Master of Marine and Environmental Science

University of the Virgin Islands

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The Master of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) degree provides students with the training and skills necessary for planning, conducting, and evaluating research in marine and environmental science. Additionally, students explore how to utilize research to manage natural resources, with a particular focus on the issues and challenges related to natural resource management in the Caribbean region. The program draws upon the expertise of faculty within several units of UVI, in particular the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies and the Division of Science and Mathematics. Further, it is a bridge between academia and natural resource management sectors within the US Virgin Islands, the greater Caribbean, and beyond.

There are two tracks of study in the MMES program: a science based track for those students who wish to focus on research, and a management based track for those students who wish to focus on resource management issues. The program structure allows students to become conversant in the language of both research and resource management, and then to focus on their area of particular interest. Graduates of the program are prepared for a wide array of careers in academic, government, non-profit, and private sectors.

Core coursework in the first year is designed to provide the broad theoretical and practical background and tools necessary for effectively conducting scientific research, managing natural resources and communicating the results of research and management decisions to various audiences. All students enrolled in the MMES program complete four two-semester core courses:

Fall Year 1

Physical and Ecological Processes along a Land-Sea Gradient I (3 credits)
Research Methodologies and Tools I (3 credits)
Natural Resource Management I (3 credits)
Professional Development I (1 credit)
Spring Year 1

Physical and Ecological Processes along a Land-Sea Gradient II (3 credits)
Research Methodologies and Tools II (3 credits)
Natural Resource Management II (3 credits)
Professional Development II (1 credit)
Course Descriptions

Physical and Ecological Processes along a Land-Sea Gradient I
This course provides a theoretical and hands-on introduction to global ecological concepts and diverse ecosystems. Students will be introduced to current ecological thinking through readings and discussion, including primary literature. They will also participate in laboratory and field work to introduce them to local flora and fauna and the habitats (terrestrial, coastal and marine) in which they are found. Two fifty minutes of lectures and 3 hours of laboratory per week.

Physical and Ecological Processes along a Land-Sea Gradient II
This course follows up on knowledge and skills that were introduced in Physical and Ecological Processes I. Ecological concepts will be examined by using the interactions between local flora and fauna and the abiotic environment along a land-to-sea gradient as specific examples. Students will examine conceptual models linking terrestrial, coastal and marine zones, and examine the effect of large scale physical changes on ecological processes through specific case studies. Students will also participate in collecting data for long-term ecological studies. Two fifty minutes of lectures and 3 hours of laboratory per week.

Research Methodologies and Tools I
This course sets the theoretical and practical foundations for conducting scientific research. Students will learn how to design research projects from inception of an idea, formalizing a hypothesis, designing sampling/experimental techniques and data collection, and an overview of statistical and geospatial analyses. Two 50 minute lectures and one 3 hour laboratory per week.

Research Methodologies and Tools II
This course provides training in database management, and the statistical and geospatial tools necessary to conduct research in natural and social sciences. Two 50 minute lectures and one 3 hour laboratory per week

Natural Resource Management I
This core course provides an overview of environmental management by examining services provided by natural resources, introducing resource management paradigms, and analyzing case studies. Three 50 minute lectures per week.

Natural Resource Management II
This core course provides continued training in natural resource management with particular emphasis on Caribbean coastal and marine ecosystems. Students will examine institutions and policies that influence natural resource management, have the opportunity to interact with guest lecturers from local natural resource management agencies, and work as a team on a project that addresses a local resource management issue. Three 50 minute lectures per week.

Professional Development I
This course provides an introduction to the tools necessary to be a successful scientist and resource manager. It will address communication with diverse audiences, public speaking and presentations skills, negotiation and conflict resolution. One 1 hour discussion per week.

Professional Development II
This course continues to build students’ professional skills. It will address proposal preparation and presentation, grantsmanship, and ethics, and will introduce students to project planning. Additional topics covered will depend on the professional interests of students in the course. One 1 hour discussion per week.