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UM Home > Academic Bulletin > Undergraduate Academic Programs > Marine & Atmospheric Science Program

Academic Bulletin

DOROTHY H. AND LEWIS ROSENSTIEL SCHOOL OF MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
www.rsmas.miami.edu

The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science was established in 1943 as the Marine Laboratory of the University of Miami. It has grown from its modest beginnings in a boathouse to be one of the nations leading institutions for oceanographic research and education.

Originally a tropical marine biological facility, the Marine Laboratory initiated a program of studies leading to the Master of Science degree in 1949. In 1953, laboratory and classroom buildings were constructed on the Schools present campus on Virginia Key, and in the late fifties, the Marine Laboratory expanded its staff and developed its oceanographic capabilities in response to the increased interest in scientific research in the United States. It became the Institute of Marine Science in 1961. Ocean-going research vessels were acquired and additional buildings were constructed to accommodate new wide-ranging projects. In 1969, the Institute, now a School, was named for Dorothy H. and Lewis Rosenstiel in recognition of a major contribution, made through the Rosenstiel Foundation, to encourage progress in the marine and atmospheric sciences at the University of Miami.

Today the Rosenstiel School has a faculty of 105 scientists who conduct sponsored research while offering studies leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Government agencies and private organizations support basic and applied research at the Rosenstiel School. Graduate students are an integral part of the research effort, and research programs, many multidisciplinary in nature, provide the environment within which professors and students interact.

The Rosenstiel School has a state-of-the-art catamaran, unrivaled worldwide for both shallow and deep water research. The vessel, named the F. G. WALTON SMITH, in honor of the founder of the Rosenstiel School, signals a new era in scientific research.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Marine science is concerned with the study of the ocean in all of its aspects. It is the application of the classical scientific fields to the marine environment.

The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science offers degree programs on both the undergraduate and graduate levels for students interested in marine and atmospheric science as a career.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Rosenstiel School and the College of Arts and Sciences jointly offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in marine affairs, and a Bachelor of Science degree in marine science/biology, marine science/chemistry, marine science/geology, marine science/physics, marine science/computer science, and meteorology.

The Bachelor of Arts degree will be useful to students planning either non-technical careers with government agencies or private industries directly or indirectly concerned with the ocean, or graduate studies in such areas as business, law, economics, political science, education, or communication.

Marine Affairs and Policy, in cooperation with the undergraduate Marine and Atmospheric Science program, also offers a five-year BA/MA program in Marine Affairs. This program enables qualified students to earn a B.A. in MAF in four years with the opportunity to earn a M.A. in MAF at the Rosenstiel School with only one additional year.

The Bachelor of Science degree program is meant for students planning to continue with graduate studies in marine and atmospheric science, or for those who will pursue a technical career in this area.

For more information about the undergraduate degree programs, see MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE under College of Arts and Sciences elsewhere in this Bulletin.

GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science offers graduate degree programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees, with a major in marine and atmospheric chemistry, marine biology and fisheries, marine geology and geophysics, meteorology and physical oceanography, and applied marine physics. The division of marine affairs and policy offers interdisciplinary Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees only.

Students interested in pursuing marine sciences on the graduate level should elect an undergraduate major in one of the basic scientific disciplines or the marine science double major.

The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science admits graduate students in the following categories. Regular admission is for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree. Non-degree admission provides an opportunity for graduate study to qualified applicants who do not wish to work toward an advanced degree but who have special objectives for professional study, or who already hold an advanced degree and desire additional coursework in the field. No more than twelve (12) credit hours may be taken while in non-degree status. A Certificate Program is available in all areas of study. This program provides professional training for any student who requires training in a specific research area but does not require an advanced degree. This program consists of one year, full-time study with a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours. Transient status is a type of non-degree admission available to students enrolled in a graduate program elsewhere but desiring to earn credit at the University of Miami for the purpose of transferring it to the home institution. All graduate students are required to demonstrate the ability to prepare and teach scientific material.

