Outcome Statement for Marine Affairs Majors
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The Department of Marine Affairs has developed
its undergraduate major B.S. program in Coastal Marine Policy and Management
with a mix of departmental courses focusing on coastal/ocean management.
Together with supporting courses in other fields the major provides
students with a body of knowledge, conceptual frameworks, skills, problem-solving
abilities, and an awareness of individual and societal interplay with
the wider and dynamic world around them.
The capabilities developed by students
in this program are the cumulative product of the following integrated
elements:
• courses in the Marine Affairs
Department major (30 credits)
• supporting requirements: Biology 101, Math 111 or 131, OCG 123
or 401, STA 220 or 308, WRT 333
•supporting electives in AFS, BIO, CHM, NRS, OCE, PHY, REN, STA
(18 credits, at least nine at 300 level or higher
• general education requirements
Knowledge
1. Depth and Application of Knowledge:
You will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to pursue and obtain
a professional position or graduate/professional training in your field.
At the completion of your program of study you will be able to:
a. identify the key physical and biological
characteristics of the coastal/ocean natural environment [e.g., food
webs, coastal erosion, sources of pollution, freshwater-salt water interplay]
b. appreciate the multiple uses of coastal and ocean areas
c. understand the importance of coastal/ocean areas to human well-being
d. understand that humans are an important component of the coastal/ocean
ecosystem
e. comprehend the sectoral and integrated governance and management
efforts of coastal/ocean uses
f. comprehend the political, and social, and economic factors influencing
governance and management efforts
g. understand the interplay of science and public policy
h. comprehend the emerging efforts at ecosystem-based governance and
management of coastal/ocean areas and their legal, political, social,
and economic implications
i. explain the historical development of the field of marine affairs
j. understand basic legal principles and the legal framework of coastal/ocean
space
2. Quantitative Competence: You will identify
and use appropriate quantitative methods to analyze relevant data. At
the completion of your program of study you will have the ability to:
a. understand statistical concepts
in marine affairs
b. utilize statistical techniques to draw inferences and develop governance
and management recommendations
c. understand basic mathematical operations that could be applied to
marine affairs
3. Methods of Inquiry: You will understand
and use methods of inquiry appropriate to marine affairs and have the
ability to:
a. understand research as a process
of critical inquiry dedicated to the development and evaluation of knowledge
b. develop research questions, the answers to which can improve governance
and management efforts
c. comprehend different research methodologies, their strengths and
limitations
d. understand and apply geographical information systems (GIS) to marine
affairs analyses
e. understand the use and limitations of modeling techniques in marine
affairs
4. Problem-Solving: You will use acquired
knowledge, skills, and insights to solve complex problems. At the completion
of your program of study you will have the ability to:
a. recognize the dimensions and complexity
of the types of problems facing marine affairs analysts in their political
context
b. understand the need to incorporate knowledge, methods, and skills
from a variety of fields
c. comprehend the multiple concerns that may be at stake in any given
problem area
d. develop effective management
Communication
5. Information Management: You will gather
and interpret information from diverse sources and be able to:
a. develop knowledge of available data
sources
b. locate and collect data from appropriate sources
c. logically analyze, critically evaluate, and draw appropriate conclusions
from gathered data
d. manipulate data bases and utilize geographical information systems
(GIS)
6. Communication: You will communicate
clearly and effectively and be able to:
a. speak in an articulate, organized
manner with clear presentation of ideas, research findings, making effective
use of time and being able to respond to questions
b. write in a logical and concise manner, effectively utilizing collected
data and analysis
c. prepare appropriate visual materials, charts, graphs, maps, and diagrams
d. tailor written/oral communications as appropriate for different audiences
7. Multi-Disciplinary Perspective: You
will recognize the value of, and participate in, multidisciplinary teams
and be able to:
a. incorporate/integrate the contributions
of multiple disciplines to marine affairs analyses
b. interact effectively with professionals in multiple fields
Personal growth
8. Ethical principles: You will understand
and apply ethical principles to issues, problems, and professional practices
and will:
a. understand the ethical questions
that arise in coastal/ocean management
b. develop a personal ethic related to the discipline of marine affairs
c. understand ethics in the academic, research, and professional environment
9. Global Awareness: You will develop
an awareness of the global community and ecology in its multiple dimensions
and will:
a. be familiar with global environmental
concerns
b. be knowledgeable of major international efforts to achieve better
coastal/ocean management and the requirements of coordinating and harmonizing
such efforts
c. be aware of approaches of different societies to coastal/ocean questions
d. understand how different cultures and societies adapt to and use
their coastal/ocean resources
e. understand the role of the United States in global ocean affairs
10. Personal Development: You will develop
a sense of responsibility to self, community and will:
a. recognize the role you may play
in coastal/ocean management
b. develop interpersonal and organizational skills needed for professional
life
c. use reflection and self-evaluation to set goals for personal development
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Description of ocean/coastal environment/ecology
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Knowledge of ocean/coastal uses, stakeholders
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Impact and significance of human uses
on ocean/coastal environment
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Need for ocean/coastal governance/management
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Governance/management institutions,
processes, approaches and policies
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Difficulties in achieving effective
governance/management
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Advancing governance/management, ecosystem-based
management
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