SEA Semester

• CAS NS 221: Oceanography
  A survey of the characteristics and processes of the global ocean. Oceanographic concepts are introduced and developed from their bases in biology, physics, chemistry, and geology.
• CAS NS 222: Maritime Studies
  A multidisciplinary study of the history, literature, and art of our maritime heritage, and the political and economic problems of contemporary maritime affairs.
• CAS NS 223: Nautical Science
  An introduction to the technologies of operation at sea. The concepts of navigation (piloting, celestial, and electronic), naval architecture, ship construction, marine engineering systems, and the physics of sail are taught from their bases in astronomy, mathematics, and physics.
• CAS NS 224: Practical Oceanographic Research
  This course in oceanography is designed to provide the student with a knowledge of the equipment and methodology used in the study of the oceans. Each student collects and analyzes data in support of a research project in a selected aspect of oceanography aboard the SSV Westward or SSV Corwith Cramer.
• CAS NS 320: Ocean Science and Public Policy
  Examines the connections among science, culture, and marine related public policy. Through a case study of a single policy issue, explores the power, use, and limitations of science and the scientist's voice in determining ocean policy.
• CAS NS 321: Oceans in the Global Carbon Cycle
  An exmination of the role of the oceans in the climate system, addressing topics such as the global carbon cycle, the thermohaline circulation, and aspects of global change including warming and sea level rise.
• CAS NS 322: Maritime History and Culture
  Examines the impact of maritime ventures on the societies they contacted. Focus on the resulting social, political, economic, and cultural changes in the Atlantic and Pacific, and on responses documented in the post-Colonial literature of indigenous people.
• CAS NS 323: Marine Environmental History
  Sources and methods of the historian are used to examine the role of human societies in environmental change in the oceans and coastal regions, including overfishing, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
• CAS NS 450: Advanced Topics in Biological Oceanography
  In-depth treatment of a single topic in biological oceanography. Extensive review of classical and contemporary literature. Introduction and practice of current laboratory techniques. Oral presentation and research paper required. Topics may include marine plankton ecology, biodiversity, and satellite oceanography.
• CAS NS 460: Advanced Ocean Policy Research
  Advanced policy research focusing on a topic of current importance. Emphasis on theoretical concepts, research methods, and communication. Requires critical review paper, original research, final report, and final presentation. Projected topics include fisheries, biodiversity, marine spatial planning, and cultural heritage.
• XAS NS 225: Practical Oceanography I
  Must be taken in conjunction with XAS NS 226 aboard oceanographic research vessel SSV Westward or SSV Corwith Cramer. Theories and problems raised in the shore component are tested in the practice of oceanography at sea. Students are introduced to the tools and techniques of the practicing oceanographer. During two lectures daily and while standing watch, students learn the operation of basic oceanographic equipment, the methodologies involved in the collection, reduction, and analysis of oceanographic data, and the attendant operations of a sailing oceanographic research vessel.
• XAS NS 226: Practical Oceanography II
  Students assume increasing responsibility for conducting oceanographic research and the attendant operations of the vessel. The individual student is responsible directly to the chief scientist and the master of the vessel for the safe and orderly conduct of research activities and related operations of the vessel. Each student undertakes an individual research project designed during the shore component.
• XAS NS 324: Oceanographic Field Methods
  How to safely deploy and recover modern oceanographic sampling instruments, conduct shipboard laboratory research, analyze oceanographic data, and operate a fully equipped laboratory at sea.
• XAS NS 325: Directed Research in Oceans and Climate
  Collecting, analyzing, and presenting data for student-designed projects. An original research project in oceanography is completed under the guidance of the Chief Scientist on board the vessel from which the data is gathered.

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