Courses Offered
The UP Marine Science Institute graduate curriculum trains prospective marine scientists in the major divisions of marine science: marine biology, marine physical sciences and marine biotechnology. Core courses include Ocean Physics and Chemistry, the four disciplines of Oceanography, and Marine Biotechnology.
The UP MSI also offers undergraduate courses such as Oceans, the Marine Sciences, and Oceans and Us. Each student designs his or her own program of study, with interesting electives offered by the Institute and by other units of the College of Science. This curriculum adequately prepares graduate students to pursue their chosen fields of research.
UNDERGRADUATE OFFERING
MS 101 – Oceans
Course Number: MS 101
Course Title: Oceans
Professors: LTDavid, CMFerrera, FPSiringan, CLVillanoy, ATYñiquez
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Concepts necessary for a broad understanding of the physics, chemistry, geology, and biology of the oceans
Learning Objectives:
- To discuss the geological, physical, chemical and biological properties and processes in the ocean, how they interact, and their relevance to our planet and our lives.
- To explain the basic methods to investigate various aspects of oceanography.
MS 102 – The Marine Sciences
Course Number: MS 102
Course Title: The Marine Sciences
Professors: PCCabaitan, MAJMeñez, DFLOnda
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
An introduction to the subdisciplines of marine science (e.g. marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology and physical oceanography), with emphasis on tropical marine ecology.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand the biology and ecology of marine organisms and key processes that maintain marine ecosystems
- To gain a better appreciation of scientific approaches and methods in the study of the marine ecology
- To examine socio-ecological contexts marine environmental issues.
MS 1 – Oceans and Us
Course Number: MS 1
Course Title: Oceans and Us
Professors: CGConaco, LTDavid, RRGotanco, CBJaraula, MJRPante, LSReyes, IBRodriguez, MVBRodriguez, WJESantiañez, FPSiringan, ATYñiguez, ETYu, RAAbesamis
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The functional balance between the health of the oceans and the survival and improvement of our way of life.
Learning Objectives:
- Integrate concepts and principles of marine ecosystem functions based on geological, physical, chemical, and biological concepts
- Analyze current environmental issues concerning our oceans.
- Evaluate rational strategies on the use and management of ocean resources.
GRADUATE OFFERING
COURSES OFFERED FOR FIRST SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
MS 201 – Ocean Physics and Chemistry
Course Number: MS 201
Course Title: Ocean Physics and Chemistry
Professors: CBJaraula / LTDavid/ CRepollo
Prerequisite: Introductory Calculus, Elementary Organic Chemistry, and Basic Physical Chemistry
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
An introduction to various aspects of chemical– and physical-mediated ecological interactions of marine organisms. It is a combination of discussions, directed readings and reports. The evolutionary significance of these ecological relationships will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the evolution of oceans and ocean chemistry.
- Discuss marine pollution and water quality issues.
- Discuss maine commodities.
- Explain the major forces which drive the different types of ocean motion.
- Discuss the distribution of temperature and salinity in the oceans and the processes that determine variations with depth and in the different ocean basins.
- Understand the scientific method and how it is applied towards understanding complex ocean dynamics and its relation to marine ecosystem.
MS 210 – Physical Oceanography
Course Number: MS 210
Course Title: Physical Oceanography
Professors: CVillanoy / LTDavid/ CRepollo
Prerequisite: Math 100 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Physical properties of sea water, general distribution of salinity, temperature and density, waves and currents, ocean atmosphere interactions.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss and be able to interpret the large-scale distribution of physical properties e.g. temperature, salinity, and currents in the oceans and the processes that determine its variations with depth and in the different ocean basins.
- Explain the major forces which drive the different types of ocean motion and learn how it can be estimated from observations.
- Calculate and visualize simplified models of ocean dynamics.
MS 220 – Chemical Oceanography
Course Number: MS 210
Course Title: Physical Oceanography
Professors: CMFerrera / IBRodriguez
Prerequisite: Analytical Chemistry or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Chemical features and processes in marine waters and sediments, and their interrelationships with the physical and biological systems.
Learning Objectives:
- Find out the chemical composition of seawater and explain the processes that affect them.
- Discuss how chemical components cycle in the ocean, land, sediment, and atmosphere.
- Determine how chemistry affects and is affected by the physics, biology, and geology of the oceans.
MS 240 – Biological Oceanography
Course Number: MS 240
Course Title: Biological Oceanography
Professors: DFOnda / CConaco
Prerequisite: MS 210 or MS 201
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The relationship of biological systems to the marine physico-chemical environment.
Learning Objectives:
- To provide an overview of basic concepts (fundamentals) alongside cutting edge research developments in the various fields (including microbiology and molecular aspects).
