91AV

The mission of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs at the 91AV is to help our students gain an understanding of the natural world, develop critical thinking skills, and become scientifically literate. Together, we lay a foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful productive contributions to society.

The Marine Sciences programs encompass a wide variety of disciplines that seek to understand the way the ocean functions, how it is related to earth systems sciences, and how humans interact with the environment. Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings and applications of disciplines from biology to chemistry, geology, and physics. These disciplines are critical to life as we know it on the planet. Students will be able to apply these disciplines to solving real problems in ocean sciences and beyond.

The Aquaculture, Aquarium Sciences, and Aquaponics 4+1 (M.S. Marine Sciences) program offers advanced classroom training and research experience to students interested in the field of marine sciences. This track enables qualified 91AV undergraduates to obtain the M.S. degree through an expedited process that begins during the senior year of undergraduate work. Students will complete much of the M.S. coursework during the fourth year, while also working on a thesis research project under the mentorship of a faculty member. The fifth year will be spent finishing the research project and writing the thesis.

This degree requires a total of thirty-six (36) credits beyond the Bachelor of Science with a major in Aquaculture, Aquarium Sciences, and Aquaponics. This includes a minimum of sixteen (16) thesis/research credits (MAR 590), one (1) credit of Marine Science Center Seminar (MAR 512), one (1) credit of Graduate Research Seminar (MAR 530), six (6) credits of Advanced Oceanography (MAR 566, MAR 568) and nine (9) additional course credits at the five-hundred (500)-level. A maximum of twelve (12) course credits at the five-hundred (500)-graduate level can double count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Program Goals

• Provide a knowledge base in the marine sciences that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience
• Instill outstanding research skills and a working knowledge of the scientific method by participating in high-quality research
• Develop scientific communication skills through writing and oral presentations

Satisfactory academic progress

To remain in the Aquaculture, Aquarium Sciences, and Aquaponics 4+1 (M.S. Marine Sciences) program, a student’s cumulative graduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade below B- in any course taken for graduate credit will be placed on academic probation.

Program completion timeline

Students have a maximum of five (5) years to complete the graduation requirements for both the undergraduate and M.S. degrees. After two (2) academic years (fall and spring terms), students who have completed their coursework but are still completing their theses are required to enroll in a minimum of one (1) Thesis Writing/Data Analysis credit hour (MAR 595) per semester to remain in the program and the student needs to demonstrate satisfactory progress towards their degree completion. In such a case, the student should contact Student Financial Services to determine whether this change from full-time status affects their financial aid. 

Probation/Dismissal

A 4+1 student whose GPA for any semester falls below 3.0, or whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0, or who receives a class grade below a B- for any class taken for graduate credit is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one (1) fall or spring semester to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the semester, and cannot receive a second-course grade below B-. Any student who fails to meet these criteria will be considered for dismissal by the School of Marine and Environmental Programs and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

• Students will demonstrate expertise in their thesis research field
• Students will achieve publication-level proficiency in written and professional oral communication skills
• Students will demonstrate mastery of the concepts and principles of the Marine Sciences
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of research design and have the ability to carry out a research project

Students may not transfer credits from other graduate programs. However, if the student has already taken a similar required class at the graduate level, they may substitute another class, including thesis and research credits, in consultation with their major professor, and must receive a grade of B- or P or better for it to count toward their graduate degree.

Eligibility for the 4+1 program

Current 91AV undergraduates with a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.5 GPA in all math and science courses are eligible to apply for the Aquaculture, Aquarium Sciences, and Aquaponics 4+1 (M.S. Marine Sciences) program. Additionally, applicants must have sponsorship from a faculty member in the School of Marine and Environmental Programs (SMEP) who will serve as the thesis advisor and identified at least two (2) additional individuals (faculty or experts from outside of 91AV) to serve on their thesis committee. The thesis committee will be comprised of at least three (3) members: The Thesis Advisor, and two (2) others with expertise in the area of the student’s thesis topic. At least two (2) of the committee members should be at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) or SMEP. The third and any additional members may be from outside these schools or 91AV, but are expected to have a doctoral or other terminal degree with research expertise in the student’s thesis area. Exceptions to these rules may be made via petition to the Graduate Program Committee.

The GRE is not required for enrollment into the program. Eligible students can apply to the 4+1 program between the second semester of their sophomore year and the second semester of their junior year. 

Application

The 91AV participates in the Graduate Centralized Application Service (GradCAS). All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

Resume

A current resume is required and should be uploaded directly to the GradCAS application.

TUITION and FEES

Tuition and fees for the +1 year may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.