Master of Professional Science
Underwater Archaeology
Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH)
Over half of the world’s population resides in growing coastal areas. These areas are major economic engines, supporting port and shipping, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and oil and gas mining activities. Balancing economic activities with non-renewable, submerged, cultural resources is a major challenge facing resource managers in the 21st Century. Similarly, adaptation to climate change, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and hurricanes also pose challenges for underwater cultural resource managers, in addition to threats imposed by commercial salvors. The MPS Underwater Archaeology track, focusing on the management of underwater cultural heritage (MUCH), is primarily technical, and will introduce participants to the legal and governance frameworks in this increasingly important discipline. Coursework will integrate topics such as legal aspects of submerged cultural resource management, marine protected areas, environmental impact assessment, and remote sensing surveys. While not a requirement, the opportunity to become an AAUS Science Diver is also available. Students also will have opportunities to engage in internships with private, public or non-governmental agencies (NGO’s) and conduct relevant fieldwork.
Sample Curriculum
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
| Field Techniques in Prehistoric Underwater Archaeological Excavation (MAF 514) | History of Seafaring (NEW) |
| Techniques of Marine Archaeological Survey and Recording (MAF 515) | Introduction to Marine Cultural Resource Management (MAF 526) |
| Research Diving (and Boat Handling) (RSM 500 and RSM 572) | Introduction to Marine GIS (MAF 560) |
| Advanced Underwater Acoustics (AMP 672)/Or ELECTIVE | Coastal Zone Management (MAF 518)/Or ELECTIVE |
Other Electives:
Advanced Fieldwork in Coastal Cultures (MAF)
Bayesian Statistics (MBF 672)
Coastal Law and Policy (MAF 620)
Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement (MAF 510)
Geological and Environmental Remote Sensing (MGG 580)
International Ocean Law (MAF 610)
Scientific Communication (RSM 545)
