Overview
The Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Ocean Sciences (OCE) program offers two tracks: Applied Remote Sensing and Natural Hazards and Catastrophes.
Applied Remote Sensing Track
The routine use of remote sensing techniques has become an indispensable element of many activities in our modern world. A huge variety of sensors on satellites, airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”), and other platforms provide data for a variety of applications on a regular basis. The Applied Remote Sensing (ARS) track offered by the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS) provides theoretical knowledge and experiential learning for careers in the field of remote sensing in both public and private sectors. Working professionals in this field may also acquire additional training to expand their current knowledge and skillset.
Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track
The Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science conducts world-class research on the earth systems responsible for natural disasters, including the atmosphere, the ocean, and solid earth. To meet society’s need for a skilled workforce, the Natural Hazards and Catastrophes (NHC) track offers an educational opportunity for students seeking to fill positions offered by the private and civil sectors to assess risks and exposures associated with natural hazards.
Admission Requirements
- 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.
Applied Remote Sensing Track
- Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Mathematics, Physics, Geosciences, Engineering, or an equivalent degree
- Successful completion of the following (or equivalent) undergraduate courses: calculus, statistics, physics, computer programming (Matlab, IDL, C, or Fortran)
Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track
- At least one of the following: one semester of statistics or calculus or six (6) credits in geoscience
Curriculum Requirements
Applied Remote Sensing Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| OCE 606 | Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing | 3 |
| OCE 707 | Advanced Ocean Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Electives | 18 | |
| The remaining courses may be selected from the following list or other courses approved by the academic advisor. * | ||
| Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | ||
| Physical Oceanography | ||
| Introduction to Ocean Systems Engineering | ||
| Natural Hazards: Atmosphere and Ocean | ||
| Wave Propagation in the Ocean Environment | ||
| Statistics for Marine Scientists | ||
| Internship 1 | ||
| OCE 805 | MPS Internship | 2-6 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| 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 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATM 651 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 |
| ATM 662 | Advanced Weather Forecasting | 3 |
| EVR 602 | Economics of Natural Resources | 3 |
| EVR 610 | Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement | 3 |
| EVR 616 | Ocean Policy | 3 |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 630 | Port Operations and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 633 | Decision Analysis: Natural Hazards and Catastrophes | 3 |
| EVR 677 | Management and Conservation of Marine Ecosystems | 3 |
| EVR 720 | Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| MBE 615 | Tropical Marine Ecology | 3 |
| MGS 634 | Hydrological Hazards | 3 |
| MGS 635 | Geological Hazards | 3 |
| OCE 624 | Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
| OCE 651 | Applied Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals | 3 |
| OCE 705 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| OCE 790 | Mechanics and Thermodynamics of the Air-Sea Interface | 3 |
Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| EVR 633 | Decision Analysis: Natural Hazards and Catastrophes | 3 |
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory | 3 |
| MGS 634 | Hydrological Hazards | 3 |
| MGS 635 | Geological Hazards | 3 |
| OCE 637 | Natural Hazards: Atmosphere and Ocean | 3 |
| RSM 612 | Statistics for Marine Scientists | 3 |
| or EVR 624 | Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| The remaining courses may be selected from the following list or other courses approved by the academic advisor. * | ||
| Environmental Law and Policy | ||
| Statistical Modeling of Extreme and Rare Events | ||
| Internship 1 | ||
| OCE 805 | MPS Internship | 2-6 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| 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 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ATM 651 | Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics | 3 |
| ATM 731 | Air-Sea Interaction | 3 |
| ATM 765 | General Circulation of the Atmosphere | 3 |
| EVR 610 | Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement | 3 |
| EVR 618 | Coastal Zone Management | 3 |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 630 | Port Operations and Policy | 3 |
| EVR 720 | Coastal Law and Policy | 3 |
| MGS 614 | Geophysics | 3 |
| MGS 679 | Plate Tectonics | 3 |
| OCE 606 | Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing | 3 |
| OCE 624 | Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
| OCE 676 | Wave Propagation in the Ocean Environment | 3 |
| OCE 721 | Waves and Tides I | 3 |
| CAE 630 | Water Resources Engineering II | 3 |
| CAE 660 | Sustainable Construction | 3 |
| EPH 600 | Introduction to the Science Practice of Public Health | 3 |
| EPH 612 | Global Health | 3 |
| EPH 640 | Urban Environment and Public Health | 3 |
Suggested Plan of Study
Applied Remote Sensing 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 |
| OCE 603 | Physical Oceanography * | 3 |
| OCE 608 | Introduction to Ocean Systems Engineering * | 3 |
| RSM 612 | Statistics for Marine Scientists * | 3 |
| RSM 700 | Research Ethics | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| OCE 606 | Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing | 3 |
| OCE 637 | Natural Hazards: Atmosphere and Ocean * | 3 |
| OCE 676 | Wave Propagation in the Ocean Environment * | 3 |
| OCE 707 | Advanced Ocean Remote Sensing | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| OCE 805 | MPS Internship 1 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| 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 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.
Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EVR 620 | Environmental Law and Policy * | 3 |
| EVR 633 | Decision Analysis: Natural Hazards and Catastrophes | 3 |
| MGS 635 | Geological Hazards | 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 | ||
| EVR 660 & EVR 661 | Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory 1 | 3 |
| MGS 634 | Hydrological Hazards | 3 |
| OCE 637 | Natural Hazards: Atmosphere and Ocean | 3 |
| RSM 613 | Statistical Modeling of Extreme and Rare Events * | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| OCE 805 | MPS Internship 2 | 2-6 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
or other approved Elective
- 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.
Mission
Applied Remote Sensing Track
The Applied Remote Sensing (ARS) track, in conjunction with the Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS) provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world experiences geared towards a successful career in the field of remote sensing in both public and private sectors. This program is also appropriate for those already in the workforce who require additional training or are looking to expand upon their knowledge and skills.
Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track
The mission of the Natural Hazards and Catastrophes (NHC) track is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to understand earth system natural hazards (atmospheric, oceanic, geological, and hydrological) and the data analytics tools required to assess the associated risks. The strategic selection of electives exposes students to legal and regulatory knowledge, communication and media training, and the development of project management skills, all designed to prepare them to address these challenges as future global leaders. The NHC track prepares its students for employment in several sectors, including insurance and re-insurance industry, architecture, emergency management, engineering, public health, and science.
Student Learning Outcomes
Applied Remote Sensing Track
- Students will learn theoretical knowledge and practical skills using a variety of remote sensing instruments to produce, measure, and interpret data from high-resolution satellite images for application to various end-users in the private and public sectors.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
- Students will write up a final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.
Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track
- Students will understand earth system natural hazards (atmospheric, oceanic, geological, and hydrological) and apply data analytics tools (e.g., statistics, data management, programming, GIS, and remote sensing) required to assess associated risks.
- Students will develop project management skills, understand the legal and regulatory frameworks and regulations, and apply communication and media training to address earth system natural hazards.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of field and lab work during their internships.
- Students will write up a final report and deliver a final presentation based on the work completed in their internship.
