UMA Undergraduate Guide 2012-2013 Certificate Programs Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate (Five Colleges) The Program
The Program
The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences (FCCMS) Certificate enables students to select from a variety of marine science-related courses, including coastal and marine ecology/geology, resource management and policy, oceanography, and coastal engineering to create a cohesive concentration. Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire Colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst currently award certificates. Under the guidance of faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a progressive series of courses available within the five campuses and in academic off-campus programs (Sea Education Association, Williams-Mystic, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Marine Biological Laboratory, Duke Marine Laboratory, and other approved semester-away programs). Students are required to gain proficiency in data collection through intensive field courses or internships. Students must also participate in a “capstone” independent, marine-related research project, culminating in a paper, presentation, or poster. Students interested in working toward the certificate must first meet with the FCCMS Program Coordinator to determine an introductory course of study. Certificate students are then assigned a FCCMS faculty advisor who ensures a strong concentration in marine sciences, and who reviews and approves the field experience and independent research project. Advisors at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are Betsy Dumont (Biology), Andy Danylchuk (Environmental Conservation), Steven Petsch and Jon Woodruff (Geosciences). Requirements 1.Courses At least one marine-dedicated course must be taken to complete the Certificate requirements (introductory courses are listed in bold on the Certificate course list on the FCCMS website). An introductory course in marine science is strongly recommended, either through Five Colleges or an approved semester-away program. At least three of the courses must be above the introductory level and courses must taken in at least two fields of study. Students must receive a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for all courses contributing to the Certificate requirements. 2. Field/Lab Work 3. Independent Research Project 4. Certificate Application Form and Transcripts Certificate Award The requirements, application form, and current list of approved courses can be downloaded at www.fivecolleges.edu/marine/certificate. |
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