Water Studies Institute (WSI)
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide an exploration to the field of water studies, with specific focus on freshwater. Students will discuss the impact of water related challenges and opportunities in the context of the great lakes of the world. Focus will be given to the new and emerging career and educational pathways associated with water resources and their management. In addition to regular class lectures, invited experts from business, education and community organizations will introduce relevant topics of local and global significance including policy, law, sustainable development, history, engineering, health, and commerce. Group 2 course Communications - Direct, Degree Req:Cultural Persp/Div, Infused: Writing Intensive.
Recommended Prerequisites: MTH 23, ENG 111 - may be taken concurrently.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
Advancements in Great Lakes research and monitoring techniques allow for an increased ability to access and assess remote locations through the use of enabling technologies and platforms including: Research Vessels, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), SONAR systems (single beam, multibeam, scanning) and oceanographic buoy systems. Focus will be directed at understanding the basics of how each component is used and gain firsthand experience operating systems and collecting information. Field activities will take place in local water bodies, Grand Traverse Bay and onboard the R/V Northwestern. Group 2 course.
Recommended Prerequisites: Recommended competencies: Ability to work/learn aboard R/V Northwestern and in the field. Completion of MTH 111 and ENG 111 or appropriate placement scores.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
This course provides a foundation for the use of acoustics in the marine environment while focusing on best practices for underwater search, survey and visualization programs. Multiple sonar systems are presented and are representative of current industry equipment, operations and practices. Emphasis is placed on understanding field applications where sonar platform, water depth and temperature, target range and size, acoustic frequency and object reflectivity/absorption have an effect on target detection, resolution and data accuracy. Group 2 course.
Required Prerequisites: MTH 111 or higher
Credit Hours: 1.5, Contact Hours: 2
This course provides training in the best use practices of multiple acoustic platforms for use in search and recovery operations typical to law enforcement, homeland security and first responders from multiple agencies. Group 2 course. Quantitative Reasoning.
Recommended Prerequisites: Prior use of sonar equipment in search and recovery applications.
Credit Hours: 2, Contact Hours: 3
This course provides both classroom theory and hands-on practicum/field operations performed individually and in groups. Emphasis areas include demonstrating techniques of sonar operations critical to sonar performance, sonar data collection and data interpretation for use in marine engineering, survey and underwater construction activities. Group 2 course. Quantitative Reasoning.
Recommended Prerequisites: Prior use of sonar equipment in marine engineering applications.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
This course builds upon the basics of GIS taught in GEO 115 - Introduction to GIS, with a focus on basic spatial analysis techniques using standard and maritime/marine datasets. More advanced cartographic methods and spatial data management techniques are introduced using ArcGIS Desktop, Hypack, and other computer tools. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Required Prerequisites: ENV 115 or GEO 115 with a 2.0 or higher
Recommended Prerequisites: Students must have intermediate computer and internet skills, typically acquired in ENV115 or GEO115 or similar.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of water law and policy and human relationships, use, threats, and conflicts over water and aquatic resources. The course emphasizes a new integrative approach to water issues based on the nexus of the water commons to health, food, quality of life, energy, climate change, ecosystem, and economy. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct, Critical Thinking - Direct, Degree Req:Cultural Persp/Div, Infused: Writing Intensive.
Required Prerequisites: ENG 111 and MTH 23 or higher, both may be taken concurrently
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
This course introduces the technology of remotely operated vehicles (ROV) as a system used for subsea activities including scientific study and research, subsea exploration and industrial applications. International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and Association for Diving Contractors International (ADCI) guidelines will be used for training. Students will gain firsthand experience operating the ROV for the purpose of collecting information from docks, piers, and research vessels. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Required Prerequisites: EET 103 and MTH 111 or higher.
Recommended Prerequisites: ENG 111; Recommended competencies: Students should have basic computer skills and be comfortable working around water from either a boat or dock/pier.
