Coastal Engineering and Coastal and Ocean Policy, Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Program

Objective

The BS Coastal Engineering/ MS Coastal and Ocean Policy (MCOP) combined degree program uniquely combines technical engineering skills and a foundation in policy development and decision-making specific to coastal and marine areas. This degree pathway will prepare students to develop solutions to complex coastal issues by considering the engineering design cycle while simultaneously recognizing the implications of evolving coastal and ocean policy. The degree recognizes that engineering projects impact public policy as much as public policy impacts the implementation of engineering projects. As the environment, technology, energy, and infrastructure change in the coming decades, students completing this program will be trained to tackle important issues and become leaders and key decision-makers in coastal resilience, adaptation, and governance.

Program Admissions Process

Undergraduates must apply for admission to the combined M.S./B.S. program during their third year of undergraduate study in the Coastal Engineering program and must apply separately for admission to the graduate program with no guarantee of admission.

Admission requirements for the Combined M.S. Coastal and Ocean Policy/B.S. Coastal Engineering program include:

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Coastal Engineering major with ≥75 credits of undergraduate courses

Written approval from the Coastal Engineering program coordinator

In all cases, students must complete the equivalent of three full time years of the BS Coastal Engineering program; this requirement ensures that undergraduate students have successfully completed specific prerequisite courses. Admission is restricted to undergraduate students in good standing whose undergraduate record is evaluated by the Coastal Engineering and Coastal and Ocean Policy program coordinators.

Overview of Course Requirements to complete the combined BS Coastal Engineering/MS Coastal and Ocean Policy

Students in the combined program are strongly encouraged to work closely with their academic advisors when choosing coursework.

Students in the combined program will complete undergraduate and graduate coursework during their final year in BS Coastal Engineering. Graduate coursework will count towards undergraduate degree requirements.

In the summer between completing the BS Coastal and Engineering and beginning full time in MS Coastal and Ocean Policy, students must complete 3 hours of an internship in Coastal and Ocean Policy or 3 hours of Advanced Policy and Management Skills.

As a full time student in the MS Coastal and Ocean Policy, students will complete 18 hrs of graduate level coursework.

Final Year of the BS Coastal Engineering

Students in their final year will take undergraduate and graduate level coursework to complete requirements of the BS Coastal Engineering and begin making progress towards completing the MS Coastal and Ocean Policy.

Unless a student’s academic advisor indicates otherwise, students should plan their final year as follows:

Fall: EGN 400, EGN 420, EGN 502, and MPA 505

Spring: EGN 495, MCOP 511, BIO or GGY or EVS

EGN 400 Fundamentals of Engineering Review
EGN 420 Applied Coastal Modeling
EGN 495 Engineering Capstone I
EGN 502 Dredging and Beach Nourishment
MPA 505 Policy Analysis
MCOP 511 Coastal and Ocean Law

Graduate Science Elective

Students need to complete a graduate level science course. Course selection from BIO, GGY, or EVS is strongly encouraged. Please consult with your academic advisor when choosing a course to meet the graduate science elective requirement.

Summer After Completion of the BS

During the summer between completing the BS in Coastal Engineering and beginning full time in the MS Coastal and Ocean Policy, students must complete 3 hours of an Internship or 3 hours of coursework in Advanced Policy and Management Skills.

MCOP 598 Internship in Coastal and Ocean Policy

Advanced Policy and Management Skills

Students should choose an elective related to developing advanced policy and learning management skills. Students should consult with the graduate catalog and the MS Coastal and Ocean Policy advisor to select the appropriate course.

As a Full Time MS Coastal and Ocean Policy Student

Students will complete at least 18 hrs as a full time student in the MS Coastal and Ocean Policy program. Some courses are only offered in the Fall or Spring terms. Unless a student’s academic advisor indicates otherwise, students should plan the year as follows:

Fall: MCOP 593, EVS 585, Elective in Coastal and Ocean Policy

Spring: MCOP 595, Elective in Advanced Policy and Management, Elective in Coastal and Ocean Policy

MCOP 593 Seminar in Coastal and Ocean Policy
EVS 585 Environmental Economics
MCOP 595 Capstone in Coastal and Ocean Policy

Electives in Coastal and Ocean Policy and Advanced Policy and Management Skills

Students need to complete 6 hours in Coastal and Ocean Policy electives and 3 hours in Advanced Policy and Management Skills during the year as a full time student in the MS Coastal and Ocean Policy. Students should refer to the graduate catalog and consult with their academic advisor when choosing coursework.