COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Coastal Sciences at the School of Ocean Science and Engineering is a 30-credit-hour graduate program designed to provide advanced interdisciplinary training in marine and coastal research, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork, laboratory investigation, and faculty-mentored thesis development. The program follows a structured academic and research timeline to ensure steady progress toward independent scientific competence and thesis completion. In the first semester, students are required to complete research integrity and safety training through the Integrity Assurance Program, including CITI modules covering Responsible Conduct for Graduate Students and Animal Subjects Research. Students must also form a graduate advisory committee by the end of the first semester, establishing the primary faculty mentors who will guide their research. By the end of the second semester, students are expected to submit a detailed research prospectus approved by their advisory committee and formally present it in an oral presentation at least two weeks after distributing the written document. The third semester includes a comprehensive examination, which may be oral, written, or both, assessing the student’s mastery of coastal science concepts and readiness for advanced research. By the fourth semester, students must complete and successfully defend a thesis, with the final document submitted to the committee at least two weeks prior to a public defense seminar. The curriculum requires 30 total credit hours, including at least 6 hours of COA 691 Research in Coastal Sciences, up to 6 hours of COA 698 Thesis, and 18 hours of electives selected in consultation with a major professor and advisory committee to support the student’s specific research focus. Research credits such as COA 691, COA 697 Independent Study, and COA 698 Thesis cannot be counted as electives. Overall, the program is designed to train highly skilled coastal scientists capable of conducting independent research and contributing to environmental science, marine ecosystems, and coastal management through both academic and applied professional pathways.