11.10 Ocean Sciences
The Department of Ocean Sciences is the newest Department within the Faculty of Science. It was created in 2012, from the transition of the Ocean Sciences Centre, a research unit and facility that was first opened in 1967. The Department's mandate as an interdisciplinary unit is to focus on increasing our understanding of biological and chemical processes within the oceans, and how they relate to aquaculture and other applied marine fields.
The Department offers graduate programs in Marine Biology outlined under School of Graduate Studies.
The Department offers the following undergraduate programs:
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Joint Major or Joint Honours in Marine Biology
Details of the Joint programs can be found under Joint Program Regulations.
Ocean Sciences course descriptions are found at the end of the Faculty of Science section under Course Descriptions, Ocean Sciences.
11.10.1 Minor in Oceanography
Students who take a Minor in Oceanography will complete 24 credit hours as follows:
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Earth Sciences 1000; and
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Six credit hours that can be selected from:
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Biology 3014, 3709, 3710, 3711, 3712, 3714, 3715, 4122, 4601, 4710, 4750, 4810;
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Ocean Sciences 2001, 3000, 3002, 3600, 4000, 4122, 4300, 4601;
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Physics and Physical Oceanography 3300, 3340, 4300, 4340; and
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Other applicable ocean-related courses, as approved by the Head of the Department (or delegate).
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Course prerequisites stipulated In the Course Descriptions section shall apply to the Minor in Oceanography.
11.10.2 Minor in Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries Ecology
Students who take a Minor in Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries Ecology will complete 24 credit hours as follows:
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six credit hours selected from: Ocean Sciences 2000, 3600, 3640, 4000, 4122, 4200, 4601, or other applicable courses at the 3000 level or above, as approved by the Head of the Department or delegate;
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three credit hours selected from:
Course prerequisites stipulated in the Course Descriptions shall apply to the Minor in Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries Ecology.
11.10.3 Major in Ocean Sciences and Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems)
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The Major in Ocean Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that provides a solid foundation in ocean studies, including the basic principles of its main sub-disciplines (physical, chemical, geological, and biological oceanography).
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The Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems) is a stream of the major that provides a geological/geographical context to biological and chemical phenomena in ocean sciences, and covers such key ocean-related topics as climate change and natural hazards.
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Students wishing to take one of these major programs are encouraged to carefully consult the Degree Regulations for the General Degree of Bachelor of Science.
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More information, including on how to declare a Major in Ocean Sciences, the recommended courses and time tables, can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies in Ocean Sciences.
11.10.3.1 Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems)
Admission to the Ocean Sciences Major Programs is based on academic standing. To be considered for admission, students must normally have completed 30 credit hours with a minimum of 24 credit hours in Science, and an overall average of at least 65%. It is recommended that the following courses be successfully completed before admission:
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Earth Sciences 1000;
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Six credit hours in Critical Reading and Writing (CRW) courses, including at least 3 credit hours in English courses;
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Ocean Sciences 1000 with a minimum grade of 65%; and
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Physics 1020 or (1050) or 3 credit hours in Ocean Sciences courses at the 2000 level.
Students are advised to consult with the Department at the earliest opportunity to prepare adequately for program admission. Each student majoring in Ocean Sciences will be assigned an advisor who should be consulted on academic issues, including course selection.
11.10.3.2 Program Regulations for the Major in Ocean Sciences
Students must successfully complete:
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the 30 specified credit hours required under Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems);
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Statistics 2550 or any of the courses listed in the credit restrictions of Statistics 2550;
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a minimum of 30 credit hours in Ocean Sciences, including:
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Ocean Sciences 2000, 2001, 2100 and at least one of 2500 or 4500 (or Biology 3709 or 4710). Ocean Sciences 1000, successfully completed under Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems), will count as 3 of the required 30 credit hours in Ocean Sciences;
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at least 9 credit hours in Ocean Sciences courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 level.
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extra Science courses as necessary to fulfil the minimum requirement for 78 credit hours in Science as stipulated under Electives of the Degree Regulations for the General Degree of Bachelor of Science. The program should include a minimum of 15 credit hours in Science courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 level; and
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elective courses as necessary to make up the total of 120 credit hours.
11.10.3.3 Program Regulations for the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems)
Students must successfully complete:
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the 30 credit hours required under Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems);
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Statistics 2550 or any of the courses listed in the credit restrictions of Statistics 2550;
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Geography 1050, and at least two of Geography 2102, 2195, or 2425;
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at least 9 credit hours at the 3000 and/or 4000 level chosen from:
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a minimum of 30 credit hours in Ocean Sciences, including:
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Ocean Sciences 2000, 2001, 2100 and at least one of 2500 or 4500 (or Biology 3709 or 4710). Ocean Sciences 1000, successfully completed under Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems), will count as 3 of the required 30 credit hours in Ocean Sciences;
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at least 9 credit hours in Ocean Sciences courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 level.
