4+1 B.S./M.S. Program in Marine Sciences & Oceanography

Students pursuing a UConn undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Sciences can apply to use up to 12 credits of graduate coursework taken as an undergraduate towards both their B.S. and their M.S. For students in the accelerated program, the Master of Science Plan B degree can be earned in a single year after finishing the B.S.  The curriculum includes coursework in biological, chemical, physical and geological oceanography and an examination in their final year.

Potential employers include non-governmental organizations, state and federal agencies, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, and environmental consulting firms. This program may also provide preparation for more advanced graduate studies, although students interested in research are encouraged to apply for the thesis-based M.S. also offered by the Department of Marine Sciences.

Joint B.S./M.S. Program Coordinators: Claudia Koerting (Claudia.koerting@uconn.edu) and the Chair of the Graduate Exam Committee.

Required Core Courses

All students in the accelerated program must take four core courses: MARN 5010, 5030. 5050, and 5065. To finish the combined program in five years, MARN 5010 and 5050 should be taken in Year Four as an undergraduate student and MARN 5030 and 5065 should be taken in Year Five as a graduate student.

Students are also required to take at least six credits from the following list: MARN 5012, 5015, 5017, 5032, 5812, 5505, 5018, 5066, 5052, 5210. Six of these credits should be taken in Year Four (as an undergraduate) and can be used for both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees. The remainder of the required 30 credits must be selected from MARN courses, based on the interest of the student and approval of the student’s major advisor. However, no more than six credits can be at the 3000-4000 level, no more than three credits of MARN 5893 and three credits of MARN 5899 are allowed, and no more than three credits of MARN 4893, 4895, 4896W, or 4898 are allowed.

Recommended sequence of the core courses is provided below in order to prepare for the final examination in Year 5.

Year 4 Spring

MARN 5010. Biological Oceanography. 3 credits.
MARN 5050. Geological Oceanography. 3 credits

Year 5 Fall

MARN 5030. Chemical Oceanography. 3 credits
MARN 5065. Physical Oceanography. 3 credits

Final Examination

The students in the joint program will be responsible for the material in the four core courses and must pass a graduate examination to obtain the M.S. degree.  The Graduate Examination Committee will proctor the exam and determine passing grades for the joint students. Students may be allowed to redo a portion of the exam following guidelines set forth by the committee.

Academic Qualifications

For admittance to the joint B.S./M.S. program, students should be in Year 3 or later of the B.S. in Marine Sciences, have completed at least 2 semesters as a full-time student at the University of Connecticut, and have a B (3.00) cumulative grade point average or better at the time of application. To apply, students must have completed two semesters of calculus and at least one semester each of physics, biology, and chemistry at the time of application. We particularly look for talented and motivated students who are committed to graduate studies. The Graduate School requires students to maintain at least a B (3.00) cumulative grade point average in the 30 credits used for the M.S. degree.

Costs

The student can take up to 12 credits as an undergraduate as part of their undergraduate education costs. The student is responsible for the cost of at least 18 credits of graduate education.

Advising

The student may select a graduate advisor from the tenure track faculty or they will be assigned an advisor from the Graduate Exam Committee. The advisor provides guidance in course selection and preparation for the final examination.