the Director of Academic Programs for
assistance. After a topic is decided, and a second committee member has agreed
to serve on the student’s committee, the student prepares a proposal. This may
take several iterations. Once the capstone review paper proposal has been
approved by the student’s committee the final draft is submitted and approved
by the Director of Academic Programs. Only after proposal approval by the
Director may capstone students register for the first of two three-credit
capstone courses (OCMB-7000, CZMT-0701 or MEVS-5026). The capstone review paper
is expected to be completed by the end of the second term of registration.
However, if the capstone review paper is not finished after completion of the
minimum number of required capstone review credits (6), the M.S. student
continues registration for three additional credits in each subsequent term
until the capstone review paper is finished and has been successfully defended.
If a student fails to register for any given term without written approval by
the Director, missed credits must be made up before graduation, usually during
the next term of registration. A recommended timeline, helpful suggestions,
and examples of required cover sheets are provided at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/student_information.html. For distance students, capstone guidance is
also provided at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted_capstone.html.
The capstone should be soft-cover
bound using the Oceanographic Center Library approved cover (please contact the
OC librarian) and should be presented as a high-quality, word-processed,
laser-printed document. The student
should use a manuscript format applicable to library research and term papers.
Capstone reviews must follow the writing and citation guidelines of the Chicago
Manual of Style. The Manual is available online (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html). A table of contents must be
provided which is then expanded into major topics and divided with subtopics. A
left-hand margin of one and one-half inches is essential. Tables and Figures
should be imbedded in the text. Final
copies of capstones with a left-hand margin less than one and one-half inches
will be rejected. This is necessary to prevent loss of text during binding. All
other margins (e.g. right-hand, top and bottom) should be one inch. Word
processing should be neat and clean and laser-printed. For the final copies,
paper must be of good quality, acid-free, 20 percent cotton (rag) bond.
Erasable bond and heat-sensitive paper for thermal printers are absolutely
forbidden. Right margins should be justified. Please check with the librarian
for current printing protocols.
No further guidelines are provided in order to allow some flexibility. Three copies of the capstone are required: one for the library, one for the M.S. program office, and one for the major professor.
The thesis
is a write-up of a scientific study done by the student. The thesis process
begins with the student finding an advisor credentialed in the topic of
interest to the student. This is a collegial process; there must be a mutual
agreement between advisor and student. Neither topics nor advisors are assigned
to students. Thesis research is typically tied to grants or contracts held by
the thesis advisor. The number of research projects available at any one time
is dependant on the vagaries of funding. The student interested in pursuing a
thesis should begin searching for a project as soon as possible. After a
research project is decided upon, and two additional faculty members have
agreed to serve on the student’s committee, the student prepares a proposal.
This may take several iterations.
Once the thesis proposal has been approved by the student’s
committee the final draft is submitted and approved by the Director of Academic
Programs. Once the thesis proposals have been approved by the Director, M.S.
thesis students sequentially register for and complete a minimum of three
thesis research credits (OCMB-6900, CZMT-0681, or MEVS-5028) in each succeeding
term until the thesis is complete and has been successfully defended.
Sequential registration continues until the thesis is finished. If a student
fails to register for any given term without written approval by the Director, missed
credits must be made up before graduation, usually during the next term of
registration. It should be noted that while a minimum of nine thesis research
credits is required; more than this is usually necessary for the completion of
M.S. research. A recommended timeline, helpful suggestions, and examples of
required cover sheets are provided at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/student_information.html.
The thesis is hardcover bound through the Oceanographic Center (see Center librarian) at the student’s cost. The required editorial style for a thesis that is reporting lab or field research can be obtained from an appropriate scientific journal in the field (selected with approval of the major professor). Each journal publishes a list of guidelines to authors. The thesis is written as a journal article but with more methodological detail and raw data than would normally be published. The intent is to prepare the thesis in a form that can be pared down and submitted for publication.
A left-hand margin
of one and one-half inches is
essential. Tables and Figures should be imbedded in the text. Final copies of
theses with a left-hand margin less than one and one-half inches will be rejected. This is necessary
to prevent loss of text during binding. All other margins should be one inch.
