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

General Prerequisites:
  • 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

Additional Prerequisites:
  • 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

Additional Prerequisites:
  • At least one of the following: one semester of statistics or calculus or six (6) credits in geoscience

Curriculum Requirements

Applied Remote Sensing Track

Core Courses
OCE 606Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing3
OCE 707Advanced Ocean Remote Sensing3
Electives18
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 805MPS Internship2-6
Additional Requirements
Research Ethics
Total Credit Hours30
*

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.

ATM 651Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics3
ATM 662Advanced Weather Forecasting3
EVR 602Economics of Natural Resources3
EVR 610Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement3
EVR 616Ocean Policy3
EVR 620Environmental Law and Policy3
EVR 630Port Operations and Policy3
EVR 633Decision Analysis: Natural Hazards and Catastrophes3
EVR 677Management and Conservation of Marine Ecosystems3
EVR 720Coastal Law and Policy3
MBE 615Tropical Marine Ecology3
MGS 634Hydrological Hazards3
MGS 635Geological Hazards3
OCE 624Applied Data Analysis3
OCE 651Applied Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals3
OCE 705Chemical Oceanography3
OCE 790Mechanics and Thermodynamics of the Air-Sea Interface3

Natural Hazards and Catastrophes Track

Core Courses
EVR 633Decision Analysis: Natural Hazards and Catastrophes3
EVR 660
EVR 661
Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems
and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory
3
MGS 634Hydrological Hazards3
MGS 635Geological Hazards3
OCE 637Natural Hazards: Atmosphere and Ocean3
RSM 612Statistics for Marine Scientists3
or EVR 624 Statistics and Data Analysis for Environmental Science and Policy
Electives6
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 805MPS Internship2-6
Additional Requirements
Research Ethics
Total Credit Hours30
*

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.

ATM 651Introduction to Atmospheric Dynamics3
ATM 731Air-Sea Interaction3
ATM 765General Circulation of the Atmosphere3
EVR 610Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement3
EVR 618Coastal Zone Management3
EVR 620Environmental Law and Policy3
EVR 630Port Operations and Policy3
EVR 720Coastal Law and Policy3
MGS 614Geophysics3
MGS 679Plate Tectonics3
OCE 606Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing3
OCE 624Applied Data Analysis3
OCE 676Wave Propagation in the Ocean Environment3
OCE 721Waves and Tides I3
CAE 630Water Resources Engineering II3
CAE 660Sustainable Construction3
EPH 600Introduction to the Science Practice of Public Health3
EPH 612Global Health3
EPH 640Urban Environment and Public Health3

Suggested Plan of Study

Applied Remote Sensing Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit 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 Hours12
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 Hours12
Summer
OCE 805 MPS Internship 1 2-6
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours30
*

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit 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 Hours12
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 Hours12
Summer
OCE 805 MPS Internship 2 2-6
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours30
*

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.