The Master of Professional Science Degree in Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management provides students with advanced training in the theoretical aspects of tropical marine ecology, as well as the practical aspects needed to begin a career in this field. Theory focuses on nearshore, benthic ecosystems common to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide (coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves) and emphasizes threats facing these ecosystems. Practical aspects of the course include field methods and techniques, taxonomy and identification of common vertebrates, invertebrates, algae and marine plants, GIS and remote sensing of shallow water marine environments, scientific diving (through the American Academy of Underwater Sciences), and small boat handling (through the Department of the Interior’s Motorboat Operator Certification Course). This degree is excellent preparation for technical positions in marine conservation and management and marine ecosystem science at one of a number of state and federal agencies, institutions, and NGOs.
The MPS in Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management provides students with advanced training in the theoretical aspects of tropical marine ecology, as well as the practical aspects needed to begin a career in this field. Please see our departmental website for more information about this program.
Fall
Credit Hours
MBE 615
Tropical Marine Ecology
3
RSM 600
Research Diving Techniques (Can be taken in Fall or Spring) Or ELECTIVE
3
RSM 667
Motorboat Operator Certificate Course
1-2
RSM 612 or MES 608
Statistics for Environmental Management
or Biometrics in Marine Science3
MES 620, 720,
or 616Environmental Law (or ELECTIVE)
or Coastal Law and Policy
or Ocean Policy and Development and Analysis3
Credit Hours
12
Spring
Credit Hours
MBE 621
Field Techniques and Instrumentation in Tropical Marine Ecology
3
MES 660
& MES 661Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems
and Introduction to Marine Geographic Information Systems - Laboratory3
MES 610
Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement (or ELECTIVE)
3
MES 646
Marine Population Biology Processes And Modeling (or ELECTIVE)
3
Credit Hours
12
Summer
Credit Hours
MBE 805
MPS Internship
6
Credit Hours
6
Total Credit Hours
30
Students may take any elective on the RSMAS campus with the consent of their faculty advisor. Below are a few examples of courses past students in this program used as electives.
For more details, visit the UM Bulletin
Code
Title
Credit Hours
BIL 623
Advanced Biology of Marine Invertebrates
4
MES 606
Advanced Fieldwork in Coastal Cultures
3
MBE 716
Bayesian Statistics For Marine Scientists
3
MBE 704
Biological Oceanography
3
MES 720
Coastal Law and Policy
3
MES 602
Economics of Natural Resources
3
MES 620
Environmental Law
3
MES 610
Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement
3
MBE 678
Evolutionary Genetics
3
MES 614
Underwater Archaeology Field Techniques
3
MES 604
Fieldwork in Coastal Management: Tourism, Conservation, and Development
3
MES 605
Fieldwork in Coastal Cultures
3
MES 625
Fisheries Socioeconomics and Management
3
POL 631
Global Environment Politics
3
MES 710
International Ocean Law And Governance
3
MES 626
Submerged Cultural Resource Management
3
MES 616
Ocean Policy and Development and Analysis
3
RSM 710
The Physical Environment of Marine Organisms
3
MES 601
Political Ecology of Marine Management
3
MES 662
Spatial Analysis: Intermediate Course in Marine GIS
3
MBE 614
Tropical Marine Biology: A Field Course
3