- To develop critical and analytical thinking, so the students can be spun off to explore fields on their own which interest them and which they can study in greater depth.
- To develop originality in their pursuit of science; be creative, innovative, willing to go out on a limb
- To do independent research in any field of their choice, AND publish it in the international primary literature.
MS 270 – Biochemistry of Marine Organisms
Course Number: MS 270
Course Title: Biochemistry of Marine Organisms
Professors: LSReyes / IBRodriguez / ETYu
Prerequisite: Elementary Biochemistry
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Structure-function relationships of biomolecules, bioenergetics, catalysis, and regulation of metabolic pathways; and comparative biochemistry of marine organisms.
Learning Objectives:
ELECTIVES
MS 214 – Waves and Tides (on demand)
Course Number: MS 214
Course Title: Waves and Tides
Professors: CLVillanoy / LTDavid
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Quantitative discussions on surface, long standing and internal waves; seiches, tsunamic, storm surges, swells, tide-producing forces and tides.
Learning Objectives:
MS 221 – Marine Geochemistry
Course Number: MS 221
Course Title: Marine Geochemistry
Professors: CBJaraula
Prerequisite: MS 220 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The study of oceans as a geochemical systems with emphasis on global biogeochemical cycles.
Learning Objectives:
MS 226 – Marine Pollution Chemistry
Course Number: MS 226
Course Title: Marine Pollution Chemistry
Professors: CMFerrera / IBRodriguez
Prerequisite: General Inorganic Chemistry, General Organic Chemistry, & Analytical Chem or equivalents or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Sources, sinks and fate of various types of pollutants in the marine environment.
Learning Objectives:
MS 226.1 – Marine Pollution Chemistry laboratory
Course Number: MS 226.1
Course Title: Marine Pollution Chemistry
Professors: CMFerrera / IBRodriguez
Prerequisite: MS 226
Credit: 2 units
Course Description:
Field and laboratory studies to apply concepts and techniques in marine pollution chemistry.
Learning Objectives:
MS 253 – Marine Chemical Ecology
Course Number: MS 253
Course Title: Marine Chemical Ecology
Professors: LSReyes / MVBRodriguez
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The role of biomolecules (hormones, secondary metabolites, and others) in the interaction of marine organisms and their potential ecological and economic applications.
Learning Objectives:
MS 255 – Coral Reef Ecosystems
Course Number: MS 255
Course Title: Coral Reef Ecosystems
Professors: PCCabaitan
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Structure, function and ecological significance of coral reefs and their major living components.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the theoretical and practical aspects of the processes driving the dynamics of coral reef communities.
MS 256 – Marine Algae
Course Number: MS 256
Course Title: Marine Algae
Professors: WJESantiañez
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Taxonomy, morphology and ecology of marine benthic algae.
Learning Objectives:
- Articulate the basics of seaweed biology and ecology and relate and outline the role of seaweeds to the marine environment and to society.
- Discriminate morphological discontinuities from phylum to species level.
- Describe and interpret the similarities and differences of morphological characteristics of seaweeds.
- Describe and identify tropical (Philippines) seaweeds.
MS 385 – Marine Toxinology (every odd year)
Course Number: MS 385
Course Title: Marine Toxinology
Professors: LSReyes / DFLOnda
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The biological significance, mode of production, biochemistry, toxinology and mechanisms of action of marine toxins.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Behavioral Ecology
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Behavioral Ecology
Professors: MAJMeñez
Prerequisite: MS 260 or equivalent
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Behavioral ecology is a synthetic field of research that approaches the integration of animal behavior and ecology from an evolutionary viewpoint. The main objective of this course is: to understand how various behaviors function as adaptive traits, enabling growth, survival and reproduction in specific environmental situations.
Learning Objectives:
- Comprehend the key elements of theories and developments in the study of animal behavior and behavioral ecology.
- Critically read and synthesize scientific papers on particular marine behavioral ecological studies.
- Understand and identify various methods/tools that can be used to measure behavior and parameters to consider for different research objectives.
- Prepare an oral presentation and lead a discussion topic on a topic of interest.
MS 397 – Special Topics: Genome Biology of Marine Organisms
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Genome Biology of Marine Organisms
Professors: CGConaco
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Gene Expression Control
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Gene Expression Control
Professors: CGConaco
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Gene regulatory mechanisms: fundamentals, recent discoveries, and biochemical and genetic approaches.
Learning Objectives:
- To familiarize students with gene regulatory mechanisms and the various approaches that are used to reveal their function; to develop an understanding of basic methodologies that will enable data interpretation and experimental design; to foster a deeper appreciation for the complexity of life.
