Ocean Science BS/Marine Sciences MS

The Ocean Science B.S./Marine Sciences M.S. (thesis) Double Dawgs pathway is intended for students who have a strong interest in pursuing careers related to ocean and marine sciences. This program will provide students with the knowledge and quantitative skills necessary to participate in a range of environment- and marine-related fields: natural resources, aquaculture, public policy, water quality monitoring programs, and private consulting. Students will be well prepared to pursue doctoral degrees in Oceanography and other related fields or to seek employment as field/lab technicians, educators, resource managers, environmental consultants, or in government agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, demand for these occupations is projected to increase over the next decade as there is a societal need to address marine-related problems in a rigorous and interdisciplinary way.

Admission to Program

Ocean Science majors may apply to the Ocean Science B.S./Marine Sciences M.S. (thesis) Double Dawgs pathway as early as the fall semester of their junior year and should be doing research with an advisor during their junior year. Students who meet the eligibility requirements specified below should arrange to meet with either the Ocean Science undergraduate coordinator or academic advisor and should also meet with the Marine Sciences graduate coordinator early in the semester to discuss program feasibility and to be advised on coursework requirements.

To be eligible for the Ocean Science B.S./Marine Sciences M.S. (thesis) Double Dawgs pathway, students must:
- Have completed at least 60 credit hours before the start of their junior year
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.2 at the time they apply to the Double Dawgs pathway
- Have completed the following foundation science and mathematics courses (or their equivalents) with a B (3.0) average or better: (CHEM 1211-1211D, CHEM1211L/CHEM 1212-1212D, CHEM 1212L), (BIOL 1107, BIOL 1107L/BIOL 1108, BIOL 1108L), (PHYS 1111-1111L/PHYS 1112-1112L) or (PHYS 1211-1211L/PHYS 1212-1212L), and MATH 2250.

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

MARS 6400 (3hrs)
MARS 6520 (3hrs)
MARS 6800 (3hrs)
MARS 6810 (3hrs)

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

MARS 4100/6100 (or permission of department) is required prior to taking the core graduate course MARS 8030. MARS 7380 (Quantitative Methods in Marine Science) is a required course for the M.S., but testing out is a possibility.

The M.S. program expects students to complete a master’s thesis, enrolling in 3 hours of MARS 7000 and MARS 7300 for preparation of the thesis.

Admission to Graduate Program

Students will formally apply to the Marine Sciences M.S. (thesis) program by the end of the fall semester of year four with acceptance contingent on having successfully completed the Ocean Science B.S. degree. Prospective students are required to submit a statement of interest as part of the application process. Students will also be required to submit three letters of reference; one must be a letter of support from their thesis faculty advisor in the Department of Marine Sciences. The Marine Sciences Graduate Affairs Committee will review applications using the same acceptance criteria that are used for traditional applicants to the program.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Clifton Buck
  • Email: csbuck@uga.edu
  • Phone: 912-598-2418
  • Address: Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Ocean Science B.S.
  • Department/College: Marine Sciences

Advising Contact

  • Name: Bill Miller
  • Email: bmiller@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-4299
  • Address: Marine Sciences Building, Office 286A

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Marine Sciences M.S.
  • Department/College: Marine Sciences

Advising Contact

  • Name: Clifton Buck
  • Email: csbuck@uga.edu
  • Phone: 912-598-2418
  • Address: Skidaway Institute of Oceanography