Word processing should be neat and clean and laser-printed. For the final
copies, paper must be of good quality, acid-free, 20 percent cotton (rag) bond.
Erasable bond and heat-sensitive paper for thermal printers are absolutely
forbidden. Right margins should be even, not ragged. Three copies are required:
one for the library, one for the M.S. program office, and one for the major
professor.
Rough draft copies of a capstone or thesis submitted to committee members prior to the defense must be complete, containing figures and tables with legends and a bibliography. The draft copy must be double-spaced and should be in good form. It must not be missing parts essential to a proper evaluation, especially the data. A complete and detailed outline should be included with all drafts.
Students should expect demands for major revisions by the committee (editorial or otherwise), especially in the first drafts. Several drafts are usually necessary before the final form is achieved. The entire process from first draft to a final defensible copy can be very time consuming. To avoid unnecessary delays, students are advised to work out a timeline with their advisors and committee members and adhere to it. Bear in mind that staff and faculty members have a host of responsibilities. Without prior coordination, an unanticipated draft may languish on a committee member’s desk for weeks or even months (for example, if a committee member is in the field).
On completion of the capstone review paper or thesis to the major professor’s satisfaction, it is formally submitted to the other committee members. Upon agreement of the full committee, submission of the paper to the program office, and approval of the Director of Academic Programs, the defense may be scheduled.
The defendable copy must be complete, including, for example, all relevant materials, appendices, figures, and data tables. The copy (or reproductions thereof) will be available for review to any interested faculty member. Incomplete works will not be acceptable for defense. Once the defendable copy is submitted, additional revisions should not be made or circulated prior to the defense.
All M.S. thesis defenses must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance and all M.S. capstone review paper defenses must be scheduled at least one week in advance through the Institute of Marine and Coastal Studies. Thus, although they may be scheduled later, a defense for a capstone review may be scheduled no sooner than one week after submission to the program office, and for a thesis no sooner than two weeks after submission. For very long works, this time period may be extended to provide interested faculty adequate time for reading.
There are two components to a defense: public and private. For the public defense, requirements generally include a 30- to 50-minute oral presentation (with appropriate visual aids) to the faculty, student body, and other interested persons. In the case of distance students who are unable to attend their defense in person at the Oceanographic Center, alternate arrangements may be made using audio-visual software. The committee then will question the candidate in private on aspects related to their capstone or thesis work. This private session is closed and limited to the candidate, members of the committee, and interested faculty members. The committee then takes a vote in closed session. The capstone review paper or thesis may be accepted, accepted with revision, or rejected.
The
There are two informal divisions within the Ph.D. in Oceanography
Program: marine biology and physical oceanography. The Ph.D. degree
requires a minimum of 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate. The 90
total credit hours are split into a minimum of 42 credits of
upper-level course work and a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation
research. The student may not register for research credits (DIS)
until after successfully defending the research proposal. Required
courses include the five M.S. core courses (Physical Oceanography,
Marine Ecosystems, Marine Geology, Marine Chemistry, Biostatistics).
The student must successfully complete the Ph.D. comprehensive
examination and successfully defend the completed dissertation before
the committee. The Oceanographic Center faculty has final approval of
the dissertation.
Ph.D. students pay full tuition
while in active status; that is, while taking courses, finalizing the proposal,
performing research, and writing the dissertation. The minimum activity
requirement is three years, but the typical activity requirement for a student
with an in-field master’s degree is more than three years. The minimum time
limit (three years) begins with the initial course registration. Once Ph.D.