Credit Hours: 1-3, Contact Hours: 1-3
The internship in Freshwater Studies is a field experience for students interested in developing competencies to address significant water-related issues impacting our region and the world. Students engage in research activities with local and global community partners to collaborate in the implementation of best water management practices. The program is customized according to students' background and specific career goals. Activities can include activities involving the monitoring of: water quality, invasive species, water distribution systems, and ecosystems. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
This course provides a foundation in the use of electronic sensors for remote observations. The focus will be on applications for marine and near-shore environments, though any sensor system/platform may be discussed. Basic sensor science will be applied to the study of remote sensing instruments, including marine acoustics, terrestrial acoustics, visible, laser/LIDAR, multispectral, and hyperspectral. Sensor development and evolution will be studied, as well as related current events including instruments used in deep-sea, commercial, military, and space science industries. Group 2 course.
Recommended Prerequisites: Placement into ENG 111
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 6
This course provides advanced training for the use of sonar systems in the subsea environment. Students will utilize multiple sonar systems for the purpose of profiling and imaging nearshore infrastructure; positioning and navigation of subsurface equipment; and interpreting collected sonar data for use in marine subsurface applications. Specific sonar systems utilized will include multibeam sonar, side scan sonar, scanning sonar and USBL systems. Group 2 course.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
This course provides a foundation in the coordination of maritime surveys from a pre-deployment standpoint. Students will be expected to have a strong understanding of the remote sensing science including capabilities and limitations of the sensor systems to be used. A major focus of the course will be to develop student skillsets for processing and merging marine and terrestrial datasets from a wide range of sources and systems. Significant time will be devoted to proper manipulation of data using commercial and freely-available tools. Group 2 course.
Required Prerequisites: WSI 215
Recommended Prerequisites: WSI 300
Credit Hours: 2-4, Contact Hours: 2-4
The purpose of the internship is to provide on-the-job training for the student who wishes to pursue a career in a technical field of study. The internship will be customized to meet the learning needs of the student and the job requirements of the sponsoring firm. Students spend 10-15 hours per week in this paid, supervised on-the-job training experience. In addition to the required 50 hours per credit in a work site, students participate in semi-monthly seminars. Students must apply one month prior to the semester in which they will complete the internship. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct.
Recommended Prerequisites: 60 credits of program specific courses with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Credit Hours: 4, Contact Hours: 4
This course requires the synthesis and integration of knowledge and skills acquired across the Marine Technology curriculum for completion of a team oriented project and will require significant written, oral and visual deliverables including a final presentation. These field based projects will demonstrate a comprehensive approach to mission planning, technical equipment competency, budgeting, data collection/processing and dissemination to an audience. Group 2 course. Communications - Direct, Critical Thinking - Direct.
Required Prerequisites: WSI 390, WSI 405, WSI 433, WSI 440 can be taken concurrently.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
This course focuses on contemporary issues and current events in the marine industry. It is intended to explore the global marine technology market while providing industry perspective from the marine sector including consequences of pollution, safety regulations, policy development, technology advances, and economics. Students will evaluate trends and conditions expected to influence the industry over the next five years. Group 2 course. Critical Thinking - Direct.
Required Prerequisites: Completion of 60 credit hours within major, Must include WSI 200, WSI 210, WSI 240
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 3
This class covers the practice of project management, specific to underwater marine environment (ROV/AUV/Sonar Technologies). The course will emphasize the core principles of project management, including scope development, schedules, resource planning, budgets, risk management strategies and communication methods. The curriculum aligns with the Project Management Institute “Body of Knowledge” and meets the instructional criteria required to become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Group 2 course. Communications - Direct, Critical Thinking - Direct.
Credit Hours: 3, Contact Hours: 4
This course focuses on the use of complex marine platforms in multiple marine environments including multiple sonar systems, unmanned underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles. Students will learn mission planning, platform mobilization, launch and recovery techniques, remote guidance, and advanced troubleshooting of autonomous and remote systems. Subsea applications will include scientific study and research, subsea exploration and industrial applications. Group 2 course. Quantitative Reasoning.
Required Prerequisites: WSI 200, WSI 210, WSI 215, WSI 240 and instructor permission.