An application for admission to the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science consists of the application form, application fee, transcripts, results of the Graduate Record Examination, results of the TOEFL exam (for international students), and three letters of recommendation from persons knowing the applicants academic abilities. The application should be filed by January 1st in order to be considered for admission the following Fall semester. Students are normally admitted only in the Fall semester; however, under certain circumstances, applicants may be considered for Spring admission. No action is taken on an application until all required elements are received.

Because of space limitations, only a small percentage of those applying for graduate study in marine and atmospheric science can be accepted. Undergraduate scholastic performance, the reputation of the school involved, Graduate Record Examination scores, and the letters of recommendation are all considered in evaluating an application.

A detailed description of the Rosenstiel School, its faculty, educational and research facilities, curriculum, and degree requirements, is contained in the Bulletin of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Information can be found on the Rosenstiel School web site located at www.rsmas.miami.edu/grad-studies/.

ROSENSTIEL – ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

APPLIED MARINE PHYSICS/OCEAN ENGINEERING - Dept. Code: AMP

Students who wish to enter the applied marine physics program should have strong undergraduate preparation in the basic sciences and may major in such fields as physics, mathematics, geophysics, or engineering.

MARINE AFFAIRS AND POLICY - Dept. Code: MAF

The Division of Marine Affairs and Policy accepts highly-qualified students who wish to pursue an academic degree program that combines a basic curriculum in marine science with a complementary program in a non-marine science discipline. Student programs are individually designed and lead to an M.A. degree or an M.S. degree. The M.A. curriculum requires participation in the intern program in lieu of a thesis. The M.S. curriculum requires a thesis. The program is intended to provide the student with a broadened perspective of marine issues and problem-solving abilities. MAF also offers a specialization in aquaculture management. This track focuses on technological, environmental, and economic feasibility of sustainable aquaculture operations.

MAF, in cooperation with the Undergraduate Marine and Atmospheric Science Program, also offers a five-year BA/MA Program in Marine Affairs. This program enables qualified students to earn a B.A. in MAF in four years with the opportunity to earn an M.A. in MAF at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science with only one additional year. Conditional acceptance to the M.A. program in MAF is based on the students GPA at the end of their sophomore year. Students must then take GRE exams and apply for acceptance to the Graduate School at Rosenstiel during their junior year.

The Division of Marine Affairs and Policy at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and the University of Miami School of Law offer a Joint degree program in Law and MAF. Upon completion of this program, a student earns a Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law and the M.A. in MAF from Rosenstiel. A student may complete requirements for both degrees within three and one-half years in an intensive program of six semesters and two full summers. This program is geared toward students who want a career in the field of law with a specialization in marine and environmental issues.

MARINE AND ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY - Dept. Code: MAC

Undergraduate training for graduate work in marine and atmospheric chemistry should be in chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics; also useful may be courses in geology and biochemistry.

Courses at the 500 level are open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Courses open only to graduate students (600 level) are listed in the Bulletin of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

MARINE BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES - Dept. Code: MBF

Students admitted to the graduate program in the Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries are required to have a strong undergraduate preparation in the life sciences, with additional coursework in mathematics (calculus), physics, and chemistry (through organic).

Courses at the 500 level are open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Courses open only to graduate students (600 level) are listed in the Bulletin of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS - Dept. Code: MGG

The undergraduate student wishing to prepare for graduate work in marine geology and geophysics must be well trained in the basic sciences. According to the special interests of the individual, the undergraduate training should be in physics, chemistry, geology or mathematics.

Courses at the 500 level are open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Courses open only to graduate students (600 level) are listed in the Bulletin of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

METEOROLOGY AND PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY - Dept. Code: MPO

Students applying for admission to graduate study in the Division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography should have a solid undergraduate background in mathematics and physics or engineering.

Courses at the 500 level are open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Courses open only to graduate students (600 level) are listed in the Bulletin of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

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