activity has begun, registration is sequential each term. Full tuition must be
paid each term. Failure to register for a particular term is not permitted
without prior written approval by the Director and may signal the student’s
resignation from the degree program. A recommended timeline, helpful
suggestions, and examples of required approval and cover sheets are provided at
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/student_information.html. Ph.D. students may transfer
up to 30 graduate course credits from prior graduate programs in the same
discipline as their anticipated Ph.D. Transfer courses must be either
reasonable duplicates of courses offered at NSU or clearly in an applicable
Ph.D. field of interest. Transfer acceptability will be decided by the Director
of Academic Programs, the student’s advisors, and the student’s dissertation
committee (if formed at entrance). The student’s Ph.D. Committee consists,
at a minimum, of four people, at
least three of whom must be Center faculty and one of who must be from outside
the Before research relevant to
the Ph.D. can begin, a student must produce a detailed research proposal
written under guidance of the major professor and members of the supervising
committee. The dissertation proposal should consist of at least the following
elements: ·
title of the proposed dissertation ·
statement of the problem and hypothesis to be tested ·
statement of the significance of the work ·
detailed description of the methodology with enough detail
that the methodology can be understood without having to consult secondary
sources o
literature should be cited where applicable o
proper experimental design is very important and will be
subject to review and comment by the dissertation committee o
expected results of the research should be provided, and any
required funding, facilities, and other equipment/resources should be listed ·
references/bibliography A candidate will defend the
proposal in an oral presentation to faculty. A written version must be submitted
at least one week beforehand and reside in the program office for inspection by
the faculty if desired. At the oral presentation defense, a candidate will be
expected to demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the proposed research
project, and to justify the chosen research topic. Presentation will be open to
all faculty; a closed session with the student will follow, restricted to the
committee and interested faculty. If areas of deficiency are highlighted, a
candidate will be notified and will have the opportunity to modify the
proposal. The committee may require a second presentation. Within 6 months to a year
after admission, the student will complete a qualifying exam before his/her
committee that will determine basic knowledge and deficits to be corrected by
coursework. This test is used to tailor the student’s curriculum. It is not
graded, and does not determine candidacy. The qualifying examination may be
taken directly after the proposal defense. The examination consists of
written and oral phases. The written exams, taken on completion of formal
course work, are administered by the major professor and consist of questions
submitted by each committee member. The candidate is allowed a day to answer
each member’s questions. The entire exam takes at least three days. The student
is informed of the results of the written examination within one week of
completion. At that time, the committee determines if the answers to the
written portion warrant further examination, in which case an oral exam is
scheduled. The student normally takes the oral examination within two weeks of
this notification. The oral phase consists of questions concerning any aspect
of marine science posed by each committee member during a joint meeting but
typically concentrates on areas highlighted by weak responses on the written
exam. After the examination, the student will be excused and the committee will
determine the outcome. The decision of the committee must be unanimous. A
student failing either written or oral parts may retake the exam once,
typically two to six months after the first attempt. On completion of the
dissertation to the major professor’s satisfaction, it is formally submitted to
the other committee members. The dissertation may be scheduled for defense only
after approval by the entire committee and the Director of Academic Programs. All Ph.D. dissertation
defenses must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance through the program
office. Notice will be provided to the faculty. At least two weeks prior to a
student's scheduled defense, a copy of the work must be submitted to, and
reside in, the program office. For very long works, this time period may be
extended to provide the committee adequate time for reading. The defendable
copy must be essentially complete, including, for example, all relevant
materials, appendices, figures, and data tables. The copy (or reproductions
thereof) will be available for review to any interested faculty member.
Incomplete works will not be acceptable for defense. The defense will consist of
a 40- to 50-minute oral presentation (with slides/visual aids) to the faculty,
student body, and other interested persons. The committee will then question
the candidate on the dissertation work and related aspects. This session is
closed and limited to the candidate, members of the committee, and interested
faculty members. The committee then takes a vote in closed session. The thesis
may be accepted, accepted with revision, or rejected. The Oceanographic Center
faculty ultimately must pass on acceptability of the dissertation. The student
should consult frequently with the committee during all phases of thesis work
for continuity and in order to avoid problems during the formal defense. At least three signed copies
of the successfully defended dissertation, including any revisions specified
during the defense, must be submitted, in bound form, to the Oceanographic
Center librarian. The complete dissertation may be submitted to the librarian
for binding or the student may elect to have this done elsewhere. The cost of
binding is the student’s responsibility. The major professor is
responsible for insuring that changes specified by the committee are
incorporated in the final version. One bound copy will be placed in the
library, one is for the student’s major professor, and one is for the program
office. The student may submit any number of additional personal copies for
binding. This report is
required from each student registered for dissertation credits by the end of each
term of registration. The completed report is turned into the Program
Office by the student’s advisor. The report will include the following
information: ·
student’s name and date ·
a brief narrative synopsis of work completed since the last
report -- for example, details of experiments conducted and literature
reviewed. ·
target date for dissertation completion ·
estimate of time spent on dissertation work this term ·
a list of problems experienced (if any) ·
major professor’s comments ·
major professor’s signature In addition to specialized courses
(listed and described at www.
