The Program

The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate enables students from the five campuses to select from a wide variety of marine-science-related courses, including coastal and marine ecology/geology, resource management and public policy, oceanography and coastal engineering to create a cohesive concentration. Under the guidance of faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a progressive series of courses available within the five campuses and in approved academic off-campus programs (Sea Education Association, School for Field Studies, Williams-Mystic, Duke University Marine Lab, Shoals Marine Lab, and others). Students are required to gain proficiency in field/lab work through intensive field courses or internships. Finally, students participate in a “capstone” independent, marine-related research project that will count toward the certificate.

The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences (FCCMS) Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete an interdisciplinary curriculum, including course work, field/lab experience, and a marine-related research project.

Requirements

1. Course Work

Under the guidance of the FCCMS faculty advisors, students choose a progressive series of courses available within the five campuses and in approved academic offcampus programs.

  1. A minimum of six courses (18 credit minimum), with at least one course in each of the following categories:
    • Marine Ecology and Biodiversity
    • Marine Geology and Chemistry
    • Resource Management and Policy
  2. At least three of the six courses must be above the introductory level and must be in at least two fields of study (example: they must not all be geology courses).
  3. At least two courses with a heavy concentration in coastal and marine science are required (listed in bold on the FCCMS course list). An introductory course in oceanography is strongly recommended.
  4. D. Students must receive a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better for all courses contributing to the Certificate requirements.

2. Field/Lab Experience

Students must demonstrate competency in data collection by completing a minimum of 80 cumulative hours of coastal and marine-related field and/or lab work. This can be achieved by an appropriate combination of:

  1. Courses that include field/lab experience (field trips, outdoor or indoor laboratory or practicum, field research). These courses may be taken among the Five Colleges or an approved study away program.
  2. An approved summer internship, job, or volunteer experience in a coastal or marine environment.
  3. Work on the independent, marine-related research project (see below).

3. Marine-Related Research Project

Students must consult with FCCMS advisors to develop and complete an independent marine-related research project typically completed during the junior or senior year. Research projects may be based upon work begun during an internship, field course, volunteer or job experience. Requirements for this research project include:

  1. A research project proposal, which must be submitted to the FCCMS advisor for review before the research is conducted; the research itself may be overseen by another faculty member or scientist. The research project proposal form is available at: www.fivecolleges.edu/marine/certificate
  2. Poster presentation: The research project will culminate in a poster, to be presented at FCCMS symposia offered in November and April. Students will seek feedback from FCCMS advisors during poster development, prior to poster presentation.