The Intercampus Marine Science (IMS) graduate program is fundamentally grounded in a broad, integrated approach to the study of marine sciences and related technologies. Offered at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell, this degree helps you build a foundation in the natural and social sciences related to marine and coastal systems to prepare you for interdisciplinary studies and research focusing upon an area of concentration. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready for a career in academia as a researcher and scholar who will contribute to the application of your learnings in marine sciences, marine resource management, and marine economic development, or in the governmental or private sectors.
Thesis option
Each student electing the thesis option will be assigned a Thesis Committee, chaired by the student’s major advisor, which will be responsible for ensuring that the student fulfills all requirements of IMS, as well as other campus requirements, including presentation of a thesis defense, consisting of a public lecture on the thesis, and a subsequent oral examination by the Thesis Committee. A student’s committee is chaired by the student’s major advisor and guides the student’s research. Committee members may be selected from IMS faculty, other departments, and other institutions. Committees are encouraged to include at least one IMS faculty member from a campus other than the campus where the student resides.
The MS program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours with the thesis option. Students are required to take three core courses (9 credits) and choose additional courses (15 credits minimum) appropriate to a selected area of concentration. Attendance at a weekly seminar series is required (2 credits total, included in the above 15) and each student must present at least one seminar in their third or fourth semester. It is also required that students apply a minimum of 6 credit hours toward thesis research. The student must achieve an overall average of 3.0 in the MS degree program. Full-time MS students normally complete their degree requirements in four semesters. Part-time MS students are encouraged to take two courses per semester.
Non-thesis option
Each student electing the non-thesis option, in addition to an additional 3 credits, must complete a substantial research paper that must be read and approved by the major advisor and at least one other faculty member. The MS program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours with the non-thesis option. Students are required to take three core courses (9 credits) and choose additional courses (22 credits minimum) appropriate to a selected area of concentration.
Attendance at a weekly seminar series is required (1 credit each for two semesters) and each student must present at least one seminar in their third or fourth semester. Full-time MS students normally complete their degree requirements in four semesters. The student must achieve an overall average of 3.0 in the MS degree program.
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