nova.edu/ocean/course_descriptions.html), Ph.D. candidates register for
OCGY-8000 (Ph.D. Dissertation Research). The Prospective students are encouraged to explore the While distance students are very welcome to visit the The schedule of distance courses is found
at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted/online_schedule.html.
Course descriptions link directly from this.
Distance
courses that may be taken individually or within specific majors include: Core courses (within the M.S. in
CZMT): Biostatistics I Introduction to Physical Oceanography Marine Chemistry Marine Ecosystems Marine Geology Elective courses (3-credit): Aspects of Marine Pollution Biology of Sharks and Rays Coastal Policy Coastal Pollution and Environmental Toxicology Coastal Zone Interpretation Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information
Systems Environmental Risk Assessment Environmental Sustainability: Choices for the Future Environmental Toxicology International Integrated Coastal Zone Management Internship in Coastal Policy (available year round upon
approval of supervising professor) Marine Mammal Management Ocean Observing Resolving Environmental and Public Disputes (offered through
the School of Humanities and
Social Sciences) Water: Cross-cultural, Scientific and Spiritual Perspectives
Distance courses are offered directly from the web by means
of the WebCT course software delivery program (found at http://webct.nova.edu). Students must be
fully admitted, registered within a course, and have an active NSU email
account before they can access their WebCT materials. (Distance students
especially should be cautioned that their NSU email account privileges may
expire after a six-month period of inactivity, and so they may need to renew
these after any extended break in study.)
Admitted distance students are encouraged to explore the information and
links at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted/admitted_students.html. To ensure effective communication, it is particularly
important that distance students update WebStar (http://webstar.nova.edu/) with any changes
in contact details (e.g. address, telephone), and use their NSU email address
for all formal email communication. The distance program staff and faculty want distance
students to feel a “connected” part of the OC student community. Towards this end, incoming students are
encouraged to submit (and update) brief informal biographies and photographs
for posting on the distance course website. Likewise, distance students are welcome
to take OC compressed on-site and OC field courses.
Students admitted into the distance education program should explore the
specific links for admitted students on
the distance education home page at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted/admitted_students.html. Any texts
required for distance learning courses may generally be ordered and shipped
from the NSU bookstore, which can be accessed directly from the web at: http://nsubooks.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=10055&catalogId=10001. Distance students should contact the OC librarian, Kathy
Maxson, (email: maxson@nova.edu), to
establish communication and get an overview of the services available to
them. They should also virtually “visit”
and explore the resources available to distance students through the main NSU
campus library, at: http://www.nova.edu/library/portal/distance.html. The Office for Information Technologies at NSU maintains a
computing help desk that may be contacted for assistance with any academic
computing problems. They can be
contacted online at: http://www.nova.edu/help/
or by telephone at (954) 262-HELP (4357), or toll free: (800) 541-NOVA (6682)
x24357. Distance
students are advised to explore the range of technological support services
available to them at: http://www.nova.edu/help/students/index.html. As a requirement for
accreditation, regular online attendance is necessary. Each professor has the
responsibility to enforce class attendance. To fulfill this requirement,
students must have logged-in, accessed, and/or interacted with the majority of
online course requirements (e.g. assignment submissions, asynchronous
discussion) by the tenth week of term or they may be withdrawn from the course
by the instructor through the Program Office.