MS 397 – Special Topics: Ecological Modelling
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Ecological Modeling
Professors: ATYñiguez
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
The process and outputs of modeling have played important roles in helping to increase our understanding of various complex systems. Modeling enables the synthesis of knowledge on these complex ecological systems, and allows us to simulate and analyze their dynamics. This course will give an introduction into the development and analysis of ecological models. It will provide an overview on the approaches and the model types using a hands-on approach.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the concept and process of ecological modeling
- Discuss different approaches to ecological modeling
- Conceptualize, implement and analyze an ecological model
MS 397 – Special Topics: Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Professors: RRGotanco
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
A survey of methods for generating and analyzing molecular genetic data and their applications to the study of ecology and evolution in the marine environment.
Learning Objectives:
- To gain an appreciation of the utility and application of various molecular techniques to address questions in marine ecology and evolution.
- To familiarize students with key approaches for analyzing genetic variation and functional significance across hierarchical levels of biological organization (population genetics, phylogenetics, -omics approaches).
MS 397 – Special Topics: Submarine Groundwater Discharge
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Submarine Groundwater Discharge
Professors: FPSiringan
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
This course will explore the processes and controls of SGD . The methods of detection, mapping and characterization will be tackled. The known bioecological impacts of SGD will be discussed and other potential impacts will be explored. This course will use recent journal articles. The class is a combination of lectures, student reports and discussions. Assessments will be based on exams, oral reports and readiness to actively participate in discussions.
Learning Objectives:
- To provide a working knowledge on the nature, drivers and characteristics of SGD.
- Familiarize the students to various methods in detecting, mapping and characterizing SGDs including considerations in choosing appropriate methods for given conditions.
- Examine the bio-ecological impacts of SGDs potential researchable topics specific to the Philippine setting.
MS 397 – Special Topics: Environmental Metallomics and Biotechnology
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Environmental Metallomics and Biotechnology
Professors: IBRodriguez
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Biological-Social Structures
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Biological-Social Structures
Professors: GPConcepcion / MHTYap
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Distribution and production ecology of seagrasses and mangroves with emphasis on their role in the productivity and stability of coastal habitats.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Ecological Assessment with Algae
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Ecological Assessment with Algae
Professors: MYRoleda
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
A review of studies and recent advances in the field of using algae in environmental assessments of water bodies that have been used for a century and in countries around the world.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Marine Organic Geochemistry (as needed)
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Marine Organic Geochemistry
Professors: CBJaraula
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
An introduction to the application of lipid molecular markers into biological, petrogenic, anthropogenic, and radiolytic processes. Specific applications to climate research, oil spill, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and studies on the biotic history of the Earth. Laboratory techniques, instrumentation and analyses will be tackled in the lecture sessions.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss and compare molecular markers for biological, petrogenic, anthropogenic and radiolytic processes. Identify common lipid biomarkers based on mass spectra.
- Explain the methods and instrumentation used in the analyses of lipid molecular mark.
- Discuss applications of lipid molecular markers applied to petroleum systems, oil spills, climate research, paleoenvironmental reconstruction and biotic history of the Earth.
MS 397 – Special Topics: Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics of the Biosynthesis of Natural Products
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Marine Organic Geochemistry
Professors: AOLluisma
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Quantitative Methods in Microbial Ecology
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Ecological Assessment with Algae
Professors: DFLOnda
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
The course will mainly use the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) platform to process high throughput sequencing (HTS) amplicon (e.g. 18S rRNA and 18S rDNA) data coupled with a myriad of statistical packages – from data filtering, to calculation and visualization of diversity indices and community patterns, to phylogenetic identification, and application of models to understand community assembly and ecology. The format is a mixture of lecture and discussions with hands-on exercises on actual data.
Learning Objectives:
- To provide basic theoretical, analytical and practical knowledge on quantitative tools and models for data analysis to gain ecological insights of microbial communities, with primary focus on microbial eukaryotes.
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Biostatistics
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Biostatistics
Professors: MJRPante
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Practical Scientific Programming (every odd year)
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Practical Scientific Programming
Professors: AOLluisma
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Ocean Remote Sensing & Image Analysis
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Ocean Remote Sensing & Image Analysis
Professors: LTDavid
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Introduction to Satellite Remote Sensing; Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Ocean Remote Sensing & Image Analysis
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Ocean Remote Sensing & Image Analysis
Professors: LTDavid
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Introduction to Satellite Remote Sensing; Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Marine Natural Products & Biomedical Research
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Advanced Methods in Natural Products & Biomedical Research
Professors: LSReyes
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
This course is designed for graduate students in the field of natural products chemistry and biotechnology. The the discovery, structure elucidation and biological activity evaluation of marine natural products. We will look at developments in these fields and how these were applied in recent success stories of drug discovery from marine organisms.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Marine Natural Products & Biomedical Research
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Data Analysis Methods in Oceanography
Professors: CLVillanoy / LTDavid/CRepollo
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
The process and outputs of modeling have played important roles in helping to increase our understanding of various complex systems. Modeling enables the synthesis of knowledge on these complex ecological systems, and allows us to simulate and analyze their dynamics. This course will give an introduction into the development and analysis of ecological models. It will provide an overview on the approaches and the model types using a hands-on approach.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the concept and process of ecological modeling.
