Overview
The Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Marine Biology and Ecology (MBE) program offers two tracks: Marine Mammal Science and Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management.
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
Marine Mammal Science Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | 3 |
| EVR 670 | Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals | 3 |
| MBE 604 | Biology of Marine Mammals | 3 |
| MBE 605 | Marine Mammal Disease and Medicine | 3 |
| MBE 746 | Marine Population Biology: Processes and Modeling | 3 |
| or EVR 645 | Marine Population Assessment Surveys and Analysis | |
| RSM 612 | Statistics for Marine Scientists | 3 |
| or EVR 624 | Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy | |
| Electives | ||
| The remaining courses may be selected from the following list or other courses approved by the academic advisor. * | ||
| OCE 651 | Applied Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals | 3 |
| Additional Elective | 3 | |
| Internship 1 | ||
| MBE 805 | MPS Internship | 2-6 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBE 606 | Procedures in Marine Mammal Health and Disease | 1 |
| MBE 607 | Marine Mammal Applied Behavior Analysis and Managed Care | 3 |
| MBE 608 | Discussions of Marine Mammal Welfare | 1 |
| MBE 623 | Marine Parasite Ecology | 3 |
| MBE 632 | Marine Mammal Research Techniques | 3 |
| MBE 678 | Evolutionary Genetics | 3 |
| MBE 716 | Bayesian Statistics for Marine Scientists | 3 |
| EVR 601 | Political Ecology of Marine Management | 3 |
| EVR 616 | Ocean Policy | 3 |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 673 | Marine Conservation Outreach | 3 |
| EVR 710 | International Ocean Law and Governance | 3 |
| EVR 720 | Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| OCE 651 | Applied Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals | 3 |
| RSM 640 & RSM 641 | DEIA in Marine Science Broader Impacts: Theory Reflection and DEIA in Marine Science Broader Impacts: Practice Implementation | 4 |
| RSM 664 | Scientific Small Boating | 1-2 |
| or RSM 667 | Motorboat Operator Certification Course | |
| RSM 710 | The Physical Environment of Marine Organisms | 3 |
| POL 631 | Global Environment Politics | 3 |
Curriculum Requirements
Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Ecology Requirement | ||
| MBE 615 | Tropical Marine Ecology | 3 |
| Statistics Requirement | ||
| RSM 612 | Statistics for Marine Scientists | 3 |
| or EVR 624 | Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy | |
| Policy Requirement | ||
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| or EVR 616 | Ocean Policy | |
| or EVR 631 | Marine and Coastal Protected Area Theory, Planning, Management, and Issues | |
| or EVR 710 | International Ocean Law and Governance | |
| or EVR 720 | Coastal Law and Policy | |
| Field Requirement 1 | ||
| MBE 621 | Field Techniques and Instrumentation in Tropical Marine Ecology | 3 |
| or MBE 614 | Tropical Marine Biology | |
| or MBE 637 | Practical Data Analysis for Marine Scientists | |
| or MBE 641 | Reef Restoration Techniques | |
| or MBE 644 | Tropical Coastal Restoration | |
| Technical Skills Requirement 2 | ||
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | 3 |
| or EVR 610 | Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Introduction to Research Diving Techniques 3 | ||
| Scientific Small Boating 3 | ||
or RSM 667 | Motorboat Operator Certification Course | |
| Marine Population Biology: Processes and Modeling * | ||
or EVR 629 | Biology, Ecology, and Management of Mangrove Ecosystems | |
or EVR 634 | Shark Behavioral Ecology and Conservation | |
or MBE 618 | Reef Coral Biology, Ecology, and Conservation | |
or MBE 623 | Marine Parasite Ecology | |
or MBE 638 | Tropical Marine Microbiomes | |
or RSM 601 | Scientific Freediving | |
| Internship 4 | 2-6 | |
| MPS Internship | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MBE 614 | Tropical Marine Biology | 3 |
| MBE 633 & MBE 643 | Ecology, Conservation, and Ecotourism in the Galapagos I and Ecology, Conservation, and Ecotourism in the Galapagos II - Field | 3 |
| MBE 678 | Evolutionary Genetics | 3 |
| MBE 704 | Biological Oceanography | 3 |
| MBE 716 | Bayesian Statistics for Marine Scientists | 3 |
| EVR 601 | Political Ecology of Marine Management | 3 |
| EVR 602 | Economics of Natural Resources | 3 |
| EVR 604 | Fieldwork in Coastal Management: Tourism, Conservation, and Development | 3 |
| EVR 610 | Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement | 3 |
| EVR 614 | Underwater Site Mapping and Visualization Techniques | 3 |
| EVR 616 | Ocean Policy | 3 |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 625 | Fisheries Socioeconomics and Management | 3 |
| EVR 626 | Submerged Cultural Resource Management | 3 |
| EVR 662 | Intermediate Spatial Analysis | 3 |
| EVR 710 | International Ocean Law and Governance | 3 |
| EVR 720 | Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| RSM 633 | Survey of Telemetry for Animal Movement Research | 1 |
| RSM 645 | Science Communication: Professional Writing | 1 |
| RSM 646 | Presentation Boot Camp | 1 |
| RSM 649 | Advanced Presentation Boot Camp | 1 |
| RSM 710 | The Physical Environment of Marine Organisms | 3 |
| BIL 623 | Advanced Biology of Marine Invertebrates | 4 |
| POL 631 | Global Environment Politics | 3 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Marine Mammal Science Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | 3 |
| EVR 670 | Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals | 3 |
| MBE 604 | Biology of Marine Mammals | 3 |
| RSM 612 or EVR 624 | Statistics for Marine Scientists or Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy | 3 |
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MBE 605 | Marine Mammal Disease and Medicine | 3 |
| MBE 746 or EVR 645 | Marine Population Biology: Processes and Modeling or Marine Population Assessment Surveys and Analysis | 3 |
| MBE 606 | Procedures in Marine Mammal Health and Disease * | 1 |
| MBE 607 | Marine Mammal Applied Behavior Analysis and Managed Care * | 3 |
| OCE 651 | Applied Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals * | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| MBE 632 | Marine Mammal Research Techniques * | 3 |
| MBE 805 | MPS Internship 1 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 5 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
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
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MBE 615 | Tropical Marine Ecology | 3 |
| RSM 612 or EVR 624 | Statistics for Marine Scientists or Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy | 3 |
| RSM 600 | Introduction to Research Diving Techniques * 1 | 3 |
| RSM 664 or 667 | Scientific Small Boating * 1 or Motorboat Operator Certification Course | 2 |
| EVR 620, 616, or 720 | Environmental Law and Policy 2 or Ocean Policy or Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 or 610 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems 1 or Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement | 3 |
| MBE 621 | Field Techniques and Instrumentation in Tropical Marine Ecology 3 | 3 |
| EVR 610 | Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement 4 | 3 |
| MBE 746 | Marine Population Biology: Processes and Modeling 4 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| MBE 805 | MPS Internship 5 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
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
- 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
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
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.
