Section One

Academic Calendar

The Texas A&M University System and University Administration

General Information

University Core Curriculum

Degree Information

Admission

Academic Fresh Start Policy

Course Credit and Testing

Registration and Academic Status

Grading System

Grade Reports

Section Two

Tuition, Fees and Other Financial Information

Student Financial Aid

Student Services

Student Life (Housing and Activities)

Corps of Cadets

Section Four

Course Descriptions

Section Five

Faculty

Section Six

Texas Common Course Numbering System

Previous Catalogs

Previous Catalogs

Welcome to the Texas A&M University at Galveston
2007 - 2008 Catalog No. 130

Section Three

View Section Two  in a printable PDF Version

Academic Curricula (Undergraduate)

Marine Biology
Marine Biology/Biomedical Sciences Certificate Program
Marine Fisheries
Marine Engineering Technology
Marine Sciences
Marine Transportation
Maritime Administration
Maritime Studies
Maritime Systems Engineering
Ocean and Coastal Resources
University Studies (Marine Environmental Law and Policy)
Teacher Certification

Graduate Studies

Academic Curricula (Undergraduate)

Curriculum in Marine Biology (MARB) 

The Department of Marine Biology offers these three degree programs: Marine Biology (MARB), Marine Biology License Option (MARB/LO) and Marine Fisheries (MARF). These curricula are subject to the following rules and requirements: 

The student shall have earned at least a grade of C in BIOL 111 and 112. Students may not advance to BIOL 112 until a grade or C of better is earned in 111. 

Transfer students must have a minimum GPR of 2.25 or approval of the MARB Department Head to be admitted to the Department. Transfer students with the required courses who meet the criteria listed above may be admitted directly into the MARB, MARB/LO and MARF degree programs. 

Preference for available seats in courses in the Department will be given to students who have been admitted to the degree program. If additional spaces are available, students from other departments for whom courses in the Department are on their program of study, and who meet the course prerequisites, may be enrolled. 

It is the student’s responsibility to satisfactorily complete prerequisite coursework before enrolling in more advanced courses. 

The Marine Biology program provides an excellent education in the biological sciences through studies undertaken in a unique coastal environment. The curriculum offers broad training in general biology, while emphasizing the local flora and fauna in estuaries and the marine environment. Students receive hands-on field sampling experience as well as internship opportunities.  

Through a partnership with the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, students in the Marine Biology curriculum may pursue a Certificate in Biomedical Sciences. 

Students majoring in Marine Biology can be eligible for a secondary teaching field in Life Sciences pending a passing score on the state certification test (ExCET). See the Teacher Certification section of this catalog. 

Note: All electives must be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the student’s academic advisor. See University Core Curriculum for a listing of course options for humanities and social sciences electives. The 6-hour University Core Curriculum requirement for international and cultural diversity may be met with courses used to satisfy other degree requirements. Up to 4 hours of MARB 485 and/or MARB 484 may be substituted for courses in your curriculum. Please consult with your academic advisor. 

* - Must be taken S/U. 

†- Indicates required courses in the Marine Biology major. These courses will be used to compute the major GPR. 

‡- Other calculus, or logic elective may be substituted with approval. 

‡‡- The American history requirement may be fulfilled by American history courses offered at TAMUG, including HIST 370, 442 or 444. See Core Curriculum. 

** - MARB 430, which is offered in the Fall semester, can be substituted for MARB 408. 

§- 20 credit hours of biology electives required. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be taken from the following: BIOL 351, MARB 311, MARB 330,  MARB 400, MARB 410, MARB 430, MARB 466, MARS 360, MARS 361. For the remainder of the 20 hours of biology electives, students may take a maximum of two mammals courses (selected from MARB 400, MARB 401, MARB 403), one of the two MARB scientific diving courses (either 345 or 350), or any other MARB 300-400 level classes. 

***- The Earth Science elective may be chosen from GEOL 104, OCNG 251, METR 302 or courses approved by the student's academic advisor. 

****- Designated writing intensive course. 

¤-The total hours may be increased if the student is required to take remedial math, remedial English, foreign language or international and diverse cultures courses. 

Curriculum in Marine Biology with a License Option (MARB-LO) 

The Marine Biology License Option program allows the marine biology student to prepare for a career as an officer aboard a seagoing vessel by participating in the U.S. Maritime Service Corps of Cadets. The curriculum provides the basics of marine biology as well as courses leading toward licensing as a Third Mate of any gross tonnage upon oceans, steam, or motor vessels, in the U.S. Merchant Marine. 

