Program of Study - Ocean, Coastal and Earth Sciences (MS)
Mission
The mission of the Master of Science in Ocean, Coastal and Earth Science (OCES) degree program is to provide students with a unique integrative education and training experience that prepares them to meet the challenges and opportunities in the multiple dimensions of contemporary marine, coastal, and environmental science disciplines.
Specifically, the OCES program targets students wishing to pursue a graduate degree with the intention of entering the work force to contribute their gained expertise and comprehensive understanding of complex ecological and resource systems made up of biotic and abiotic components coexisting and interacting with human communities and relevant socio-economic activities in ocean and coastal zone environments.
This multidisciplinary degree program is designed to provide a rigorous applied and theoretical education in the marine and coastal sciences with emphasis on the environmental impacts of anthropogenic and natural forcings along the Texas coastline and beyond.
Students graduating from the program will be prepared to take on decision-making positions in a wide range of governmental agencies and NGOs. They can expect a broad set of science careers, within and beyond academia, including private and public sector organizations concerned with marine and coastal systems, recognizing that rivers, estuaries, and the oceans are fundamentally important to our societies.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in OCES, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Statement of Research, including potential research advisor(s) in SEEMS or UTRGV with whom the applicant wants to work for thesis research.
- CV or Resume.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- GRE General Test with minimum scores with verbal 154 and quantitative 144. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements
Required Core Courses (4 Credits)
| EEMS 6100 | Systems Science and Applications Seminar | 1 |
| EEMS 6300 | Ecosystem Management and Social-Ecological Resilliency | 3 |
Prescribed Electives (17 Credits)
Free Electives (9 Credits)
Courses from any discipline that pertain to policies and management of the environment and natural resources, may be taken with the approval of the GAC.
Capstone Requirement (6 Credits)
Thesis
Total Credit Hours: 36