Marine Science  {SF State Bulletin 2015 - 2016}

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Marine Science

 

College of Science and Engineering

Dean: Keith Bowman

 

Based at the Romberg Tiburon Center

Web Site: http://rtc.sfsu.edu/grad_studies/index.htm

Administered by the Department of Biology

Web Site: http://biology.sfsu.edu/graduate/marine_sciencesRTC
Graduate Coordinator: Ellen M. Hines ehines@sfsu.edu

 

The M.S. in Marine Science program is an interdisciplinary program offered at San Francisco State University (SF State) by the College of Science and Engineering, based at the Romberg Tiburon Center (RTC; http://rtc.sfsu.edu), and administered by the Department of Biology. Faculty mentors in the program are from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, Geography & Environment, and Earth & Climate Sciences

 

Program

M.S. in Marine Science

 

 

Program Scope

The interdisciplinary MS in Marine Science program includes faculty from a broad spectrum of marine, coastal and estuarine researchers from across SF State departments. The program provides the opportunity for students to acquire a practical and theoretical education in the marine sciences to prepare them for careers as research scientists, teachers, and marine technicians. Through RTC the program provides extensive field and laboratory work for advanced study in the marine sciences.

 

Master of Science in Marine Science

Admission to the Program

Prospective students from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applications are administered by the Biology Department and must comply with the application procedures and deadlines of the Biology Department (http://biology.sfsu.edu/content/applying-sfsu-biology-graduate-programs). Note, the M.S. in Marine Science is distinct from the M.S. in Biology with a concentration in marine biology.

 

Coursework Requirements

Students are required to complete a total of 30 units*, structured as follows:

  • 9-10 units of research credits, comprised of:
    • 6 units of research (BIOL 897/CHEM 897/ERTH 897/GEOG 896), and
    • 3-4 units of thesis (BIOL 898/CHEM 898/ERTH 898/GEOG 898)
  • 20 units of coursework that must include:
    • 4-6 units of graduate seminar courses
    • 14-16 units of remaining coursework, as described below.

 

The 20 units of coursework are broken down below in the following categories I-V:

  1. Scientific Methods for Professional Aquatic Scientists BIOL 708, 3 units:
    Required in the first semester of graduate school.
  2. Graduate Seminars: at least two seminar courses are required.
  3. Students pick at least two of the following core courses*:
    • Biological Oceanography (BIOL 582, 4 units)
    • Chemical Oceanography (CHEM 680, 3 units)
    • Physical Oceanography (ERTH 870, 3 units)
    • Wetland Ecology (BIOL 534, 4 units) or Marine Ecology (BIOL 585, 3 units)
      • Students who have completed these courses under their undergraduate courses can take other courses after advisor’s approval.
  4. Students can choose from a wide range of electives in consultation with their advisor.
    • Electives taught at RTC include:
      • Animal Physiology Lab (BIOL 731, 4 units)
      • Biology of Algae (BIOL 702, 3 units)
      • Marine and Coastal GIS and Remote Sensing (GEOG 629, 3 units)
    • Electives taught at SF State, MLML, or elsewhere (e.g. UC Berkeley):
      • For example, Biometry, Animal Physiology, Conservation Biology, etc…
  5. Current RTC Research, BIOL 883, 2 units. MS in MS students are expected to participate each semester in this formal course for the Wednesday RTC lecture series. Students are expected to enroll in BIOL 883 each semester, though the course can only count twice (4 units total) towards the degree. This course does not fulfill the graduate seminar requirement.

 

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Courses

Most courses for the MS in Marine Science are offered at SF State’s Romberg Tiburon Center and on the main campus. Students may also take equivalent core courses or any elective courses at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories on advisement. Consult the current Moss Landing Marine Laboratories course schedule, https://gradprog.mlml.calstate.edu/class-schedule.

 

 

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