The Marine Biology License Option curriculum is an abbreviated version of the Marine Biology curriculum and is oriented toward field activities consistent with service aboard research vessels. Students who wish to attend a biologically-oriented graduate program, or are interested in the medical professions, are advised to take additional coursework in developmental biology, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology. 

Cadets who enroll in and apply to graduate under one of the license option curricula must complete the appropriate license examination for Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer in order to graduate from Texas A&M University. Certain USCG courses require a minimum grade of C (70%). 

Note: All electives must be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the student’s academic advisor. See University Core Curriculum for a listing of course options for humanities and social sciences electives. The 6-hour University Core Curriculum requirement for international and cultural diversity may be met with courses used to satisfy other degree requirements. Please consult with your academic advisor. 

†-Indicates required courses in the Marine Biology License Option major. These courses will be used to compute the major GPR. 

‡‡-The American history requirement may be fulfilled by American history courses offered at TAMUG, including HIST 370, 442 or 444. See Core Curriculum.  

* - Indicates license courses leading to a USCG license endorsement or sea time credit accrual which require a minimum grade of C (70%) or better to earn the endorsement or accrual. Cadets will be required to repeat the course until they earn a grade of C (70%) or better. NAUT 307 requires a grade of 75% or better. 

** - Must be taken S/U. 

*** - Select from CPSC 100-499. 

¤-The total hours may be increased if the student is required to take remedial math, remedial English, foreign language or international and diverse cultures courses. 

Marine Biology/Biomedical Sciences Certificate Program 

This collaboration is intended to maximize the course offerings and resources of both the Biomedical Sciences program in College Station and the Marine Biology program in Galveston to provide students a greater wealth of opportunities. 

The certificate program prepares the graduate for careers in aquatic animal health, seafood technology and various marine related disciplines as well as advanced studies in veterinary medicine, human medicine, allied health, biological oceanography and related biological disciplines. The program provides depth in an applied understanding of aquatic animal health and disease. 

Because of limited resources the program will have a cap on the number of students admitted to the program. All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or better. The certificate will be awarded upon completion of a B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences or Marine Biology. 

Students desiring to obtain a certificate must have approval from the department granting the certificate. Students must have a cumulative 2.5 grade point ratio to be admitted to the certificate program and have completed BIOL 111, 112, CHEM 227 and 228. 

Interested students should visit with an academic advisor in the department offering the certificate at least one semester prior to entry to discuss departmental requirements as well as to select coursework appropriate to his or her individual interests. Students should also consult an academic advisor in the major to determine how the certificate coursework will be applied to the degree. Students should seek additional advising if planning to pursue admission to medical school or veterinary medicine school. 

Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (available to Marine Biology majors) 

Students will complete 15 semester credit hours in BIMS consisting of: 

At least 2 of the courses listed specifically as VAPH 305, VTPP 423 and VTPB 405 for 8 to 9 semester credit hours. 

VAPH 305 Biomedical Anatomy (4 sch). 

VTPP 423 Biomedical Physiology I  (4 sch). 

VTPB 405 Biomedical Microbiology (5 sch). 

2 to 3 additional courses selected from approved BIMS directed electives for 6 to 7 semester credit hours. 

Certificate in Marine Biology (available to Biomedical Sciences majors) 

Students will complete 15 semester credit hours in MARB consisting of: 

15 semester credit hours of approved marine biology electives (MARB prefix) chosen in consultation with an advisor. 

Minor in Marine Biology 

Students in other majors may establish a minor field of study in Marine Biology through completing 16 credits in any 300 or 400 level MARB course selected in consultation with a Marine Biology advisor. The student must have earned a C or better in BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. Only one of the two MARB scientific diving courses (either 345 or 350) can be used for the minor. 

Curriculum in Marine Fisheries (MARF) 

The curriculum in Marine Fisheries provides educational opportunities in the biological sciences, with emphasis on principles of marine fisheries management. Ecology, taxonomy, zoogeography, culture, and general biology of commercial species are emphasized. Course offerings are structured to provide not only a strong basis of formal academic instruction but also considerable hands-on field and collection experience by taking advantage of the coastal location of the University. A strong preparation in the sciences is recommended. 

Marine Fisheries graduates are prepared to work as fishery managers or research biologists for state and federal agencies, ecological consulting firms, industry, and educational institutions. Qualified degree recipients may undertake postgraduate studies in resource management, mariculture, systematics, seafood technology, and fisheries economics. 

† Indicates required courses in the Marine Fisheries major. These courses will be used to compute the major GPR. 

D -The American history requirement may be fulfilled by American history courses offered at TAMUG, including HIST 370, 442 or 444. See Core Curriculum.  

* - Must be taken S/U. 

