FOR THE
ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
Welcome to the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science! We are pleased that you have chosen to join our program and look forward to your arrival on campus.
Selecting your courses for your first semester at UM will be the first step you take in transitioning into your college career. You may use the following information, as well as the UM Bulletin in regards to our degree requirements and which courses should be taken within your first semester. Please read this document in its entirety to ensure proper enrollment.
Please click here for a step-by-step video on how to register for classes. As you are working on your selections, should questions arise, please email the RSMAS Undergraduate Office at marsci@miami.edu.
Links to Helpful Canelink Video Tutorials
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PLANNING YOUR COURSE SELECTIONS
Please use this guide to select and register for your first semester courses. Before Orientation in August you will be assigned a faculty advisor. Your appointment time for advising will be given to you at Orientation.
For the purpose of our online pre-selection process, we are concentrating only on the required core courses needed to graduate. After arriving on campus, you will meet with your faculty advisor to discuss how this first semester fits into your overall curriculum requirements. A typical full-time academic schedule for a new RSMAS freshman will include 4-5 courses with 1 to 2 labs (14-17 credits).
Course descriptions can be found through Canelink. CaneLink is the University of Miami's online portal for students and faculty. You will use your existing CaneID and password to log on. Please use the guide provided on the New Student Registration website to search for courses.
AP/IB/CLEP Exams, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Courses
- AP/IB (HL) or CLEP exams: If you do not know the results of AP/IB (HL) and CLEP exams at this time, you will need to make a judgment about the potential for receiving credits. Let us know which exams you have or will have taken. Upon receipt of the results, please inform the Marine and Atmospheric Science office by e-mail at marsci@miami.edu. You may check the AP/IB (HL) credit information in order to determine the exam scores necessary for the awarding of University of Miami credit for specific courses.
- To have AP and IB (HL) scores evaluated for UM credit, you must request that your scores be sent directly to the UM Office of Admission from the College Board or from your regional IB office --- a notation on the high school transcript is not sufficient. To have CLEP scores evaluated for UM credit you must submit an Official Test Result Report to the UM Office of Admission. The University of Miami’s School code is 5815.
- Dual Enrollment/Transfer credits: If you took a course for college credit, you must submit official transcripts to the UM Office of Admission from the issuing College or University. A listing on the high school transcript is not sufficient to award college credit. A minimum grade of "C" is required for consideration of credit in all dual enrollment and transfer courses. Please note: All grades earned in these courses are part of your permanent record. If you plan on using a transferred science or math course as an equivalent to a course required for your major, please send the course syllabus to marsci@miami.edu for review.
- Official test scores and/or transcripts for credits earned from any college/university should be sent to: University of Miami, Office of Admission, P.O. Box 249117, Coral Gables, FL 33124-9117.
Cognates
The University General Education requirements will be completed using cognates. A cognate is a group of at least three courses for at least nine credits, related in a topical, thematic, interdisciplinary, sequential, or other fashion, so that completion of a cognate provides coherent depth of knowledge.
You will need to complete one cognate in each of the three Areas of Knowledge: Arts and Humanities, People and Society (Social Sciences), and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). All undergraduate students in the Rosenstiel School will be required to complete the Arts and Humanities cognate but will fulfill their STEM cognate requirement through their major requirements. Students in Marine Affairs will fulfill their People and Society cognate requirement through their minor. Students in Marine Science may elect to fulfill the People and Society cognate requirement with a Marine Policy cognate. Students in Meteorology may elect to fulfill the People and Society cognate requirement with a Broadcast Meteorology cognate. Cognates integrating Study Abroad courses are also available. See program advisors for details. To find out more information about cognates here.
Required Courses for Majors
The following sections outline the recommended courses for freshman enrolling in each major. Freshman beginning with transfer credit should contact the main office at marsci@miami.edu. The English and Mathematics requirements for all majors are described at the end of this document.
Geological Sciences (B.A.) & (B.S.)
- Introductory Geology: GSC 110 and 114.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- Take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities. See cognates.
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- An introductory science course, either BIL 150 or CHM 111.
- Consider taking both CHM 111 and BIL 150 or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106. See cognates.
