MSCI 496 - Honors

Credits: (3)
Prerequisite(s): MSCI 390
This two-semester course sequence is intended to support students through the completion of independent honors theses in coastal and marine sciences. Students will develop study proposals, conduct mentored data collection, and present results. During the first semester students will develop skills required for completion, including generating hypotheses, compiling and synthesizing primary literature, designing figures, and communicating science. In the second semester students will complete the independent honors research study and a comprehensive exam in marine science, culminating in a written paper and a formal presentation and committee-led defense. It is expected that students choosing the honors research route will have completed at least one full semester and/or summer of research for pay or credit (e.g., MSCI 390) and therefore be at an advanced stage of data collection and analysis prior to their senior year. Enrollment is restricted to coastal and marine science majors, normally in their senior year, and is by instructor (primary research advisor) permission only. Note: For College provisions governing the Admission to Honors, see the Department Honors section of the catalog under Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree.