# Marine Mammal Field Studies and Conservation (Certificate of Achievement)

Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Marine Science

Source: https://catalog.cccd.edu/orange-coast/pathways/math-science-engineering/marine-science/marine-mammal-field-studies-and-conservation-certificate-achievement/

The Marine Mammal Field Studies and Conservation certificate is designed to prepare students interested in gaining experiential learning in various fields of marine mammal research, public outreach, education and conservation. This introductory exposure will allow them to make important contacts and gain fundamental skills and theoretical knowledge in the field of marine mammalogy and conservation.

#### Program Outcomes

#### Program Learning Outcomes

1.  Describe fundamentals of marine mammal ecology including evolution, adaptations to aquatic lifestyle, and threats to their environment.
2.  Identify regional diversity of marine mammals in context of threats and conservation status.
3.  Demonstrate various research techniques used to study marine mammals including photographic identification, biopsy sampling, and other marine mammal tracking methods.

### Requirements

Review Certificate Requirements.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required Courses** | |  |
| MRSC A180 | Marine Biology | 3 |
| MRSC A187 | Marine Mammals | 3 |
| MRSC A188 | Marine Mammal Field Studies | 1 |
| MRSC A288 | Survey of Marine Mammal Research and Techniques | 1 |
| **Restricted Electives (Select at least 4 units)** | | 4 |
| ↳ GEOG A190 | Digital Mapping: Introduction to GIS |  |
| ↳ ITRN A100 | Internship or Work Experience - Level 1 |  |
| ↳ MARA A152 | Boat Handling and Seamanship |  |
| ↳ MRSC A124 | Ecology of the Gray Whale |  |
| or ↳ ESEC A124 | Ecology of the Gray Whale |  |
| ↳ MRSC A125 | Field Studies in Gray Whale Ecology |  |
| ↳ MRSC A180L | Marine Biology Lab |  |
| ↳ MRSC A195 | Marine Policy and Conservation |  |
| ↳ MRSC A199 | Special Topics in Marine Science |  |
| ↳ MRSC A287 | Introduction to Marine Mammal Rescue and Rehabilitation |  |
| **MRSC A291 Directed Study Marine Science 1** | |  |
| **MRSC A292 Directed Study Marine Science 2** | |  |
| **Total Units** | | 12 |