- ECO 211, or an additional course of your choice. We suggest you begin with the introductory course in your chosen minor*, or a course towards an Arts and Humanities cognate. See cognates.
* Approved minors (with introductory courses) are: Anthropology (one of APY 201, 202, 203 or 204), Economics (ECO 211), Ecosystem Science and Policy (ECS 111 or 113), Geography and Regional Studies (any 100- or 200-level GEG course), Latin American Studies (LAS 101), International Studies (either INS 101 or 102), or Political Science (one of POL 201, 202, or 203). For minors in Business or Communication, please contact the Marine and Atmospheric Science office.
Marine Science/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – see Marine Science/ Microbiology and Immunology
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), take GSC 110 and 114 or CHM 111 and CHM 113.
- An introductory science course with lab either: BIL 150 and 151 or CHM 111 and 113. Students with Biology AP scores of 5 (IB HL score of 7), should take CHM 111 and 113 or BIL250 or BIL 255. See under Marine Science/ Chemistry for Chemistry AP/IB score information.
- Consider taking both CHM 111/113 and BIL 150/151 or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), take GSC 110 and 114.
- Introductory Chemistry with lab: CHM 111 and 113. Students with Chemistry AP scores of 4 (IB HL score of 5), should take CHM 112 and 114. Students with Chemistry AP scores of 5 (IB HL score of 7), should take CHM 201 and 205.
- Consider taking both CHM 111/113 and BIL 150/151 or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), take MTH 210 or MTH 309.
- Consider taking Introductory Chemistry, CHM 111/113 or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Introduction to Programming I: CSC 120. Students with Computing Science A (AP scores of 4 or 5), Computing Science AB (AP scores of 3), or IB-HL (score of 6 or 7) should take CSC 220. Students with Computing Science AB (AP scores of 4 or 5) may take CSC 322.
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in an English course as described in its respective section (See Below).
- Introductory Geology: GSC 110 and 114.
- Introductory Chemistry with lab: CHM 111 and 113 or take a Mathematics course as described in the table below.
- Consider taking both Chemistry and Mathematics or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
Marine Science/Meteorology: see Meteorology/Marine Science
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- An Introductory Biology course with lab: BIL 150 and 151. Students with Biology AP scores of 5 (IB HL score of 7), should take Introductory Chemistry, CHM111 and 113. Students also with Chemistry AP scores of 4 (IB HL score of 5), should take CHM 112 and 114. Students also with Chemistry AP scores of 5 (IB HL score of 7), should take GSC 111 or both CHM 201 and 205.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), take GSC 111 or GSC 110 and 114.
- Consider taking an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), take MTH 210 (Introduction to Linear Algebra).
- Introductory Chemistry: CHM 111 and 113.
- Consider taking Statistics (MTH 224) or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus I (with an AP score of 4 on Calculus BC, or a 5 on Calculus AB, or an IB/HL score of a 5 or 6) take PHY 205 (University Physics I). Otherwise, take CHM 111 and 113 (Introductory Chemistry).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), take MTH 210 or MTH 311
- Consider taking an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Atmospheric Science: ATM 103 (Survey of Modern Meteorology).
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), we recommend that you still consider enrolling in Calculus II, (MTH162 or MTH172). You can also consider taking Linear Algebra, MTH 210. If you have this option please email the Meteorology advisers, Tony Hynes and Dr. Lisa Murphy-Goes and they will contact you to discuss.
- Consider taking an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Atmospheric Science: ATM 103 (Survey of Modern Meteorology).
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), we recommend that you still consider enrolling in Calculus II, (MTH162 or MTH172). You can also consider taking Linear Algebra, MTH 210. If you have this option please email the Meteorology advisers, Tony Hynes and Dr. Lisa Murphy-Goes and they will contact you to discuss.
- Consider taking both CHM 111/113 or take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
- Atmospheric Science: ATM 103 (Survey of Modern Meteorology).
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), we recommend that you still consider enrolling in Calculus II, (MTH162 or MTH172). You can also consider taking Linear Algebra, MTH 210. If you have this option please email the Meteorology advisers, Tony Hynes and Dr. Lisa Murphy-Goes and they will contact you to discuss.
