Undergraduate Programs in Marine Affairs
At the undergraduate level, the Department of Marine Affairs
offers two degree programs: a bachelor of arts (B.A.) and a
bachelor of science (B.S.). Each of these degree programs focuses
on the study of coastal and marine management and examines coastal
management, fisheries law and management, maritime transportation
and ports, and domestic and international ocean law and policy.
Students study a variety of basic ocean and coastal uses and the
social, political, legal, economic, and ecological frameworks in
which they take place and in the context of broader societal
concerns and values. For students majoring in other departments, it is possible to complete a minor in Coastal and Marine Studies in the Department of Marine Affairs. These major programs and the minor are described in detail in the MAF Undergraduate Handbook www.uri.edu/cels/maf/ungradhb.htm.
Aside from expertise gained in the field of marine affairs,
students are expected to obtain a broad, liberal arts education and
to develop strong skills in written and oral expression as well as
in research and analysis. Students in the B.S. program will
undertake a more rigorous preparation in science and math.
Students in the B.A. program complete a minimum of thirty
credits in marine affairs as well as six credits in two required
courses in statistics and oceanography. Those in the B.S. program
must meet these requirements but, in addition, undertake more
substantial preparation in science and math.
Marine Affairs may be combined with studies in other
departments such as Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Geology, Political
Science, Resource Economics, for either a double major or a major-minor program of study.
Graduates have worked in both the public and private sectors
in a wide variety of marine and coastal fields. Internships are
encouraged as they often create the linkage between the university
setting and desired employment positions. Typical areas of
employment have been in government (federal, state, and local)
concerned with coastal zone, environmental, or fishery management,
and marine transportation. In the private sector, students have
secured positions in environmental consulting firms, marine
insurance, public interest non-governmental organizations, marinas,
ports, and companies involved in shipping.
Given the requirements of the contemporary work world, many
students will seek graduate or professional education. The marine
affairs major serves as an educational background for the study of
law, especially environmental, fishery, coastal zone, admiralty,
and ocean law. Students have also entered graduate and
professional programs in environmental management, public
administration, community planning, marine affairs, and related
fields.