Overview

Marine Affairs prepares students to contribute to the policy development and management of marine resources through integration of scientific, economic and social perspectives. Research at UM focuses on fisheries management, political ecology, natural resource economics, coastal zone management, marine spatial planning and marine protected areas, coastal and ocean law, and marine cultural resources.

This program is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for graduate studies and careers in marine policy, political ecology, marine resource economics, management and conservation of marine resources, environmental impact analysis, marine cultural resources, marine anthropology, spatial planning, ocean and coastal law and policy.

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Affairs
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 217Physical and Chemical Processes in Coastal Ecosystems3
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MSC 313Coastal Law3
or MSC 314 Ocean Law
MBE 310Living Resources of the Ocean3
or MSC 340 Ocean Policy
MSC 345Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment3
MSC 460Spatial Applications in Marine Science3
Select 9 credit hours of approved Marine Affairs electives,. 19
Other Required Courses
BIL 150General Biology 24
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity 24
CHM 110Chemical Problem Solving 33
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry 44
ECO 211Principles of Microeconomics3
Select one of the following:3-4
The Earth System
Earth System History
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands.
Select one of the following: (MTH 108 or higher fulfills the Rosenstiel BAMA quantitative skills requirement)3-4
Precalculus Mathematics II
Finite Mathematics
Introductory Calculus
Calculus Concepts with Foundations A
Calculus I
Calculus I
Select one of the following:3-4
Environmental Statistics
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
Approved People & Society or STEM Minor15
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 107First-Year Writing II: STEM3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 108 or higher (fulfilled through the major)
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People & Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the STEM major or the People & Society minor)
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the P&S major or the STEM minor)
Additional Electives30-33
Total Credit Hours121
1

At least 6 of which must be at the 300-level or higher. MSC 204 does not satisfy the Marine Affairs elective requirement but does satisfy the Statistics requirement.

2

General Biology BIL 150 and Evolution and Biodiversity BIL 160 must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher. 

3

Chemical Problem Solving must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher. 

4

CHM 121 or STEM elective course as approved by Marine Affairs academic advisor..

*

500-level courses offered through the graduate Environmental Science and Policy program at the Rosenstiel School may be taken by Junior or Senior students with permission.

Suggested Plan of Study (STEM Major)

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
MSC 111 Introduction to Marine Science 3
MSC 112 Introduction to Marine Science Lab 1
CHM 110 Chemical Problem Solving 3
MTH 113 Finite Mathematics 3
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
Minor Course #1 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIL 150 General Biology 4
GSC 110 The Earth System 4
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
ECO 211 Principles of Microeconomics 3
 Credit Hours14
Sophomore Year
Fall
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 1 4
HUM Course #1 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MSC 217 Physical and Chemical Processes in Coastal Ecosystems 3
MSC Course 3
Minor Course #2 3
HUM Course #2 3
Elective #1 3
 Credit Hours15
Junior Year
Fall
MSC 313 Coastal Law 3
MSC COURSE 3
Minor Course #3 3
HUM Course #3 3
Elective #2 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC 345 Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment 3
Minor Course #4 3
Elective #3 3
Elective #4 3
Elective #5 3
 Credit Hours15
Senior Year
Fall
MSC 340 Ocean Policy 3
MSC Course 3
Minor Course #5 3
Elective #6 3
Elective #7 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC 460 Spatial Applications in Marine Science 3
Elective #8 3
Elective #9 3
Elective #10 3
Elective #11 2
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours121
1

CHM 121 or STEM elective course as approved by Marine Affairs academic advisor.

Mission

The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.

The educational mission of the BA degree in Marine Affairs at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of marine affairs and policy into their future careers.

Goals

This program strives to provide the rigor, flexibility, depth and integration to enable students to:

  • Pursue a course of study that provides both depth and breadth in marine affairs and related science and policy courses. 
  • Prepare themselves for public and private sector employment, graduate school, and successful careers.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.
  • Students will demonstrate an overall knowledge and understanding of the core concepts in Marine Affairs.
  • Students will be able to successfully integrate important concepts in marine affairs to address a real-world issue in marine policy and marine resource management.