The following is the official GPMSL policy regarding acceptable substitutions for MSL F651 to meet the field course requirement for the M.S. marine biology program:

1. A combination of MSL F421 plus a minimum of eight days (for 2 credits through a pre-approved independent study course) aboard an oceanographic vessel or a coastal field station conducting biological research unrelated to the student’s thesis research, if approved in advance by the Graduate Advisory Committee, Master’s Comprehensive Exam Committee, and the chief scientist of the cruise. (Note: Assuming the student spends 10 hours per day on the vessel/field station, the student will accumulate 80 hours of experience, which is equivalent to a 2-credit lab course.) To obtain approval for this last substitution, the chief scientist of the cruise/field station must submit a memorandum to the Master’s Comprehensive Exam Committee stating that the student will spend at least eight days at sea substantially involved in a variety of cruise activities that are not related to the student’s thesis research, or
2. MSL F656, or
3. MSL F697.

Please see department for specific details on course requirements.