- Discuss different approaches to ecological modeling
- Conceptualize, implement and analyze an ecological model.
SEMINAR
MS 396 – Seminar 1: Current Topics in Marine Science (for all MS students)
Course Number: MS 396
Course Title: Current Topics in Marine Science
Professors: All MSI Faculty
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 1 unit; every PhD student shall complete one seminar course every other year after 12 u of courses have been credited to his/her program of study; MS students shall complete only one seminar course.
Course Description:
Readings and public presentation on current research, issues and topics.
Learning Objectives:
MS 396 – Seminar (Marine Biology)
Course Number: MS 396
Course Title: Advanced Methods in Natural Products
Professors:
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 1 unit; every PhD student shall complete one seminar course every other year after 12 u of courses have been credited to his/her program of study; MS students shall complete only one seminar course.
Course Description:
A weekly seminar covering new insights and recent advances shaping the interdisciplinary field of marine biology.
Learning Objectives:
SECOND SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
MS 230 – Geological Oceanography
Course Number: MS 230
Course Title: Geological Oceanography
Professors: FPSiringan / CBJaraula
Prerequisite: Geo 11 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
An introduction to the origin, morphology, structure and processes of the sea floor and ocean margins (for non-geology majors).
Learning Objectives:
- The course will introduce students to the concept of the geological oceanography as a fundamental component of ocean studies that graduate students are expected to know. Background material from this course collates essential knowledge from solid-earth geophysics, geochemistry, sedimentology, and stratigraphy, coastal processes, and climate to discuss plate tectonics, volcanism, rock and sediment deposits, shallow water and deep sea processes, paleoceanography, climate and sea level changes. Global and regional-scale processes are discussed in the context of short- and long-term timescales to instill the connectivity of feedbacks between mechanisms and impacts to the chemical, biological and physical processes.
MS 240 – Biological Oceanography
Course Number: MS 240
Course Title: Biological Oceanography
Professors: DFOnda / CConaco
Prerequisite: MS 210 or MS 201
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The relationship of biological systems to the marine physico-chemical environment.
Learning Objectives:
- To provide an overview of basic concepts (fundamentals) alongside cutting edge research developments in the various fields (including microbiology and molecular aspects).
- To develop critical and analytical thinking, so the students can be spun off to explore fields on their own which interest them and which they can study in greater depth.
- To develop originality in their pursuit of science; be creative, innovative, willing to go out on a limb
- To do independent research in any field of their choice, AND publish it in the international primary literature.
MS 272 – Marine Biotechnology I
Course Number: MS 272
Course Title: Marine Biotechnology 1
Professors: AOLluisma
Prerequisite: Undergraduate-level courses in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, and COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Principles of genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and genetic manipulation with emphasis on their application in the study of marine organisms.
Learning Objectives:
ELECTIVES
MS 213 – Dynamics of Oceans
Course Number: MS 213
Course Title: Dynamics of Oceans
Professors: CLVillanoy
Prerequisite: MS 210 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Dynamical principles which govern the behavior of the oceans in response to the effects of gravity, rotation, stratification, and other external forces.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the evolution of oceans and ocean chemistry.
- Discuss marine pollution and water quality issues.
- Discuss maine commodities.
- Explain the major forces which drive the different types of ocean motion.
- Discuss the distribution of temperature and salinity in the oceans and the processes that determine variations with depth and in the different ocean basins.
- Understand the scientific method and how it is applied towards understanding complex ocean dynamics and its relation to marine ecosystem.
MS 216 – Numerical Ocean Modeling (on demand)
Course Number: MS 221
Course Title: Marine Geochemistry
Professors: CBJaraula
Prerequisite: MS 220 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The study of oceans as a geochemical systems with emphasis on global biogeochemical cycles.
Learning Objectives:
MS 217 – Coastal and Estuarine Oceanography
Course Number: MS 217
Course Title: Coastal and Estuarine Oceanography
Professors: LTDavid
Prerequisite: MS 210 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Ocean dynamics modified by thermohaline effects, presence of coast and shallow bathymetry.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding of fluid flow and fluid-solid interaction in the marine environment.
- Understanding of the physical processes responsible for shaping coastal and estuarine environments.
