College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 2015-2016 Catalog

210 MACS 0667 – Coastal Zone Interpretation This is a web-based course that offers an exploration of communication and experiential learning theories and their application to the interpretation of coastal zone environments. This course provides the student with learning opportunities that will require them to, "go outside, sniff around," explore the coastal zone and thereby be engaged in hands-on interpretive experiences. MACS 0672 – Biology of Sharks and Rays: Part 1: Form and Function In this course, we will explore the general biology of sharks and rays by examining topics concentrating on their anatomy, physiology and biochemistry with the goal of understanding how exquisitely adapted these animals are to their environment. MACS 0673 – Biology of Sharks and Rays: Part 2: Ecology and Evolution In this course, we will survey the evolution and diversity of past and present sharks and rays and also examine distributions, environments inhabited, ecological roles, interactions within and among species, and review the life history characteristics of sharks and rays I relation to their occurrence and sustainability in fisheries with the overall goal of understanding the diversity of sharks and rays, their role in marine ecosystems and their interactions with humans (other than in terms of shark attack). MACS 0676 – Chemical Biology of Coastal Zn. Chemical Biology of Coastal Zones: This course deals with the application of chemistry to the biology of coastal zones. It consists of 10 units, 10 quizzes, 1 written assignment and a final exam. Each unit is followed by a quiz. MACS 0677 – Coastline Environmental Security Traditional terrorist targets include human assets (such as political leaders and foreign diplomatic staff), physical assets (such as aircraft, buildings, factories, power stations), and institutional assets such as legislatures and courts of law. However, we seek here to expand the notion of threat beyond these traditional determinants to include activities which target the natural environment. Although we may consider Eco-Terrorism (people and organizations which target the built environment and act in the defense of nature), this course will concentrate on the natural environment as a target. In this time of global instability, where people sacrifice themselves by strapping on explosives and where civilian aircraft are used as missiles, we must force ourselves to look beyond traditional threats and evaluate the risk confronting our greatest asset, our environment. This involves particular considerations for those who are concerned with maintaining and managing the sustainability and health of the coastal zone. For S1 level students only. MACS 0686 – Ocean Observing The Ocean Observing course sets the stage for this new program. It is intended to give students a broad view to how the physical and biological factors are governing the distribution of the marine life and how the ocean influences climate variability. Human activities impact the orderly functioning of the ocean (and other components of the Earth system) by altering cycling rates and disturbing the equilibrium of biochemical cycles. Students will learn how society is attempting to minimize these impacts, remediate past damage, and avoid future problems. Answers to these and other questions require observational data on the ocean's properties and processes.