- Take an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate. See cognates.
- Atmospheric Science: ATM 103 (Survey of Modern Meteorology).
- Introduction to Marine Science Lecture and Lab: MSC 111 and MSC 112.
- Communications School: JMM 108 (Writing in the Digital Age) and JMM 102 (Introduction to Electronic Media).
- Enroll in English and Mathematics courses as described in their respective sections (See Below).
- If you place out of Calculus (with an AP score of 5 on Calculus BC, or an IB score of 7 on the HL test), we recommend that you still consider enrolling in Calculus II, (MTH162 or MTH172). You can also consider taking Linear Algebra, MTH 210. If you have this option please email the Meteorology advisers, Tony Hynes and Dr. Lisa Murphy-Goes and they will contact you to discuss.
- Consider taking an elective towards an Arts and Humanities cognate if you received credit for ENG 105 and 106/107. See cognates.
English
Students must take two English composition courses, ENG 105 and either 106 or 107. All incoming students must take ENG 105 unless it is waived, you earned AP/IB credit, or you have Foote Fellow status. If you have a minimum SAT Writing score of 700 or a minimum ACT English score of 32, ENG 105 is waived; take ENG 106 or ENG 107 instead. There are two sections of ENG 107 designated for our program (C9 and D9).We would ask that you select a section and contact marsci@miami.edu so that we may enroll you in the correct course. ENG 107 is a specialized version of ENG 106 focusing on the sciences. Students with an AP score of 5 on the English Language exam (IB score of 6 in HL English A1) receive credit for ENG 105 and 106.
Mathematics
For all incoming students the appropriate level of math course may be determined by AP/IB scores, SAT/ACT scores, previous college credit, or by taking a proctored ALEKS test. If you would like to place in a higher level, you may choose to take the ALEKS Math Placement exam on campus during one of the proctored sessions offered during the summer and during move-in dates in August. Click here for the Placement Guide and click here for proctored testing dates/times to determine which math course you should begin with to start the math sequence required for your major.
International Students – International students will be required to complete the ALEKS Math Placement test on campus during one of the proctored sessions offered during the summer or during move-in dates in August prior to enrolling in any classes that require a math pre-requisite. Knowing that the transition to a US academic setting can be challenging, this will ensure that your enrollment is tailored to your abilities and will maximize your chances of academic success. Click here for the Placement Guide and click here proctored testing dates and times to determine which math course you should begin with to start the math sequence required for your major.
Marine Science and Meteorology majors will be required to complete one year of calculus. Marine Affairs majors are required to take one math course (MTH 108 or above). In addition, all undergraduate students must take one course in either statistics or computer science.
Approved Statistics and Computer Science Courses for All Tracks
Course Code
|
Title
|
| MSC 204 |
Environmental Statistics |
| BIL 311 |
Biostatistics |
| IEN 311 |
Applied Probability and Statistics |
| MTH 224 |
Introduction to Probability and Statistics |
| CSC 120 |
Computer Programming I |
Approved Math Courses for Marine Affairs and Geological Sciences (B.A.)
Course Code
|
Title
|
| MTH 101 |
Algebra for College Students |
| MTH 107 |
Pre-calculus Mathematics |
| MTH 108 |
Pre-calculus Mathematics II |
| MTH 113 |
Finite Mathematics |
| MTH 130 |
Introductory Calculus |
| MTH 140 |
Calculus Concepts with Foundations A |
| MTH 161 |
Calculus I |
| MTH 162 or MTH 172 |
Calculus II |
Approved Math Courses for Marine Science, Meteorology, and Geological Sciences (B.S.)
Course Code
|
Title
|
| MTH 107 |
Pre-calculus Mathematics I |
| MTH 108 |
Pre-calculus Mathematics II |
| MTH 140 |
Calculus Concepts with Foundations A |
| MTH 161 |
Calculus I |
| MTH 162 or MTH 172 |
Calculus II |
CONGRATULATIONS! You have now all the information you need to start the course selection process. If you have any questions call: (305) 284-2180 or email marsci@miami.edu.
You will receive a copy of your schedule of classes during Orientation and will have an appointment with a faculty advisor during that time – before classes begin.