- An appreciation of the action of waves and tides from coastal to oceanic environments and their prediction.
MS 222 – Chemistry of Marine Coastal Environments (every odd year)
Course Number: MS 222
Course Title: Chemistry of Marine Coastal Environments
Professors: CMFerrera / CBJaraula
Prerequisite: MS 220 or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Applications of principles of chemical oceanography to the understanding of various coastal systems including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and estuaries.
Learning Objectives:
MS 242 – Marine Microbiology
Course Number: MS 242
Course Title: Marine Microbiology
Professors: CGConaco
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The diversity and role of marine microorganisms in energy flow and biogeochemical cycling. The course coverage will include the genotypic and metabolic diversity of marine prokaryotes, their essential roles in bioelement cycling, their importance in symbiosis and pathogenicity, and their role as an indispensable backbone in a multitude of research topics in marine biotechnology. To further introduce students to the exciting field of microbial oceanography, key papers will be selected for in-depth discussion in the class.
Learning Objectives:
- The goal of this course is to familiarize students with concepts and tools in microbiology with emphasis on the study of marine microorganisms and their roles in ocean ecosystems.
MS 246 – Marine Phytoplankton
Course Number: MS 246
Course Title: Marine Phytoplankton
Professors: DFLOnda
Prerequisite: Phycology or Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Marine phytoplankton and their role in primary productivity.
Learning Objectives:
- In this course, students will be introduced to the basic biology and ecology of phytoplankton species mainly focusing on their diversity, distribution, functions and adaptations in the marine environment. Special topics such as the application of phytoplankton in energy and pharmaceutical biotech, occurrence of harmful algal blooms and their roles in potentially mitigating climate change will also be discussed.
- The students are also expected to gain knowledge on traditional and emerging tools and methods used in studying phytoplankton, mainly the eukaryotic protists.
MS 250 – Marine Ecology
Course Number: MS 250
Course Title: Marine Ecology
Professors: MYRoleda
Prerequisite: Undergraduate ecology or Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Fundamental ecological principles as applied to the marine environment.
Learning Objectives:
MS 251 – Population Biology of Marine Organisms
Course Number: MS 251
Course Title: Population Biology of Marine Organisms
Professors: PCCabaitan
Prerequisite: Consistent with Marine Ecology and Biological Oceanography or equivalent
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Study of populations of marine organisms, factors that regulate their size, interspecific interactions, and their life history strategies.
Learning Objectives:
MS 252 – Marine Biogeography
Course Number: MS 252
Course Title: Marine Biogeography
Professors: PMAliño / MVBRodriguez / RRGotanco
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Understanding the spatio-temporal variability in the distribution patterns of marine biota and the dynamic processes which cause these patterns.
Learning Objectives:
MS 254 – Seagrasses and Mangroves
Course Number: MS 254
Course Title: Seagrasses and Mangroves
Professors: MYRoleda
Prerequisite: Taxonomy of Higher Plants, consistent with Marine Ecology or equivalent
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Distribution and production ecology of seagrasses and mangroves with emphasis on their role in the productivity and stability of coastal habitats.
Learning Objectives:
MS 258 – Marine Fishes
Course Number: MS 258
Course Title: Marine Fishes
Professors: RAAbesamis
Prerequisite: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Taxonomy, morphology and ecology of marine fishes.
Learning Objectives:
- To increase appreciation of the evolutionary history and taxonomic diversity of marine fishes.
- To familiarize the basic physiological and behavioral adaptations of fishes to their environment.
- To develop skills in identifying marine fishes, with emphasis on coral reef fishes.
- To discuss some issues concerning the conservation of fish diversity and fisheries management.
MS 260 – Marine Biodiversity
Course Number: MS 260
Course Title: Marine Biodiversity
Professors: ATYñiguez / RRGotanco / MVBRodriguez
Prerequisite: Undergraduate Ecology course or Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The variety, variability and natural relations of marine living organisms viewed at the structural (organismal to ecosystem) level.
Learning Objectives:
- Increase familiarity on important biodiversity concept.
- Understand the factors that control patterns of marine biodiversity.
- Discuss key issues concerning in marine biodiversity research and conservation.
- Develop skills in using traditional and current methods to describe and measure biodiversity over different scales.
- Reinforce concepts of experimental design and hypothesis-testing.
MS 273 – Marine Biotechnology II (every odd year)
Course Number: MS 273
Course Title: Marine Biotechnology II
Professors: ETYu
Prerequisite: MS 272
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Molecular, biotechnological, and related techniques in the study and utilization of marine organisms.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss methods related to structural and functional characterization of proteins;
- Discuss methods to modify and produce proteins for biotech applications.