For this reason, if students anticipate or encounter any reason why they
may be unable to engage with their online coursework for an extended period
during a term, they must communicate this to their instructor and the Distance
Education Coordinator as soon as possible. Students do have the option of
requesting an Incomplete; if this is granted by their instructor, they then
have 3-months from the end of the term date to submit the required course work
as decided with the instructor. An
incomplete grade agreement form must be completed and filed with the distance
education office. An instructor reserves
the right to request original written documentation to substantiate any such
absences. A falsified excuse is cause for disciplinary action. Distance students are referred to the section
3.5.2. of this catalog for details on course withdrawals and refunds. If a final examination is scheduled for a distance course,
students who reside within a 50-mile radius of the Distance
students are referred to the section on Student Conduct (5.0) later in this
handbook, especially with regards to clarity about plagiarism. Distance students may take individual courses, or study
towards a range of distance programs, offered either by the The The distance M.S.
in Coastal Zone Management (CZMT) is equal to the in-house M.S. degree, and
students should refer to the program description provided in section 2.0 of
this catalog. Students registered in the
distance M.S. in CZMT have the option of registering for in-house electives and
field courses with the Required distance core courses for the M.S.
in Coastal Zone Management are: Marine Geology Marine Chemistry Biostatistics I Introduction to Physical Oceanography Marine Ecosystems All distance M.S.
in CZMT students are automatically admitted into the Capstone Track option, and
should review the details of the capstone process found in this catalog in
Section 3.8 and on the web at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted_capstone.html. Distance M.S. in CZMT students are encouraged to make
arrangements to come to the Offered by the The
M.A. in Cross-disciplinary Studies is multidisciplinary, experiential, and
allows students to self-design their graduate studies. The program is designed
to meet the needs of students who are seeking a broader learning forum and who
appreciate the unique self-design of cross-disciplinary studies. The M.A.
program provides intellectual advancement and the opportunity to expand and
enrich educational horizons in keeping with the liberal studies traditions. The
M.A. program utilizes a multidisciplinary approach and variety of perspectives
for observing, analyzing, and addressing contemporary social issues. Students
focus on systemic approaches and methodologies when studying human challenges.
The M.A. utilizes experiential learning to provide students with hands-on
training where theory and practice are integrated. The
M.A. consists of an 11-course (33 credits) sequence that includes core classes,
practica, and a 12-credit concentration track. For more information,
please visit the link at: http://shss.nova.edu/Academic_Programs/MastersPrograms/MACS.htm
or contact Erica Guterman by email (guterman@nova.edu),
or by telephone at 1-800-541-6682, ext. 23003. Offered by the The
M.S. in Education with specialization in Environmental Education (OCEE) is as a
component of the National Graduate Teacher Education online program. NGTE is a
fast-paced online master’s program designed to be completed within one year. A
new cluster (group) begins each winter, summer and fall. Students within an
assigned cluster take the same courses in sequence. There are 2 sessions each
term and 3 terms each year, to give 12 courses and 36 credits. Students remain
with their “cluster” throughout the program, and so build a strong sense of
being part of a virtual learning community. The
degree is conferred by For more information,
please see the link at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted/msee.html
or contact Jane Dougan by email at douganj@nova.edu,
or by telephone at 1-800-541-6682, ext. 23621. The following system is used to grade academic performance: GRADE DESCRIPTION A Excellent B Satisfactory C D Poor F Failure W Withdrawal: Given
after the third class week or termination by the instructor for
non-completion of the course by the student. I Incomplete: Given
when most (80 percent), but not all, work has been completed. Au Audit P Pass Professors may use + or – in
grading. However, the grading scale ranges from A to D-, no A+ or F+ are
awarded. A grade of
incomplete (I) must be requested from the instructor, have the Director’s
approval, and be accompanied by a completed
contract specifying outstanding course requirements and completion dates.
Completion of the course graded incomplete must occur within one term (or 3
months) of the end of the course and the incomplete be changed to a different
grade. If the course is not completed in 3 months, or the student has not
withdrawn and received a W, the incomplete will automatically be converted to a
grade of F. Under unusual circumstances students may request a time-extension
to complete the course. Such requests must be submitted to, and approved by,
the Director of Academic Programs prior to the end of the 3-month time limit.