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elective courses as necessary to make up the total of 120 credit hours.
11.10.4 Honours in Ocean Sciences
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The Honours in Ocean Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that provides a solid foundation in ocean studies, including the basic principles of its main sub-disciplines (physical, chemical, geological, and biological oceanography). Possession of this degree will be of great advantage to students planning advanced work or graduate studies in a marine science field.
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The Honours in Ocean Sciences requires a minimum of 45 credit hours in Ocean Sciences as outlined below. The program includes a prescribed number of courses at the 3000/4000 level as well as mandatory successfully completion of Ocean Sciences 499A/B, which consist of supervised research leading to the submission and oral defence of a dissertation.
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The Honours program may comprise a broad base of courses following the model of the generic Major in Ocean Sciences or be more specifically focused, in line with the stream in Environmental Systems. Upon admission, the student’s Honours program will be defined in consultation with the student's supervisor, and approved by the Head of the Department (or delegate) in accordance with the Degree Regulations for the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science.
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Students considering this program are strongly encouraged to carefully consult the Degree Regulations for the General Degree of Bachelor of Science.
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In addition to the information below, further information, including the admission process, program requirements, the recommended courses, and time tables, can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies in Ocean Sciences.
11.10.4.1 Admission Requirements for the Honours in Ocean Sciences
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Admission to the Ocean Sciences Honours Program is based on academic standing. Students should be enrolled in one of the Major programs offered by the Department of Ocean Sciences before applying to the Honours, normally upon completing the third year of their program. For admission to the Honours program, students shall, at a minimum, have completed all admission requirements for their Major program.
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Students should plan well in advance to ensure they have completed all the appropriate prerequisites. Entry to required courses may be limited and determined by academic performance. Students are advised to consult with the Department at the earliest opportunity to prepare adequately for program admission. Each student registered in the Honours will be assigned an advisor who should be consulted on academic issues, including course selection.
11.10.4.2 Program Regulations for the Honours in Ocean Sciences
Students must successfully complete:
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the 30 credit hours required under Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems);
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Chemistry 2400 (or equivalent). Chemistry 2440 will be accepted as a substitute for Chemistry 2400. However, a number of advanced Science courses may require Chemistry 2400 and 2401. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to successfully complete the Chemistry 2400/2401 sequence or otherwise carefully plan their options;
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Statistics 2550 or any of the courses listed in the credit restrictions of Statistics 2550;
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a minimum of 12 credit hours chosen from:
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a minimum of 45 credit hours in Ocean Sciences, including:
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Ocean Sciences 2000, 2001, 2100, 2200, 2300 and at least one of 2500 or 4500 (or Biology 3709 or 4710). Ocean Sciences 1000, successfully completed under Admission Requirements for the Major in Ocean Sciences or the Major in Ocean Sciences (Environmental Systems), will count as 3 of the required 45 credit hours in Ocean Sciences;
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at least 18 credit hours in Ocean Sciences courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 level.
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Ocean Sciences 499A/B; and
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elective courses as necessary to make up the total of 120 credit hours including a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 3000 and/or 4000 level in any of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Geography, Human Biosciences, Ocean Sciences or Physics (these 15 credit hours can include courses completed as part of the requirements in 5.b. but not those required as part of 6. above).
Those courses in which a grade "B" or an average of 75% or higher are required to graduate with an Honours degree as per clause 1. of Academic Standing in the Degree Regulations for the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science, are the Ocean Sciences courses at the 2000, 3000 and/or 4000 level, and 15 credit hours in courses at the 3000 and/or 4000 level in any of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Geography, Human Biosciences, or Physics.
Students should be aware of a number of credit restrictions and refer to the Course Descriptions section for information.
11.10.4.3 Honours Dissertation
The dissertation is a crucial part of the program. It involves an original piece of research undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department of Ocean Sciences (or someone holding cross-appointment or adjunct status in the Department), as approved by the Head of the Department. This segment of the program is Ocean Sciences 499A/B, a two-semester, 6 credit hour linked course, where a grade of PAS in 499A is required in the first semester in order to proceed to 499B.
Work conducted during Ocean Sciences 499A/B includes directed reading relevant to the dissertation topic, preparation of a dissertation outline, supervised research, data analysis and interpretation, a written dissertation and an oral defence. Electronic copies of the dissertation, complete with figures and tables, are to be submitted to the student’s supervisor and to the Head of the Department not less than two weeks before the end of lectures in the semester in which the student is registered for Ocean Sciences 499B.
The student will be examined orally on the contents of the dissertation, normally before the last day for examinations in the semester. The examining committee shall consist of the Head of the Department (or delegate), the student's supervisor, and an examiner appointed by the Head of the Department in consultation with the student's supervisor.
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