COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (MS) in Marine Science is a research-intensive graduate program designed to prepare students for advanced careers in marine biology, oceanography, ecological research, and related scientific fields, as well as for doctoral study in the biological and marine sciences. The program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework and is structured around two pathways: Plan I (Thesis) and Plan II (Non-Thesis), both of which emphasize independent research and rigorous academic training. Each student is guided by an Advisory Committee consisting of at least three Graduate Faculty members, including at least one faculty member from the Biological Sciences department based at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa campus, and in Plan I at least one member must be external to the department, and may be from another institution, ensuring interdisciplinary academic oversight. In Plan II, committee composition is slightly more flexible but still maintains strong departmental representation, while the Department Chair serves as a non-voting ex officio member on all committees. Upon completion of coursework and either a thesis or capstone research project, students are required to present a faculty- and peer-reviewed seminar and successfully complete a final oral examination, demonstrating mastery of their research topic and communication skills. Plan I requires 30 total credit hours, including core courses such as BSC 505 (Introduction to Graduate Studies) and a seminar course, along with 6 credit hours of thesis research (BSC 599) and 21 credit hours of marine science electives drawn from University of Alabama and Dauphin Island Sea Lab offerings. Plan II also requires 30 credit hours, including core coursework and 27 credit hours of electives, but replaces the thesis with a non-thesis research structure. Both tracks require that most coursework be graded, with limits on pass/fail credits and specific requirements ensuring that a majority of credits carry the BSC or MS designation. Electives span diverse areas such as ecology, oceanography, genetics, toxicology, marine conservation, and computational biology, allowing students to tailor their studies to specialized research interests. Overall, the program combines strong faculty mentorship, flexible research pathways, and extensive field and laboratory opportunities to prepare graduates for professional and academic advancement in marine science.