The resources of the world's oceans and coastal waters play a major role in the lives of human beings. However, marine environments are increasingly affected by anthropogenic factors such as pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources. As these threats multiply, the need for qualified professionals who can understand these challenges and work to establish meaningful policies and laws to regulate and protect marine and coastal ecosystems has increased, as has the need to effectively communicate these issues to both the general public and those in decision-making. The Marine Affairs program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in this very challenging and important field. This program is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in marine policy, maritime law, coastal and marine resource management, marine law enforcement, and other areas in marine conservation and governance including marine science communication and education. This program also prepares students to undertake graduate work in any of these fields.
Program Outcomes
1. Students can effectively synthesize and apply knowledge about marine & estuarine organisms and marine, estuarine, & coastal systems and their relationships to human systems (e.g. political, legal, economic, health, etc.).
2. Students can effectively evaluate and create strategies to address the effects of issues and problems in marine, estuarine and coastal systems and organisms on human systems.
3. Students can identify & communicate the necessary key components of effective short-term and long-term strategies for management of marine organisms and systems.
4. Students have the ability to effectively function as part of a team & communicate clearly as a team leader.
5. Students can read current peer-reviewed literature and evaluate it for its content.
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