M.P.S. in Marine Ecosystems and Society

Overview

The Master of Professional Science (M.P.S) in Marine Ecosystems and Society (MES) program offers four tracks: Coastal Zone Management, Exploration Science, Marine Conservation, and Underwater Archaeology.

Coastal Zone Management Track

The Coastal Zone Management (CZM) track introduces students to the legal and governance frameworks on topics such as coastal fisheries management, marine protected areas, coastal and environmental law, coastal cultures, environmental impact assessment, and coastal development.

Exploration Science Track

Marine Conservation Track

The Marine Conservation (MCO) track provides students with flexible, rigorous training in interdisciplinary marine science and conservation, from mastering theoretical and analytical techniques to learning essential skills for marine fieldwork. Students design a personalized curriculum that emphasizes their interests and professional goals while building the experience to work effectively in a variety of conservation-relevant fields.

Underwater Archaeology Track

The Underwater Archaeology track (UARCH) is, minimally, a two-year program that focuses on the theory, underwater cultural heritage management, and data collection techniques necessary to work within the field of archaeology and the broader general field of marine sciences.

Coursework integrates topics such as archaeological epistemology, site mapping and modeling, interpretation of shipwrecks and submerged sites, best management practices, marine protected areas, and marine geophysical technology and survey. UARCH students receive training as AAUS Science Divers during their first semester. Students will have opportunities to work side-by-side with professional archaeologists through internships and field projects with private, public, or non-governmental agencies, both nationally and internationally, and conduct relevant fieldwork.

Admission Requirements

General Prerequisites:

1. Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) 

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.

Exploration Science Track 

Additional Prerequisites: 

• Completed undergraduate courses in biology, ecology, and chemistry are helpful, but not required, for pursuing graduate work in this program

Underwater Archaeology Track

Additional Prerequisites:

• B.A./B.S. in Anthropology, History, or related field
• Meet minimum Rosenstiel diving standards as outlined by the Rosenstiel Dive Office:
  • Minimum open water scuba certification from a nationally accredited dive training agency
  • Certified divers with more than 50 logged dives, especially those with prior scientific diving training, may qualify for the Experienced Diver Checkout and not be required to take RSM 600

Recommended:

• Participation in an archaeological field school prior to commencing the UARCH program
• Volunteer for terrestrial archaeological projects
• Ability to write professionally

Curriculum Requirements

Coastal Zone Management Track

The Coastal Zone Management track requires the completion of one core course. The rest of the curriculum will be decided on a case-by-case basis during academic advising. However, students select from a variety of multidisciplinary courses across many departments and schools at Rosenstiel/UM in a holistic effort to meet their personal and professional goals. A list of suggested electives is provided below. 

*

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 fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. 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.

Exploration Science Track

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Scientific Small Boating (RSM 664) may substitute for RSM 667

²

EVR 671 (and/or other Elective) is optional if the student needs to meet 30 credits for graduation.

³

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. 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.

Marine Conservation Track

*

Refer to the list of additional elective options.

¹

Students can place out of EVR 671 on a case-by-case basis.

²

Students can take both RSM 600 and RSM 664 (or RSM 667), but only one of these courses will satisfy the Technical Skills Requirements.

³

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. 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.

Underwater Archaeology Track

¹

EVR 693 can substitute EVR 692 based on availability.

²

RSM 667 is preferred, but RSM 664 may substitute

³

Enrollment in 2 - 6 internship credits is required during a student's time in the M.P.S. degree program. Completion of fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. 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

Coastal Zone Management Track

The Coastal Zone Management track is flexible in its plan of study, requiring the completion one core course, either coastal law and policy or coastal zone management. Students can tailor the rest of their curricula individually to best meet personal and professional goals from a variety of courses across the various departments at the University of Miami. 

¹

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

Exploration Science 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 fewer than 2 internship credits must be approved by the M.P.S. Program Director. Students may enroll in more than 6 internship credits with the approval of the M.P.S. Program Director. Typically, two semesters are needed to complete all aspects of the internship phase of M.P.S.

Marine Conservation Track

*

or other approved Elective

¹

Or other approved course listed under Technical Skills Requirement (see track curriculum) 

²

Or other approved course listed under Policy Requirement (see track curriculum) 

³

Or other approved course listed under Science Communication Requirement (see track curriculum) 

⁴

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

Underwater Archaeology Track

¹

Based upon availability

²

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

Mission

Coastal Zone Management Track

The mission of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) track is to provide students with interdisciplinary training in the theoretical aspects of marine science and conservation, as well as advanced knowledge of the legal and governance frameworks for careers in environmental consulting, coastal and marine spatial planning, and assessment and management of the coastal ecosystem, resources, and related industries.

Exploration Science Track

The mission of the Exploration Science (ESC) track is to prepare the next generation of explorers to address problems and questions related to the environment and society.

The ESC track fosters scientific inquiry and the application of skills within a context that acknowledges the cultural and ethical implications of exploration. This track exposes students to citizen science project design, exploration technology applications, and field-based skills training while receiving essential background information on the history, ethics, and risks related to exploration. This program offers a flexible curriculum allowing students to focus on courses and subjects that best fit their interests and goals for careers in environmental education, surveying, resource management, citizen science, conservation, media production, government agencies, museums, and ecotourism companies, among others. This curriculum provides a foundation for building a career focused on exploration, inquiry, and problem-solving to make a positive difference in the world.

Marine Conservation Track

The mission of the Marine Conservation (MCO) track is to provide students with interdisciplinary training in marine science and conservation, offering opportunities to learn scientific techniques, develop and implement science communication, outreach and community engagement projects, and better understand the policy and management process. A flexible curriculum allows students to concentrate on subjects and skill sets most relevant to their future careers in marine conservation.

Underwater Archaeology Track

Underwater archaeology is the study of the remains of past human activity through the exploration, documentation, and study of a variety of submerged sites, from shipwrecks to caves and springs to lakes and rivers. The Underwater Archaeology (UARCH) track helps students understand how archaeological sites and artifacts can play a large role in education, community cohesion, national identity, economic development, sustainable tourism, conservation, and, of course, entertainment, among others. This program focuses on the theory, field techniques, and management practices necessary to work within the field of archaeology and the broader general field of marine sciences. This program provides training in the areas of mapping and documentation, interpretation of shipwrecks and submerged sites, best management practices, marine protected areas, and marine survey technology.

Student Learning Outcomes

Coastal Zone Management Track

• Students will be able to understand the legal and governance frameworks related to coastal fisheries and other marine resource management, coastal tourism development, environmental impact assessment, and marine spatial planning for the development and application of comprehensive marine conservation strategies and policies.
• 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.

Exploration Science Track

• 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 Conservation Track

• Students will be able to formulate and understand the complexity of conservation plans for marine organisms and ecosystems, including planning, implementation, assessment, and incorporation of outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• Students will demonstrate professionalism and build relevant conservation career skills during their internships.
• Students will submit a written final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.

Underwater Archaeology Track

• Students will learn site mapping and documentation, interpretation of shipwrecks and submerged sites, best management practices, marine protected areas, and marine survey technology to effectively apply these skills and knowledge to submerged fresh and saltwater sites.
• Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
• Students will submit a final, written study (between 65 – 120 pages) and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.