There are no exceptions to this rule. Securing the completed and signed
incomplete contract forms is the responsibility of the student. Blank forms are available online at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted/incomplete_agreement.html. Students are permitted to
retake, at their expense, courses for which a grade of C or lower has been
earned. Retaking a course is only permitted once. Retaking of courses does not
remove from the student’s official transcript the entry of the earlier
registration nor the grades earned; however, only the highest grade earned in a
course will be computed as part of the grade point average, thus enabling the
student to improve his/her academic standing. Courses with a grade of C- or
lower will not be counted as credits towards degree requirements. Core classes
with a C- or lower must be retaken to count towards degree conferment. Quality points are
used to compute the overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of a student. GRADE QUALITY
POINTS A 4.00 A- 3.67 B+ 3.33 B 3.00 B- 2.67 C+ 2.33 C 2.00 C- 1.67 D+ 1.33 D 1.00 D- 0.67 F 0.00 Not all courses are graded with
the letter + or - system. In some courses, only whole letter grades are given. Master’s degree candidates and
special students may audit courses (non-credit) for one-half the normal tuition
rate (plus fees). These students may withdraw from audited courses and receive
full or partial tuition reimbursement according to the Withdrawal and Refund
Policy listed in the handbook and bulletin. Ph.D. candidates may register to
audit courses at no additional charge beyond their regular tuition. Audit students are expected to
attend classes and participate in the courses as regular students. If this is
not the case, the students will be administratively dropped from the class
roster. Audit students may take course exams and complete term papers at their
option. An audit does not count towards degree or certificate requirements. As a requirement for accreditation,
regular and punctual class attendance is necessary. Each professor has the
responsibility to enforce class attendance. To fulfill this requirement,
students must be present for 80% of the regularly scheduled sessions and
field trips or they will automatically be withdrawn from the course by the
instructor through the Program Office. There are no excused absences for
purposes of this rule. Final written examinations are
required in graduate courses, except in seminars and other tutorial courses
where research papers or other requirements may replace a final exam. Usually
the final examination or total accumulated points determine the grade for a
course. However, the instructor may indicate otherwise. A student failing to take the
final examination in any course must notify the Director’s office as soon as
circumstances permit, preferably prior to the final. If the Director is
satisfied that the absence was justified, permission may be given to take a
makeup examination within six months or the next time the course is regularly
offered. No grades will be
released to students without full payment of tuition and fees (or firm arrangements
for their payment). Grade reports are
mailed to the student’s permanent address and are not given over the telephone
or verbally by the program office. Students may access their grades in Webstar. Students who have reason to
believe that there has been an error in assigning a grade may formally protest
and invoke the Grade Appeal Procedure. The grade appeal or other grievance procedure
for students is itemized below and should be followed in all instances, making
sure that each step is completed before going on to the next step. If
resolution is reached at the end of any given step, it is not necessary to
continue. 3.9.2. Academic Activities and Approvals
3.9.3. Committee
3.9.4. Proposal Defense
3.9.5. Qualifying Examination
3.9.6.
Comprehensive Examination
3.9.7. Defense of Dissertation
3.9.8. Final Submission of Dissertation
3.9.9. Report of Progress
3.9.10. Ph.D. Course Descriptions
3.10. Distance Education
3.10.1. Course Delivery
3.10.2. Textbooks
3.10.3. Library
3.10.4. Technological HELP Desk
3.10.5. Attendance
3.10.6. Final Examinations
3.10.7. Student Conduct
3.10.8. Distance Certificate and Degree Programs
3.10.9. Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies
3.10.10. M.S. in Coastal Zone Management– Distance
Education
3.10.11. Environment and Society Concentration Track of the M.A. in
Cross-Disciplinary Programs (MACS)
3.10.12. M.S. in Education with Specialization in Environmental Education
4.0. Grading
4.0.1.
Grading System
4.0.2.
Quality Points
4.0.3.
Grading Policies
4.0.3.1.
Audit
4.0.3.2.
Attendance
4.0.4.
Examinations
4.0.5.
Student Grade Transmittal
4.0.6.
Grade Appeal/Grievance Procedure