COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s program in Marine Science requires a total of 30 units designed to build strong foundational knowledge, technical skills, and research experience in ocean and environmental sciences. The curriculum is divided into core courses, electives, and a culminating experience to ensure students receive both breadth and depth in marine science disciplines.The core requirement consists of 18 units. Students must complete three advanced marine science core courses chosen from Advanced Marine Ecology, Advanced Geological Oceanography, Advanced Physical Oceanography, Advanced Chemical Oceanography, or Advanced Biological Oceanography. Each of these courses focuses on a specialized branch of marine science, providing advanced theoretical understanding and research-based learning, with some courses also meeting Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) standards. In addition, students must complete one data analysis course selected from either Sampling and Experimental Design or Data Analysis in Marine Science. These courses develop essential quantitative and methodological skills needed for scientific research. Students are also required to complete at least 2 units of the Graduate Seminar in Marine Science, which provides exposure to current research topics, discussions, and professional development opportunities.The elective component accounts for 11 units. Students select additional graduate-level courses (100- or 200-level) in consultation with their faculty advisor to tailor their academic experience according to their research interests and career goals. This may include repeated enrollment in the Graduate Seminar (up to two times total) or participation in Graduate Research in Marine Science, which can be taken for up to 5 units, allowing students to gain hands-on research experience under faculty supervision.The program concludes with a 1-unit culminating experience under Plan A (thesis option). This includes completion of a Master’s Thesis and a thesis defense, where students formally present and defend their research findings. Successful completion of all requirements leads to a total of 30 units, preparing graduates for advanced careers or doctoral studies in marine science.