MS 278 – Marine Natural Products (every even year)
Course Number: MS 278
Course Title: Marine Natural Products
Professors: LSReyes
Prerequisite: MS 270 or Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Survey of natural products from marine organisms : chemistry, biosynthesis, isolation, purification and biological activity.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the classes of natural products from marine organisms.
- Examine the production machinery and biosynthetic routes among marine organisms.
- Discuss the isolation, purification, and biological activity techniques for marine-derived compounds.
MS 280 – Management of Marine Resources (every even year)
Course Number: MS 280
Course Title: Management of Marine Resources
Professors: MAJMeñez / MVBRodriguez / MPAtrigenio
Prerequisite: Plant Morphoanatomy, Fundamentals of Ecology or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Biological and economic concepts for developing and managing the living resources of the sea.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand the theory and practice of ecosystem-based management as applied to coastal and marine systems
MS 283 – Marine Agronomy
Course Number: MS 283
Course Title: Marine Agronomy
Professors: WJESantiañez
Prerequisite: MS 260 or equivalent
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Ecology and culture of economically important seaweeds and the utilization of their products.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand the biology and ecology of farmed seaweeds and their production technologies.
- To critically evaluate the drivers of success and challenges in developing and sustaining the global seaweed industry.
MS 361 – Reproductive Biology of Marine Organisms
Course Number: MS 361
Course Title: Reproductive Biology of Marine Organisms
Professors: MAJMeñez
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Reproduction in major groups of marine organisms with special reference to cycles and periodicity, in relation to internal and external control mechanisms.
Learning Objectives:
- Review diversity of marine life histories and modes of reproduction.
- Understand processes involved in reproduction at different biological levels (molecular to populations).
- Understand ecological factors that affect different aspects of reproduction.
- RUnderstand evolutional factors that shape reproductive strategies.
- Learn various methods and approaches in investivationg different aspects of reproductive biology and ecology of marine organisms.
MS 366 – Population Genetics of Marine Organisms
Course Number: MS 366
Course Title: Population Genetics of Marine Organisms
Professors: RRGotanco
Prerequisite: Undergraduate genetics or COI
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The principles of population genetics with emphasis on the application of genetic markers for the assessment and management of wild and cultured organisms.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Ocean Energy
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Ocean Energy
Professors: LTDavid
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Seaweed Utilization
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Seaweed Utilization
Professors: IBRodriguez
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
The increasing demand for food has put a lot of pressure to produce more and find alternative sources of nutrients required to sustain the increasing population. Seaweeds are an excellent source of food, high value products for pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications. The vast potential of seaweed utilization will be discussed from the perspective of its chemical composition and the methodologies required for its processing.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Physical-Biological Interactions in the Oceans
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Physical-Biological Interactions in the Oceans
Professors: ATYñiguez
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units.
Course Description:
Qualitative and quantitative interactions and variabilities in coupled physical-biological systems in ocean systems at differing time and spatial scales.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss mechanisms and processes influencing biological patterns such as biomass, productivity, and trophic interactions from the micro to macro-scales.
- Discuss the variations that occur in these biophysical systems.
- Provide examples on the methodologies and strategies to further investigate ocean ecosystems.
- Use and apply simple models to explore biophysical systems.
MS 397 – Special Topics: Algal Life Histories and Reproduction
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Algal Life Histories and Reproduction
Professors: WJESantiañez
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Discussions and practical exercises towards understanding the diverse life histories and reproductive strategies of seaweeds.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand and appreciate the complexity of algal life histories and reproduction
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of seaweed life history variations
- Discuss genetic and environmental factors regulating seaweed life cycles and reproduction
- Obtain skills in culturing and maintaining seaweeds under laboratory conditions to elucidate seaweed life cycle and reproduction
MS 397 – Special Topics: Algal Photobiology and Photochemistry
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Algal Photobiology and Photochemistry
Professors: MYRoleda
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Application of Satellite Altimetry (as needed)
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Application of Satellite Altimetry
Professors: CLVillanoy
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Mixing in Estuarine and Coastal Waters
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Mixing in Estuarine and Coastal Waters
Professors: LTDavid
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Applications of Isotope Geochemistry in Marine Sciences
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Applications of Isotope Geochemistry in Marine Sciences
Professors: CBJaraula
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: Marine Observation Systems
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Marine Observation Systems
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Applied Multivariate Data Analysis
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Applied Multivariate Data Analysis
Professors: MJRPante
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Research in the marine sciences deal with a wide range of data. Multivariate statistical techniques are particularly appropriate for analyzing many variables simultaneously. This course will cover some of the principles of the multivariate analysis and the most common multivariate analyses techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA); Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA); Canonical Variante Analysis (CVA); Canonical Correlations (CanCor); Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The course will help prepare students for research by learning and doing multivariate data analysis; be introduced to approaches that are increasingly being used to discover and analyze multivariate data and provide a tool to carry them out (R and R studio).
