M.P.S. in Marine Biology and Ecology

Overview

The Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Marine Biology and Ecology (MBE) program offers five tracks: Aquaculture, Fisheries Management and Conservation, Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution, Marine Mammal Science, and Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management.

Aquaculture Track

The Aquaculture track focuses on the scientific, technological, environmental, social, economic, legal, political, management, and business aspects of sustainable aquaculture. The program covers all stages of planning and development, from site and species selection to feasibility studies, resource evaluation, hatchery and grow-out technology, and commercialization. The Aquaculture track is supported by an innovative and progressive research and development program in sustainable aquaculture focusing on emerging technologies. Research and development priority topics are innovative hatchery technology and environmentally responsible grow-out methods, such as offshore aquaculture and recirculating aquaculture systems.

Fisheries Management and Conservation Track

The Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMC) track allows students to develop the professional skills required to be a fisheries scientist with curriculum options in various relevant areas of interest, such as fisheries dynamics, fisheries management, fisheries surveys, and quantitative fisheries.

Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution

The Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution track provides students with advanced training in invertebrate biology and evolution needed for employment in research, museum, husbandry, and industry professions.

Marine Mammal Science Track

Students in the Marine Mammal Science (MMS) track will prepare for employment in marine mammal management (including associated ecosystems), population assessments, acoustics, and care. 

Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management Track

The Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management (TME) track provides students with advanced training in the theoretical aspects of tropical marine ecology and the practical aspects needed to begin a career in this field. 

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.)
• One year of general biology + general biology labs
• One year of general chemistry
• At least one semester of calculus
• Nine (9) additional credits in natural science (research in these fields may, in some cases, substitute for coursework hours)

Note to students: Deficiencies in required coursework may be considered on a case-by-case basis for otherwise highly qualified students or those demonstrating experience with these skills.

All application requirements are available here.

Curriculum Requirements

Aquaculture Track

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Additional Elective Options

Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.

Curriculum Requirements

Fisheries Management and Conservation Track

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Additional Elective Options

Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Enrollment is strongly encouraged. May be substituted for another elective with the approval of their academic advisor.

²

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Additional Elective Options

Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. 

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Mammal Science Track

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Additional Elective Options

Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.

Curriculum Requirements

Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management Track

¹

Students may choose another field course in MBE or EVR with the approval of their academic advisor.

²

Students may take both courses if desired.

³

Enrollment is strongly encouraged. May be substituted for another elective with the approval of their academic advisor.

*

Courses listed are suggestions. Students may choose other electives with the approval of their academic advisor and/or course instructor if special permission is required.

⁴

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Additional Elective Options

Students may substitute elective coursework for one or more of the above courses with the consent of their academic advisor. Below are a few examples of courses that past students in this program took as electives.

Suggested Plan of Study

Aquaculture Track

*

or other approved Elective

¹

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Suggested Plan of Study

Fisheries Management and Conservation Track

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Can be taken in Fall or Spring

²

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Suggested Plan of Study

Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution

*

or other approved Elective

¹

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Suggested Plan of Study

Marine Mammal Science Track

*

or other approved Elective

¹

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management Track

*

Enrollment is strongly encouraged. May be substituted for another elective with the approval of their academic advisor.

¹

​Can be taken in Fall or Spring

²

​​​Additional Policy Options: EVR 631, EVR 710

³

Additional Field Options: MBE 614, MBE 637, MBE 641, MBE 644. Students may choose another field course in MBE or EVR with the approval of their academic advisor.

⁴

Suggested Options: EVR 629, EVR 634, MBE 618, MBE 623, MBE 638, RSM 601. Students may choose other electives with the approval of their academic advisor and/or course instructor if special permission is required.

⁵

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of less than 2 internship credits must be approved by M.P.S. Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Mission

Aquaculture Track

The mission of the Aquaculture (AQU) track is to provide students with an interdisciplinary study of sustainable aquaculture and related industries, as well as advanced training on environmental, technological, social, economic, legal, and political aspects of marine aquaculture. Emphasis is placed on the environmental sustainability of commercially important marine fish species, as well as shrimp and mollusks. The program combines classroom lessons with experiential learning at the University of Miami Experimental Hatchery (UMEH) to prepare students for careers in marine aquaculture.

