NSU 2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog

423 Nova Southeastern University • Undergraduate Student Catalog • 2014–2015 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS OCUG 3400 Biology of Sharks and Rays (3 credits) Sharks and rays (collectively termed “elasmobranchs”) are creatures of biological elegance and perennial fascination. In recent years, new technologies have revealed fascinating details about the heretofore secret lives of elasmobranchs as well as demonstrated their population declines on an unprecedented and global scale.This unique 12-week course is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary introduction to the evolution, biology, ecology, and conservation of elasmobranch fishes. OPS—Operations Management OPS 3880 Operations Management (3 credits) This course approaches Operations Management from the "inside-out." It develops the student’s personal understanding of processes, process capabilities and results and then transfers those into the business environment. The course builds on an understanding of applied statistics to develop an understanding of the planning and the processes involved in the creation of value both through provision of services and manufacture of goods. Topics include process flow and capability, operations strategy, total quality management (TQM), supply chain and capacity management, process improvement, project management. Prerequisites: Math 3020 or Math 3020H, or Math 2020, or Math 2020H. PADM—Public Administration PADM 1000 Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits) Public Administration is a multi-disciplinary discipline that provides students with the basic skills necessary for employment in government, public service, and non- profit organizations. This course is a survey of the field of public administration, and will introduce the student to the history, theories, concepts, and practice of public administration. This course will provide an overview of the major sub-fields in public administration and will serve as a basis for further study in the field. PADM 2000 Organizational Behavior (3 credits) Organizational behavior is the scientific study of the behavioral processes that occur in human groups and formal organizations. The field of organizational behavior borrows many concepts, theories, and methods from disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, political science, and management. This course introduces students to the core concepts and theories of organizational behavior including group dynamics, authority and power, organizational culture, motivation, job stress, ‘problem employees’, leadership, and decision making. Prerequisite: PADM 1000. OCMB—Marine Biology OCMB 9410 Dis:Marine Protect Area Manage (3 credits) Dis: Marine Protect Area Manage: This course will focus on the principles of marine protected areas, including legal and practical application. OCUG—Ocean Undergrad OCUG 3100 Life on a Water Planet (3 credits) An introduction to the realization that we do live on a water planet, and the inherent challenges and opportunities this presents, arguably now as never before. This course, among other things, will explore a brief history of the evolution of life on our water planet; urban development, and the links between coast and community; marine life and biodiversity, and our impact upon it; population, consumption, and our ecological footprint. OCUG 3200 Environmental Sustainability (3 credits) This web-based distance education course highlights more than 25 years of international discussion, debate and ideas, with regard to the state of the environment and our actions towards it. Key considerations and voices are included, from both North and South. This unusual and challenging course avoids the usual categorizations, and instead examines in a fresh, cross cutting approach the environmental and social issues that effect our lives. Students become part of the “international learning community”, by participating in on-line closed discussion. The emphasis is on presenting an international range of perspectives and case studies, linking the issues and ideas to up-to-the-moment occurrences as they effect student, when they happen and wherever they are. OCUG 3300 Marine Mammal Management (3 credits) This course is essentially a demanding interdisciplinary approach to examining the present state of the relationship between marine mammals, people and the environment: as this has evolved over time, as it stands today and as it is likely to be for the future, whether by default or by design. The marine mammal-environment relationship is extremely complex and fluid. It changes depending upon place and time, and the rate of this change is accelerating along with related developments such as population and economic growth, technological capacity, and our expanding use of the world oceans and waterways. Although this couse in many ways resists categorization, for the sake of simplicity it might be said to relate more to social processes and philosophical considerations, as well as the development of physical conditions, values and economic activities that have led to their present situation.