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Seaweed and Seagrass Research Methods
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Seaweed and Seagrass Research Methods
Professors: MYRoleda
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Techniques in Coral Reef Ecology
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Techniques in Coral Reef Ecology
Professors: PCCabaitan
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Methods in monitoring abiotic and biotic parameters in coral reef ecosystems, highlighting key indicator processes for reef degradation and recovery
Learning Objectives:
- Learn principles involved in monitoring coral reef ecology parameters.
- Develop skills in monitoring biotic and abiotic components of coral reefs.
- Process ecological data and frame these in the context of the state of health of the monitored coral reef.
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Molecular Biology Methods for Marine Science
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Molecular Biology Methods for Marine Science
Professors: CGConaco / RRGotanco
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Methods in monitoring abiotic and biotic parameters in coral reef ecosystems, highlighting key indicator processes for reef degradation and recovery.
Learning Objectives:
- This course is designed for students with little to no molecular biology background who are interested in exploring research questions in marine science that dive deep into the level of the gene. The course aims to familiarize students with the fundamental techniques in molecular biology, their applications to marine science, as well as recent developments that are fast changing the way in which we understand the oceans. By the end of the course, students are expected to have developed a better understanding of techniques, as well as the skills that will enable them to make use of these in their studies.
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Elucidation of Natural Products (every odd year)
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Elucidation of Natural Products
Professors: LSReyes
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Practical Mass Spectrometry for Marine Scientists
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Practical Mass Spectrometry for Marine Scientists
Professors:
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of mass spectrometry (e.g., instrumentation, methods, and spectral interpretation). Emphasis will be on the application of mass spectrometric techniques for the structural characterization and functional analysis of biomolecules.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the fundamentals of mass spectrometry ( methods, instrumentation);
- Know basic MS data analysis;
- Learn how MS is used to identify biomolecules ( metabolites, glycans, proteins, etc.)
SEMINAR
MS 396 – Seminar (Marine Biotechnology)
Course Number: MS 396
Course Title: Marine Biotechnology
Professors:
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 1 unit; every PhD student shall complete one seminar course every other year after 12 u of courses have been credited to his/her program of study; MS students shall complete only one seminar course.
Course Description:
A weekly seminar covering new insights and recent advances shaping the interdisciplinary field of marine biotechnology.
Learning Objectives:
MS 396 – Seminar (Physical Sciences)
Course Number: MS 396
Course Title: Physical Sciences
Professors:
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 1 unit; every PhD student shall complete one seminar course every other year after 12 u of courses have been credited to his/her program of study; MS students shall complete only one seminar course.
Course Description:
A weekly seminar covering new insights and recent advances shaping the interdisciplinary field of oceanography.
Learning Objectives:
MIDYEAR
MS 397 – Special Topics: Microbial Oceanography
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Microbial Oceanography
Professors: DFLOnda
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
OTHER COURSE OFFERINGS (ON DEMAND)
MS 397 – Experimental Methods in Marine Natural Products and Biomedical Research
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Experimental Methods in Marine Natural Products and Biomedical Research
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
This course is designed for graduate students in the field of natural products chemistry and biotechnology. The course will cover the advanced methods for the discovery, structure elucidation and biological activity evaluation of marine natural products. We will look at developments in these fields and how these were applied in recent success stories of drug discovery from marine organisms.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the classes of natural products from marine organisms.
- Examine the production machinery and biosynthetic routes among marine organisms.
- Discuss the isolation, purification, and biological activity techniques for marine-derived compounds.
MS 397 – Applications of Molecular Biology and Biochem Techniques to Marine Studies
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Applications of Molecular Biology and Biochem Techniques to Marine Studies
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Development of Bioassays for Marine Samples for Assessment of Therapeutic Potential
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Development of Bioassays for Marine Samples for Assessment of Therapeutic Potential
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Molecular Targets of Anticancer Agents
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Molecular Targets of Anticancer Agents
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Biological Structures
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Biological Structures
Professors: LTDavid
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Fundamental principles underlying the structural organization and progression of molecules, cells, organisms, ecosystems and human society.
Learning Objectives:
- To demonstrate, over a broad range of living and non-living systems, fundamental principles of organization and emergence drawing from, among others, the science of complexity.
- Once critical nodes and pathways are understood in any system, to explore possible interventions to direct system dynamics towards desired states.
MS 397 – Emerging Marine Non-Model Organisms
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Emerging Marine Non-Model Organisms
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Discussions on research using marine non-model organisms that are emerging as important tools in understanding the fundamental aspects of biology, ecology, and evolution.
