Component #2
Education

Scientific Applications
Existing Degree Programs
Our Proposed Degree Program

Scientific Applications of Light Meter

Our NCT application of Environmental Monitoring Sensors has advanced scientific knowledge in several different ways. Light meters have been used to monitor environmental systems.  In some aquatic environments, light meters can be used to monitor the populations of algae.  In lakes with high levels of biological activity, the water will appear murkier because photoplankton tend to absorb light.  Scientists use light meters to estimate the health of lakes and other aquatic habitats.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Another example of an advanced light meter is the Photopolarimeter Radiometer (PPT) aboard the satellite Galileo. The PPT is used to measure temperature by sensing infrared radiation and reflected light from the planet Jupiter. This light meter is capable of studying the planet’s surface and creating pictures of atmosphere. With this equipment, scientists are able to advance their knowledge in the field of astronomy.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

back to top

Existing Degree Programs

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presents a Master of Science in Lighting which provides the education that will allow students to pursue careers in Lighting Technology.


rensselear.gif (1788 bytes)
used with the written permission of the University

This curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad foundation for working in the diverse field of lighting.  The curriculum includes 48 credits of project and course work.  Some of the courses required to graduate from this program are:
  • Human Factors
  • Vision
  • Light
  • Lighting Technology I & II
  • Understanding Architecture
  • Lighting Design I & II
  • Research Design
  • Lighting Technology II

In addition to these required credits, students must also complete six credit hours of electives and nine credit hours for a Master's Thesis.

back to top

The University of Charleston, South Carolina, presents a graduate program which leads to a Master of Science Degree in Marine Biology.

UnivofCharleston.gif (3169 bytes)
used with the written permission of the University

This program provides knowledge and skills, which will allow graduate students to pursue careers in marine biology.  This program is based at the Fort Johnson Marine Science Center.  The University of Charleston’s laboratory of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Marine Resources Research Institute of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Science Program of the Medical University of South Carolina are all participating institutions of this program. Some of the courses required to graduate from this program are:
  • Physiology of Marine Organisms / Cell Biology of Marine Organisms
  • Population Biology
  • Ecology of Marine Organisms
  • Physical Oceanography
  • Biometry
  • 3 Semesters of seminar and 2 electives totaling at least 7 credit hours

In addition to these required credits, students must also complete an oral examination and have the ability to read at least one foreign language.  After passing the comprehensive examination, the degree candidate completes, presents, and defends a thesis on an approved research topic.

back to top

Our Proposed Degree Program in
Graduate Environmental Lighting Engineering

A graduate degree in Environmental Lighting Engineering seeks to provide knowledge and skills, which will allow graduates to pursue careers in Marine Ecology Protection from Light Pollution. Admission to the program will require a BS or BA degree in physics or marine biology. The applicant’s grade point average, graduate records, exam scores (both the general and specific physics or marine biology subject tests are required), at least three recommendations, and a letter of intent from the applicant will be reviewed and evaluated by the admission committee of the graduate program.

Year One:

  • Introduction to Ecology I
  • Introduction to Environmental Science
  • Marine Ecological Physiology/Lab
  • Biodiversity
  • Oceanography
  • Marine Ecology or Marine Biology
  • Animal Behavior/Lab
  • Ecosystem Management
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Environmental Politics & Management / Environmental Economics

Year Two:

  • Lighting Design II
  • Marine Ecology (Field Study)
  • Ecological Interactions with Regard to Light Pollution
  • Advanced Physics / Advanced Chemistry
  • Advanced Marine Biology
  • Advanced Lighting Technology
  • Marine Vertebrate Zoology / Lab

In addition to these classes, students must accumulate 75 hours of field study.

Prerequisites: Strong desire to learn and accumulated hours in lab. Students need to be aware that some courses involve use of live animals (mostly turtles). Students may wish to seek details from course instructor before enrolling.

back to top