Overview

The Marine Science/Computer Science degree is a Bachelor of Science degree (BSMAS) that is designed to give students a strong background in ocean modeling and computer science, providing the skills and expertise required for research in applied aspects of ocean science and management.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to work with the faculty and are able to earn course credit by conducting independent research under the supervision of leading scientists in their field. Research at UM focuses on development of algorithms for data capture, visualization and analysis, model development, instrumentation programming and remote sensing applications. .

The Bachelor of Science double major in Marine Science/Computer Science prepares students for admission to graduate programs and for careers in teaching and research as well as for technical careers in government and private industries concerned with the oceans.

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Science
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 215Chemical Oceanography3
Select two of the following laboratories:2
MSC 216
Chemical Oceanography Laboratory
MBE 232
Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory
MSC 302
Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography3
MSC 321Scientific Computing in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences3
Select 9 credit hours of approved Rosenstiel School electives within ATM, GSC, MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM courses 19
Other Required Courses
BIL 150
& BIL 151		General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory		5
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry 24
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
CSC 120Computer Programming I4
CSC 220Computer Programming II4
CSC 314Computer Organization and Architecture3
CSC 322System Programming3
CSC 431Introduction to Software Engineering3
or CSC 317 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis
Select 6 credit hours of approved electives, as described for Computer Science majors6
Select one of the following:3-4
GSC 110
The Earth System
GSC 111
Earth System History
MSC 424
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands.
MTH 161Calculus I 34
or MTH 171 Calculus I
MTH 162Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement) 34
or MTH 172 Calculus II
MTH 210Introduction to Linear Algebra3
MTH 309Discrete Mathematics I3
MTH 311Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
MSC 204Environmental Statistics3
or MTH 224 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Select one of the following options:10
Option 1:
PHY 201
University Physics I for the Sciences
PHY 106
College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 202
University Physics II for the Sciences
PHY 108
College Physics Laboratory II
Option 2:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
University Physics II
PHY 223
University Physics III
PHY 224
University Physics II Lab
or PHY 225
 University Physics III Lab
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 107First-Year Writing II: STEM3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161
Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
or MTH 171
 Calculus I
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Electives
300+ Level Elective3
Total Credit Hours120
1

At least 3 of which must be at the 300-level or higher. MSC 204 and MSC 425 do not satisfy the Rosenstiel School elective requirement. ATM courses, GSC courses, and courses from other Schools are allowed only if taken from an approved list.

2

Principles of Chemistry must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher. 

3

Calculus I and II must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher.

Suggested Plan of Study

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Marine Science/Computer Science major.  Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
MSC 111 Introduction to Marine Science 3
MSC 112 Introduction to Marine Science Lab 1
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 General Biology Laboratory 1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CSC 120 Computer Programming I 4
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore Year
Fall
MSC 215 Chemical Oceanography 3
MSC 216 Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1 1
CSC 220 Computer Programming II 4
PHY 201 University Physics I for the Sciences 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
 Credit Hours13
Spring
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
CSC 314 Computer Organization and Architecture 3
MTH 311 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
PHY 202 University Physics II for the Sciences 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
Elective #1 3
 Credit Hours17
Junior Year
Fall
MSC 301 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3
CSC Course 3
MTH 210 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
MTH 309 Discrete Mathematics I 3
Elective #2 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab 1 1
MSC 321 Scientific Computing in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences 3
MSC Course 3
CSC 317 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis 3
CSC 322 System Programming 3
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
 Credit Hours16
Senior Year
Fall
MSC Course 3
CSC Course 3
300 level or higher elective 3
Elective #3 3
Elective #4 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC Course 3
GSC 111 Earth System History 4
Elective #5 3
Elective #6 3
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours121
*

 6 elective courses must include:

  • 3 Arts and Humanities Cognate courses
  • 3 People and Society Cognate courses
1

 Students must take two laboratories from MSC 216, MBE 232 or MSC 302.

Mission

The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.

The educational mission of the BS degree in Marine Science at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of marine science into their future careers. 

Goals

Students completing this double major will be able to master a broad set of fundamental scientific knowledge in Marine Science and Computer Science, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in a time of rapidly increasing use of computational resources and methods in science and industry. The program will provide the rigor, flexibility, depth and integration to enable students to:

  • Design and pursue their course of study that meets requirements of a double major in Marine Science and Computer Science.
  • Learn from the diverse and outstanding group of professors and researchers who are experts in their fields and have active research programs.
  • Undertake active research experiences, which will allow them to gain a strong understanding of the scientific process and provide them with a set of valuable experimental and computational skills.
  • Prepare themselves for graduate school and for successful careers in public and private industries.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.
  • Students will develop analytical and quantitative skills to allow critical data analysis.
  • Students will be able to do carry out supervised research in the field of marine science.