‡ - Directed Elective must be selected from 300-400 level MARB courses or 200-300-400 level MATH or CPSC courses. Recommended elective courses include: Fish Physiology (MARB 335), Marine Parasitology (MARB 405), Aquatic Animal Nutrition (MARB 426), Introduction to Computing (CPSC 203), Biochemistry (MARS 360). 

¤-The total hours may be increased if the student is required to take remedial math, remedial English, foreign language or international and diverse cultures courses. 

Note: The 6-hour University Core Curriculum requirement for international and cultural diversity may be met with courses used to satisfy other degree requirements. Please consult with your academic advisor. 

Curriculum in Marine Engineering Technology (MARR) 

Texas A&M University at Galveston is a special purpose institution for teaching, research, and public service pertaining to marine and maritime studies in science, engineering, and business. The university is also the home of the Texas Maritime Academy. Within this context, the goal of the Department of Marine Engineering Technology is to prepare students for performing engineering work in the marine sector or marine-related shore-based industries involving the design, production, operation, maintenance, and management of engineering systems and projects. Opportunities for such work abound in the vicinity of the university, which is located just south of the fourth largest metropolis in the U.S. The Houston/Galveston area has extensive port facilities, considerable commercial, recreational, and military ship traffic, and ever-increasing offshore and onshore infrastructure associated with the oil industry. Career opportunities of various kinds (e.g. operational, management, leadership, etc.) are therefore available for these graduates who are ideally suited for working on ships, at port facilities, and at shore facilities, particularly in power generation, distribution, and concomitant auxiliary support systems. The program provides a license option and a non-license Option. The license option is intended for cadets of the US Maritime Service Corps who can then appear for the US Coast Guard’s license examination, enabling them to serve as engineering officers aboard sea-going vessels. 

Our goal is to provide students with a strong background in engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and analytical methods, which is reinforced by practical machine-shop and laboratory applications, including several on the training ship. The curriculum builds on a foundation of basic engineering topics such as fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, drafting, and materials science to develop inter-disciplinary skills required for the practice of marine engineering. In particular, the program’s objectives are to produce students who: (1) Can practice engineering pertaining to marine and facilities power systems and associated auxiliary systems (e.g. propulsion, electrical power generation and distribution, refrigeration, and air conditioning) in support of the maritime sector (the Navy, Coast Guard, and companies operating sea-going vessels), the offshore oil and gas industry, and companies involved in facilities management or shore-based power systems; in particular, to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain engineering systems intended to provide marine propulsion and electrical power; and (2) Are well-prepared to engage in lifelong education and professional development. 

Note: All electives must be chosen in consultation with, and approved by, the student’s academic advisor. See University Core Curriculum for a listing of course options for humanities and social sciences electives. The 6-hour University Core Curriculum requirement for international and cultural diversity may be met with courses used to satisfy other degree requirements. Please consult with your academic advisor. 

†-Indicates required courses in the Marine Engineering License Option major. These courses will be used to compute the major GPR. 

* - Indicates license courses leading to a USCG license endorsement or sea time credit accrual which require a minimum grade of C (70%) or better to earn the endorsement or accrual. Cadets will be required to repeat the course until they earn a grade of C (70%) or better. 

** - Must be taken S/U. 

‡-The American history requirement may be fulfilled by American history courses offered at TAMUG, including HIST 370, 442 or 444. See Core Curriculum.  

Ñ -Must complete 6-hours of humanities and 3-hours of social and behavioral sciences of which two courses must be designated as international and cultural diversity. Suggested courses are given in parenthesis. 

¤-The total hours may be increased if the student is required to take remedial math, remedial English, computer science, foreign language or if the humanities or social science requirements do not fulfill the international and diverse cultures requirement. 

Curriculum in Marine Engineering Technology Non-License Option (MARR-NLO) 

This program is designed to prepare the student for a career as an engineering technologist in the maritime profession.  The program is available in a License Option version for students who want to serve as an engineering officer aboard seagoing vessels and in a Non-License Option for students who want an education in maritime-related applied engineering but do not plan to serve at sea.  The MARE curriculum is a thermal power-oriented specialization of a classical Mechanical Engineering Technology program.  A thorough preparation in mathematics, science, and basic engineering courses is the foundation for further study in ship propulsion plants and electrical power generation and distribution equipment.  Marine Engineering Technology focuses on power cycles, principles, and methods used to convert the energy in fossil fuels into useful power, and the selection and operation of the major components and support systems in the power cycle.  Courses in marine engineering are supplemented with studies in naval architecture and maritime application of electrical engineering fundamentals.  The students’ education is enhanced through the use of computer simulation of propulsion plants and direct operation of marine machinery aboard the University’s training ship. This curriculum is pending approval.