Topics include issues in the forefront of marine science. During the course they are given guidance regarding how to critique a paper. The features of an excellent presentation are also discussed. This course covers scientific, management and policy issues of estuarine and coastal environments. Lectures will include process oriented problems.
Topics covered include pollution, eutrophication, disease processes and implications.
The course is given in lecture format, but students work alone, and then in smaller groups, at problem-solving exercises that form the basis for grading. For example, they are first asked to answer a synthesis question on their own. They then engage in an organized discussion with a workgroup composed of 5 or 6 other students to discuss their ideas. They then return to the question on their own and reformulate or expand their answer. The final product is the document that receives a grade.