Marine Science, M.S.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Joan Willey

The Center for Marine Science in conjunction with the Graduate School oversees an interdisciplinary program of study leading to the Master of Science degree in marine science. The educational objectives of this degree program are 1) to provide a broad interdisciplinary understanding of marine science to students having strong undergraduate training in mathematics and the sciences; and 2) to develop skills that will enable these students to utilize this knowledge to solve complex marine environmental problems. These problem-solving skills will provide the foundation for future contributions by the graduates in marine-related industries, environmental management, teaching, research, and other marine-oriented careers. Students will also be prepared to undertake additional graduate study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in marine science are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

An official application for graduate admission
Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative, analytical writing)
Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields
Statement of research interests.

A bachelor‘s degree with a concentration in a natural science or mathematics from an accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four year program is required for admission, along with a “B” average or better in the student‘s major. Undergraduate grades, GRE scores, recommendations and statements of research interest will be used in concert in making admission decisions.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in marine science will require a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study. These credits may come from the student‘s major area of study as well as graduate courses offered by other departments as approved by the student‘s advisory committee. The student‘s advisory committee should include a minimum of three faculty members from at least two departments.
The courses most appropriate for each student will be determined by the student‘s advisory committee, with the expectation that a student will usually take no more that 12 credit hours from those courses cross-listed as 400/500.
Transfer work must be equivalent to a “B” or better, and courses must be acceptable to the student‘s advisory committee. A minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate study must be completed in residence.
The student must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination based on their core courses, and an oral exam on their research area. Students must also submit a prospectus that includes a course plan, literature review and research proposal which is acceptable to the student‘s advisory committee.
Each student must complete a thesis, based on original research, acceptable to the student‘s advisory committee and to the Graduate School. Each student will present a public seminar on his or her research project. The seminar will be followed by an oral defense of the thesis, conducted by the student‘s advisory committee.
The program shall be completed within five years of the date of first registration for graduate study.

Required Courses

Core courses: Three of the following four core courses are required. A grade of B minus or better is required in three core courses. All four may be taken, and should be taken by students planning on continuing in a Ph.D. program.

BIO 564 - Biological Oceanography Credits: (3)
CHM 575 - Chemical Oceanography Credits: (3)
GLY 550 - Marine Geology Credits: (3) (3 credits required)
PHY 575 - Physical Oceanography Credits: (3)

Students are also required to take

BIO 501 - Methods in Scientific Research Credits: (2) (2 credits required) or
CHM 501 - Introduction to Chemical Research Credits: (2) or
GLY 501 - Research Methods in Geology Credits: (2) (2 credits required)
MSC 595 - Graduate Seminar Credits: (1)
BIO 599 - Thesis Credits: (1-6) (3-6 credits required) or
CHM 599 - Thesis Credits: (3-6) (3-6 credits required) or
GLY 599 - Thesis Credits: (1-6) (3-6 credits required) or
MAT 599 - Thesis Credits: (1-4) (3-6 credits required) or
PHY 599 - Thesis Credits: (1-6) (3-6)

Marine Policy Concentration

In addition to the core and other required courses, students seeking a Master of Science in marine science with a concentration in marine policy must also complete the following:

PLS 543 - Environmental Policy Analysis Credits: (3) or
EVS 564 - Natural Resource Policy Credits: (3)
PLS 544 - Resource Economics Credits: (3) or
ECN 525 - Environmental Economics Credits: (3) or
ECN 530 - Natural Resource Economics Credits: (3)
Two additional 500 level courses: BIO, CHM, GLY or PHY (with no more than three hours of 591) (6)

Choose one course from the following

Additional Information

After obtaining approval from their advisory committees, students may select courses from the sciences, mathematics, statistics, and other areas as appropriate. For course descriptions, please refer to individual departmental listings.