University of South Carolina Columbia
Act 629 - Summary Reports on Institutional Effectiveness
Fiscal Year 2001 - 2002

Marine Sciences, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

In response to student evaluations, exit interviews, and general comments by current students, we have enhanced programmatic offerings in the areas of geographical information systems and environmental policy. New courses in the Department of Geography are allowed to count for Marine Science major credit, and a new course, Science and Environmental Policy, has been introduced into the curriculum. A proposal has been written to construct additional GIS facilities in the Marine Science laboratories; although not funded, the proposal is being resubmitted. More than ever, students are demanding opportunities to perform research at the undergraduate level, and we are responding by developing a variety of research internship programs, incorporating research skills development into core laboratories, and supporting research projects performed by marine science student groups.

Students have demanded increasing use of modern technology in their basic courses, and with the advent of a laboratory fee and the move into new facilities, faculty have significantly enhanced the technical capabilities of laboratories. Marine Science laboratories are now equipped with "state of the art" computers which allow faculty to teach students modern methods of data gathering and analysis. These computers are also tied into the Internet, which allows students to obtain oceanographic data directly from satellite feeds. Students also seek more opportunities in combining marine science with environmental health, public health and education. Faculty are addressing this at the graduate level, but not yet for undergraduates, because these are graduate programs at USC.

In the future, faculty need to continue to revise and upgrade laboratory exercises in the core courses. Advisement has always been a strength of the Marine Science Program, but with the advent of new interdisciplinary emphases and addition of new faculty, faculty must continue to make advisement comprehensive and timely. They also continue to seek ways to provide field and research experiences to undergraduates.