Learning Objectives:
- To familiarize students with current trends in research on marine organisms, the fundamental questions that are being asked, and the tools that are being utilized to answer these questions.
- To provide students with an appreciation of the breakthroughs in scientific research that are being accomplished through studies in diverse marine organisms.
MS 398 – Practical Computer Programming (every odd year)
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Practical Computer Programming
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
The ability to write a computer program provides significant benefits to students/scientists. Writing your own software or scripts can give you power to crunch data faster and more efficiently, to analyze data in ways not possible with available software, to automate repetitive computing tasks, to take immediate advantage of recent developments in computing technologies (e.g., multicore and GPGPU computing), or to create software that you can share with fellow students/scientists. Meant for students with no previous programming experience, this course is an introduction to computer programming using an easy to learn but powerful and versatile computer language.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Practical Scientific Computing – Python
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Practical Scientific Computing – Python
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Structure Determination of Complex Natural Products
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Structure Determination of Complex Natural Products
Professors:
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
This course is designed for graduate students in the field of marine natural products chemistry. The rigorous structure determination of natural products will be discussed. The major objective is for students to be able to elucidate the structure of any organic small molecule at the end of the course.
Learning Objectives:
- Use and apply mass spectrometry and numclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1D and 2D NMR methods) in elucidating the planar structure of marine natural products;
- Discuss existing methodologies to determine the absolute configuration of marine natural products.
MS 398 – Geometric Morphometrics
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Geometric Morphometrics
Professors:
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units
Course Description:
Geometric morphometrics (GM) is a tool to describe and statistically analyze shape variation within and among samples. Cartesian landmark and semi-landmark coordinates are used to capture the distinct shape variables. The main goal of GM is to quantify morphological similarity and differences among diverse samples such as animals and plants. Analyses can be performed on live and museum samples and even fossils. Multivariate analyses such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) shall be used to analyze data.
Learning Objectives:
COURSES OFFERED WITH NO CURRENT SCHEDULE INDICATED
MS 397 – Special Topics: Coastal Geomorphology
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: Coastal Geomorphology
Professors: FPSiringan
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 397 – Special Topics: The Sediment Record of Environmental Change
Course Number: MS 397
Course Title: The Sediment Record of Environmental Change
Professors: FPSiringan
Prerequisite:
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Discussions on current and emerging topics/issues in the marine sciences.
Learning Objectives:
MS 398 – Advanced Methods in Marine Science: Analysis of Molecular Sequences (Every even year)
Course Number: MS 398
Course Title: Analysis of Molecular Sequences
Professors:
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor (COI)
Credit: 3 units (may be repeated for additional credit as long as the topics are not the same).
Course Description:
Specialized techniques used in marine science research.
Learning Objectives:
PROFESSIONAL MASTERS IN TROPICAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (PM-TMEM)
FIRST TRIMESTER (12 units)
Module 1 – TMEM in the Coral Triangle
TMEM 201
Tropical Marine Ecosystems. Ecological foundations of tropical marine ecosystems
TMEM 210
Intercultural Understanding in the Management of Tropical Marine Ecosystems. Introduction of intercultural competence as an essential skill of effective tropical marine ecosystem managers
Module 2 – Fundamentals of Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management
TMEM 202
Dynamics of Tropical Marine Socio-Ecological Systems. Interactions of social, political, cultural, economic, and ecological issues in tropical marine ecosystems
TMEM 203
Marine Environmental Planning and Management. Principles and tools of marine environmental planning and management
SECOND TRIMESTER (9 units)
Module 3 – Management and Governance of Tropical Marine Ecosystems
TMEM 220
Marine Protected Area Management and Governance. Integration of socio-ecological systems and designs; legal frameworks, governance and administration principles, and sustainable financing schemes
TMEM 211
Communication in Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management. Concepts, principles, processes, and necessary tools of communicating knowledge, issues, and policies for stakeholders involved in tropical marine ecosystems management
Module 4 – Strategic Planning for Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management
TMEM 221
Strategic Planning for Marine Protected Areas. Application of strategic planning principles and tools for Marine Protected Areas
THIRD TRIMESTER (11 units)
Module 5 –Marine Protected Area Management Plan Implementation
TMEM 222
Implementation of the Marine Protected Area Management Plan. Management processes, systems and standards that support the day-to-day operations of single site Marine Protected Areas
TMEM 296
Seminar
Module 6 – Marine Protected Area Systems
TMEM 223
Marine Protected Area Networks and Large Marine Ecosystems. Networking and alliance building within and among local, provincial, and national entities for the governance of marine protected area networks and large marine ecosystems
FOURTH TRIMESTER (3 units)
Module 7 – Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Effectiveness and Good Governance
TMEM 297
Special Problem