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Department of

Marine Science and Environmental Studies

Marine Science Graduate Program

USD's Department of Marine Science and Environmental Studies offers graduate work leading to the degree of Master of Science in Marine Science. This degree is based largely on research and is intended to provide graduate students with an opportunity to design experiments or observations that test hypotheses; to contribute new information to a knowledge base; and to learn to write in a way that facilitates scientific exchange. Course work and research are combined, culminating in a written thesis. Students can take advantage of San Diego's rich community of ocean specialists.

The program utilizes not only the excellent facilities at the University of San Diego 's Shiley Center for Science and Technology, but those of nearby institutions, such as the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (National Marine Fisheries, NOAA), the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, and the Leon R. Hubbard Hatchery. USD faculty currently are involved in research in marine geochemistry, climatology, paleoclimatology, hydrology, oceanography, marine biology, locomotion and fluid dynamics, physiology, ecology, and population genetics.

Marine Science graduate faculty work in the areas of bioacoustics, aquaculture, molecular genetics, ecology, and physiology. The Master of Science in Marine Science degree can serve as a terminal graduate degree prior to entry into the work force, an enhancement of skills for an existing job in a technical area or in education, or a step toward a doctoral degree.