Marine Entrepreneurship

Degree

Bachelor of Science with a major in Marine Entrepreneurship
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
College of Business

Contact

Dr. Michael Daley, Interim Chair of the Business Department

207-602-2592

Dr. Barry Costa-Pierce, Chair of the Marine Science Department and Director of the 91AV Marine Science Center

207-602-2440

 

Learn More

Mission

Marine resources are critical to America’s economy. With proper management the marine environment has the potential to support thriving fisheries, aquaculture, marine bioproducts, and marine tourism industries; and the ocean is increasingly viewed as a high priority for renewable and non-renewable energy development.  Marine technologies and aquaculture have been designated by the Maine Science and Technology Foundation as one of seven clusters that are the focus of Maine’s research and development support programs. Maine’s tourism economy is estimated to generate over $7 billion annually and over 88,000 jobs, and Maine’s seafood economy is worth about $0.5 billion annually, comprising 40,000 jobs. The 91AV’s (91AV) B.S. in Marine Entrepreneurship (MARE) is an interdepartmental, interdisciplinary academic program designed to train the next generation of marine science and business students at 91AV for careers in the marine economy, marine businesses, and in the leadership of marine organizations. Degree requirements include the completion of an internship and an applied marine business research project. In order to increase the breadth of opportunities, numerous agreements and collaborations between the 91AV and other institutions, organizations, or individuals have been established.

Major Description

Our new B.S. in Marine Entrepreneurship (MARE) is a unique major - the only one of its kind in the nation - combining study in business and marine science. Whether you are interested in starting a marine business, leading a marine organization or pursuing a career in marine environmental management, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine policy, fisheries, aquaculture, seafood or a related field, our vast marine and coastal resources, experiential programs, marine business partnerships, and internship opportunities will help you reach your full potential.

The scenic shores of coastal Maine — including 91AV’s one mile of coastline and an island just off our shores — provide an ideal environment for you to learn and explore. Your experiences are grounded in a curriculum that provides a sound base of knowledge in marine business and financial management, team building skills, marine economics and marine science. The internship and experiential research requirements ensure that you have the tools you need for a successful career.

Collaborations between the 91AV and other institutions, organizations and individuals increase the breadth of student opportunities. To date, discussions have been held with more than 20 companies and organizations to open collaboration avenues for students.

Curricular Requirements

  CREDITS

CAS CORE REQUIREMENTS

42-46

Program Required Courses

65-69

Business Requirements 31
BUMK 200 - Marketing 3
BUAC 201 or 201G - Financial Accounting 3
BUEC 204 or 204G - Microeconomics 3
BUMG 302 or 302G - Human Resource Management 3
BUMK 312 or 312G - Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management 3
BUFI 315 or 315G - Financial Concepts & Skills 3
BUMG 325 - Legal Environment of Business 3
BUEC 390 - Environmental Economics 3
BUMG 307 - Operations Management 3
BUMG 410 - Creating Social Enterprises 4
   
Marine Science Requirements 25-29
MAR 106 - Biology II of Marine Organisms 4
MAR 150 - Elementary Oceanography 4
MAR 250 - Marine Biology 4
One course from Organismal Biology Area (see list below) 3-4
One course from Process Area (see list below) 3-4
MAR 325 - Marine Science Speaker Series 1
   

Marine Science Requirements

Two courses from the following list:

 
BIO 221 - Principles of Aquaculture 3
BIO 222 - Finfish/Shellfish Culture Techniques 4
MAR 365 - Ocean Ecosystem Based Management 3
MAR 432 - Fisheries Biology 4
MAR 316 - Science and Society 3
MAR 260 - Coastal and Ocean Law 3
   
Interdisciplinary Requirements 9
BUEC 399 - Economic Topics: Marine Economy 3
BUMG 400/MAR 410 - Management Seminar/Marine Research 3
BUMG 495/MAR 495 Business Internship/Marine Internship 3
   
Area Courses  
Organismal Biology Area  
BIO 204 - Parasitology 4
BIO 232 - Microbiology 4
BIO 234 - Environmental Microbiology 4
BIO 319 - Ornithology 4
BIO 330 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4
MAR 320 - Invertebrate Zoology 4
MAR 331 - Biology of Fishes 4
MAR 355 - Biology of Marine Mammals 4
MAR 375 - Biology of Sharks, Skates and Rays 4
MAR 442 - Aquatic Invasive Species 3
   
Process Area  
BIO 333 - Evolution 3
BIO 350 - Ecology 4
MAR 335 - Animal/Behavioral Ecology 4
MAR 350 - Marine Ecology 4

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

/cas/programs/pre-health-graduate-school-preparation-tracks-non-degree

 

Academic and Technical Standards

  1. MARE majors must earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA ("C") in all required business courses. 
  2. A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Marine Science. 
  3. Students have a maximum of seven years to complete the graduation requirements.

 Accreditation

All degree programs offered by the Departments of Business and Marine Science are accredited by The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).  

Learning Outcomes

As a result of completing the BS in Marine Entrepreneurship, graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a strong foundation in both Marine Science and Business Administration.
  1. Utilize integrated knowledge and skill achieved from both areas of study to address issues related to the creation and development of marine-related businesses and the marine economy.
  1. Demonstrate effective skills in oral and written communications and team building to convey scientific and business knowledge and research results to peers and the public, as well as to scientific, business, and investor audiences.
  1. Demonstrate an understanding and the application of the concepts of sustainable marine entrepreneurship to the development of new ventures related to the marine economy.
  1. Evaluate and articulate the rewards and risks of undertaking sustainable marine entrepreneurship by being able to measure the economic, social and environmental risks and rewards (triple bottom line) of new ventures, plus being able to measure and compare short-term economic risks and returns of a marine start-up with the long-term expected benefits.
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the changes to marine ecosystems faced by local and global communities and the ability to recognize new business opportunities that arise as a result of rapid ecosystem changes and business responses to those.
  1. Apply acquired marine and business skills to investigate and evaluate aspects of the marine economy and its allied marine policy environment that impact marine entrepreneurship decisions.

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor. 

Transfer Credit

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at 91AV in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.  All courses completed must be no older than five years.  Other restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Admissions

Financial Information

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the 91AV for the 2017-2018 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication April 28, 2017.

The 91AV reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.