Fisheries Management and Conservation Track

The Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMC) track supports the management of marine resources by providing society with knowledge and assessments of the natural and anthropogenic processes that regulate the dynamics and functioning of fishery ecosystems and by providing predictions on the future state of such systems. The FMC track is a unique, academic program that allows students to develop the professional skills required to be a fishery scientist. This program fosters critical thinking and quantitative skills and provides a comprehensive study of the science and skills needed for employment in government agencies such as the National Marine Fisheries Service, state agencies, Fishery Councils, regional NOAA laboratories, as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO).

Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution

The mission of the Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution track is to give students experience in molecular techniques, phylogenetics, taxonomy, museum/collection science, and digitization. Taking advantage of the rich marine biota at the Voss Marine Invertebrate Collection (VMIC) housed at the Rosenstiel, students will be introduced to the principles of systematics and biodiversity with emphasis on homology and convergence, diversity and complexity, presented in a phylogenetic and ecological context through the study of form and function of living and preserved specimens.

The goals of this program are to train a new generation of evolutionary biologists that are trained in contemporary techniques such as genomics while also learning classical techniques such as taxonomy and physical collection maintenance.

Marine Mammal Science Track

The mission of the Marine Mammal Science (MMS) track is to prepare students for employment in marine mammal management (including associated ecosystems), population assessments, acoustics, research, and care. Coursework integrates a broad array of topics, such as marine mammal medicine and pathology, medical and clinical diagnostics, conservation and management, including state and federal regulations, applied ocean acoustics, research, education, and applied behavior analysis.

The MMS track provides opportunities for students to network with medical, training, and research experts in our community, as well as conduct an internship at one of many marine mammal rehab, managed care, or research facilities. As part of the practical training incorporated into the MMS curriculum, students will participate in mark-recapture surveys, public education, wild health assessments, behavior analysis and modification, clinical care and diagnostics, and necropsies, and attend and participate in regional and national conferences.

Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management Track

The mission of the Tropical Marine Ecosystem (TME) track is to prepare graduates for technical positions in marine conservation, management, and marine ecosystem science at one of a number of state and federal agencies, institutions, and NGOs by providing students with advanced training in the theoretical and practical aspects of tropical marine ecology. This program introduces students to theoretical aspects of nearshore benthic ecosystems common to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide (coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves) and emphasizes threats facing these ecosystems.

Practical aspects of the course expose students to field methods and techniques, taxonomy and identification of common vertebrates, invertebrates, algae and marine plants, GIS and remote sensing of shallow water marine environments, scientific diving (through the American Academy of Underwater Sciences), and small boat handling (through the Department of the Interior’s Motorboat Operator Certification Course).

Student Learning Outcomes

Aquaculture Track

• Students will be able to effectively plan and execute an aquaculture operation, including all related aspects of rearing, harvest, storage, shipping, and marketing.
• Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
• Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.

Fisheries Management and Conservation Track

• Students will be able to understand the processes influencing fisheries management and the development of fisheries policy alternatives, develop knowledge about the statistical design and implementation of fishery surveys and monitoring programs, and apply advanced statistical and mathematical modeling tools in support of assessments of fishery stocks and protected species.
• Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
• Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.

Marine Invertebrate Biology and Evolution

• Students will receive training in invertebrate biology and evolution including but not limited to genetics, genomics, taxonomy, museum science, digitization, data organization, and systematics.
• Students will learn how to operate professionally and effectively in a marine invertebrate collection giving hands-on experience in collection management and organization.
• Students will learn how to think critically and ask novel questions that engage different aspects of evolutionary and zoology science.
• Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.

Marine Mammal Science Track

• Students will have a strong foundation in marine mammal concepts and theories, with the ability to engage in productive academic and professional discussions with experts in the field.
• Students will be capable of evaluating specific threats to marine mammals and consider management objectives in light of cultural and socio-economic values, many of which will differ from their own.
• Students will be capable of thinking critically about question-based research and science-based management of marine mammals in the wild and in captivity, with an emphasis on ethics.
• Students will be able to effectively communicate marine mammal science to a variety of demographics, culminating in a meaningful and real-world contribution to outreach.
• Students will have a broader understanding of marine mammal managed care across various settings and will be capable of critically and strategically considering the intersection between animal care, welfare, management, and science.
• Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
• Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.

Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management Track

• Students will be able to effectively identify, understand, assess, and manage various tropical marine ecosystems.
• Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
• Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.