Micheline Labrie '21, PhD

Natural Hazards & the Ocean is primarily a descriptive course that is intended to educate students about the roles of the oceans in such natural hazards as hurricanes, earthquakes, global warming, and tsunamis. The course will address student curiosity about these ocean-related hazards, by presenting a conceptual understanding of the relevant underlying ocean-atmosphere, and earth-mediated mechanisms. The students will be presented in lecture and through their readings about how the application of the scientific method (a) overturned historical Misunderstandings of Earth geology; (b) explains the far-reaching effects of ocean storm-generated waves; (c) relates deep ocean earthquakes to tsunamis; and (d) relates how dust from the North African deserts is related to hurricane generation.

Earth's Climate as a Dynamic System. Topics include: Observation and Analysis Tools; Radiation, Heat and Water budget; Atmospheric Circulation; Atmosphere-Ocean Relationships; Natural and Anthropogenic Drivers of Climate Change; Paleaoclimatic investigations to Future climate projection; Human and Ecosystem Vulnerabilities; Climate Change Mitigation and Energy; Human Needs, Actions and Public Policy; Climate Studies as a Scientific Endeavor in a Changing Society.

Experiential learning in conjunction with an external industrial or governmental professional or faculty member. A detailed project proposal should be prepared by the student for departmental approval prior to the start of the project. Upon completion, student must submit a report on the experience and make a short presentation to his/her graduate committee. This course may be used to satisfy one 1-credit graduate technical elective course. 

Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area not otherwise part of the discipline's course offerings. Conditions and hours to be arranged.

Thesis research on an experimental or theoretical project in Marine Science or Technology under a faculty advisor.

Thesis research on an experimental or theoretical project in Marine Science or Technology under a faculty advisor.

Seminar discussions and presentations based on research or detailed literature surveys.

Seminar discussions and presentations based on research or detailed literature surveys.

Seminar discussions and presentations based on research or detailed literature surveys.

Investigations of a fundamental and/or applied nature representing an original contribution to the scholarly research literature of the field. PhD dissertations are often published in refereed journals or presented at major conferences. A written dissertation must be completed in accordance with the rules of the Graduate School and the School for Marine Science and Technology. Admission to the course is based on successful completion of the PhD comprehensive examination and submission of a formal proposal endorsed by the student's graduate committee and submitted to the SMAST Graduate Program Director.