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PSM - Curriculum

The Professional Masters in Marine Biology Program provides students with a practice-oriented education experience. Courses in each of the three segments of the program are based at marine field stations where there is seamless integration of lecture, lab, and field activities.  Students exit the program with not only an understanding of marine biology that is both extensive and rich in detail, but they are familiar with the marine flora and fauna in three different ecosystems, making them valuable to employers on either coast of the United States and in the tropics.  Of equal importance is that students finish the program knowing how to do science rather than simply how to understand it.

The progressive and incremental structure of our curriculum allows student with only an intermediate exposure to the biological sciences to emerge from the program ready to plan and execute marine research, whether in the top doctoral programs, or in a career with government agencies or private consulting firms.   Our curriculum is as follows:

Fall semester

During the Fall semester at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant, students gain the strong foundation needed for subsequent portions of the program in the fundamental areas of marine biology, ecology, and experimental design. Students are exposed to the flora and fauna of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Maine.  Courses include:

Winter Semester

The Winter semester at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Bocas del Toro, Panama features coursework in coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove ecosystems, and includes extensive time in the field for class research projects.  Students also have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project.  Courses include:

Spring Semester

The Spring semester at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratory on San Juan Island completes the first year with field-intensive coursework that exploits the pristine rocky intertidal habitats, kelp forests, and oceanic settings in the Straits of Juan de Fuca.   Once again, students have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project.  Courses include:

Summer Semester

Students spend the Summer semester in their internship position.  However they retain full-time student status, and will be registered in the following courses: Courses include:

* preserves full-time status

Fall Semester, Second Year

Students continue their internship in the Fall semester of the second year, and they continue to retain full-time student status.  Students will return to the Marine Science Center late in the fall to present their independent research, submit their research paper, meet with first year students, and attend exit interviews.  Courses include: