Overview
Hybrid Marine Conservation Track
The Hybrid Marine Conservation (HMCO) track is a 30-credit Master of Professional Science in Marine Ecosystems and Society program including online and in-person instruction. This 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 take theoretical courses in an online format and travel to Miami or fieldwork locations for hands-on instruction in practical skills. Numerous universities offer professional Masters degrees in the marine conservation, management, and policy space, but thus far, relatively few offer the flexibility of online and hybrid instruction.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements are the same as the in-person MPS tracks: a Bachelor’s degree in any field (https://mps.earth.miami.edu/degree-tracks/marine-conservation/index.html). For admission, applicants must submit a completed application, Bachelor’s degree transcript from an accredited educational institution, personal statement, and at least two letters of recommendation. A 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA is required.
All students enrolled in the HMCO program will take four required (“Core”) courses online, at least two field courses, and at least two internship credits during which they will complete research or a professional project in their field of study. The academic core courses include 13 total credits of online courses (each with both synchronous and asynchronous components), plus 6 credits of in-person field courses, and at least two credits for an internship project which may be either in-person or online:
Students will have access to numerous electives, including travel and short-term in-person courses, to complete the 30 total credit hours for the degree.
Curriculum Requirements: MPS in Marine Ecosystems and Society
Marine Conservation Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EVR 671 | Marine Conservation Biology | 4 |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy (or policy elective) | 3 |
| EVR 673 | Marine Conservation Outreach | 3 |
| RSM 612 | Statistics for Marine Scientists | 3 |
| Field Course Electives | 6 | |
| Tropical Marine Biology | ||
| Ecology, Conservation, and Ecotourism in the Galapagos I | ||
| Elasmobranch Field Research Skills | ||
| South African Intertidal Ecology | ||
| Marine Mammals of the Galapagos: Part I | ||
| Marine Mammals of the Galapagos: Part II | ||
| Field Techniques in Tropical Marine Ecology I | ||
| Field Techniques in Tropical Marine Ecology II | ||
| Teleost Field Research Skills | ||
| Research Vessel Operations | ||
| Introduction to Research Diving Techniques | ||
| Scientific Small Boating | ||
| Other Electives | 9 | |
| Students may select electives from any course approved by their advisor, such as the courses below. | ||
| Introduction to Data Management and Visualization for Environmental Scientists | ||
| Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals | ||
| Citizen and Participatory Science | ||
| Shark Behavioral Ecology and Conservation | ||
| Bayesian Statistics for Marine Scientists | ||
| Engaging the Arts in Science Communication | ||
| Presentation Boot Camp | ||
| Internship | ||
| Student may complete a research or project-based internship, which may be in-person at a government, private or non-governmental organization, or online. | ||
| EVR 805 | MPS Internship | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
Marine Conservation Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EVR 671 | Marine Conservation Biology | 4 |
| RSM 612 | Statistics for Marine Scientists 1 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| EVR 673 | Marine Conservation Outreach | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Field Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EVR 805 | MPS Internship | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Mission
The Marine Conservation MPS in MES track provides students with advanced training in theoretical and practical aspects of marine science and conservation. It offers unique flexibility to design a program of study that will prepare students for a wide variety of professional science careers, in fields such as marine biology, ecosystem science, resource management, conservation communication, and education. The hybrid track will fill an existing educational gap for those interested in advancing their skills in this area while working full-time, or career-changers interested in shifting to work in conservation, but who are unable or unwilling to leave their existing jobs or family responsibilities or move to Miami.
Learning Outcomes:
The Marine Conservation track in the MES program is designed to equip students for professional careers in conservation through the acquisition of knowledge, critical thinking, and scientific analysis skills. There is significant specialization within the track across those with a particular interest in policy, research, or outreach and education, but across those specializations, learning outcomes include:
- 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 final, written report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.
