Program Overview

Master of Science in Marine Science and Oceanography

The Master of Science in Marine Science and Oceanography is a graduate program that offers students the opportunity to graduate with a thesis or non-thesis degree. Both options require the successful completion of 37 credits.

Curriculum

A student's curriculum consists of a minimum of 37 credits. The suggested course schedule includes:

• Required Courses: Four courses (10 credits) are required of all M.S. MSO students:
  • Physical & Geological Oceanography | OCE 6097 | 3 credits
  • Biological Oceanography | OCB 6066 | 3 credits
  • Chemical Oceanography OR Chemistry for Environmental Scientists | OCC 6050 or CHS 6611 | 3 credits
  • Marine Science and Oceanography Colloquium | OCE 6922 | 1 credit OR Marine Science Seminar | BSC 6938 | 1 credit

Thesis Track

• Electives: 15-21 credits from the approved course list.
• Up to 6 credits designated as "Special Topics" courses may be taken with the approval of the Thesis Advisor.
• No more than 6 credits of electives taken outside of the approved course list will be counted toward the degree.
• No courses under the 5000 level may be taken.
• No more than 3 credits of Directed Independent Research (OCE 6908) may be counted toward this degree.
• Thesis Proposal: 1 credit (OCE 6970)
• Thesis Research: 6 to 12 credits (OCE 6972)
• Thesis Defense: 1 credit (OCE 6975)

Non-Thesis Track

• Electives: A minimum of 24 credits from the areas approved course list.
• Up to 6 credits designated as "Special Topics" courses may be taken with the approval of the student's Advisor.
• No more than 6 credits of electives taken outside the approved course list will be counted toward the degree.
• No courses under the 5000 level may be taken.
• No more than 3 credits of Directed Independent Research (OCE 6908) may be counted toward this degree.
• Comprehensive Exams: 1 credit (OCE 6964)

Approved Courses

Approved elective courses may be any graduate-level course from the College of Science or College of Engineering and Computer Science. It is recommended that students compare the course catalog to available courses for every semester. The University reserves the right to amend, adopt, or make effective any provision, offering, requirement, or policy at any time without notice within the student's period of study at FAU.

Examples of Electives

• BOT 6606 | Coastal Plant Ecology
• BOT 6606L | Coastal Plant Ecology Lab
• BSC 6342 | Advances in Finfish Aquaculture
• BSC 6346 | Introduction to Marine Biotechnology
• BSC 6846 | Scientific Communication
• BSC 6936 | Special Topics
• CHS 6611 | Chemistry for Environmental Scientists
• EVR 6358 | Restoration Implementation and Management
• EVS 5385 | Image & Video Processing & Vision in Marine Environment
• GEO5305 | Biogeography
• GIS 5033C | Digital Image Analysis
• GIS 5038C | Remote Sensing of the Environment
• GIS 5051C | Principles of Geographic Information Systems
• GIS 5100C | Applications in Geographic Information Systems
• GIS 5103C | Programming in Geographic Information Systems
• GIS 6039 | Advanced Remote Sensing
• GIS 6120 | Topics in Geoinformation Science
• GIS 6127 | Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
• GLY 5243 | Environmental Geochemistry
• GLY 5575C | Shore Erosion and Protection
• GLY 5736C | Marine Geology
• GLY 6352 | Comparative Carbonate Sedimentology
• GLY 6708C | Beach Morphodynamics
• GLY 6737 | Coastal Environments
• GLY 6746 | Global Environmental Change
• GLY 6838 | Methods in Hydrogeology
• GLY 6888 | Coastal Hazards
• GLY 6934 | Advanced Topics in Applied, Coastal, and Hydrogeology
• OCB 6266 | Coral Reef Ecosystems
• OCB 6266L | Coral Reef Ecosystems/Lab
• OCB 6673 | Data Processing for studies & Modeling of Marine Systems
• OCB 6715C | Marine Fisheries Ecology and Management
• OCB 6810 | Natural History of the Indian River Lagoon
• OCE 6019 | Marine Global Change
• OCE 6267 | Underwater Optical Imaging for Marine Scientists
• OCE 6269 | Marine Optics
• OCE 6350 | Dynamics of Marine Biogeochemical Processes
• OCE 6680 | Ocean Monitoring Systems & Implementation Strategies
• PCB 6045 | Conservation Biology
• PCB 6046 | Advanced Ecology
• PCB 6316 | Marine & Estuarine Community Dynamics
• PCB 6317 | Marine Ecology
• PCB 6317L | Marine Ecology Lab and Field Studies
• PCB 6406 | Ecological Theory
• PCB 6456 | Experimental Design and Biometry
• PCB 6457 | Advanced Multivariate Biometry
• PCB 6465 | Marine Molecular Biology
• PCB 6772 | Aquatic Animal Health
• PCB 6775 | Physiology of Marine Animals
• PCB 6871 | Sensory Biology & Behavior of Fishes
• ZOO 6256 | Marine Invertebrate Zoology
• ZOO 6256L | Marine Invertebrate Zoology Lab
• ZOO 6406 | Biology of Sea Turtles
• ZOO 6409 | Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives
• ZOO 6456 | Natural History of Fishes
• ZOO 6456L | Natural History of Fishes Lab
• ZOO 6459 | Seminar in Ichthyology
• ZOO 6757 | Histology of Fishes & Aquatic Invertebrates

Additional Information

Florida Atlantic's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute engages with the community through the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center and the Ocean Science Lecture Series. Harbor Branch's research and outreach programs translate marine science to provide solutions that improve economies and quality of life for coastal communities.