Marine Biology (MARB)
The Department of Marine Biology offers these four degree programs: Marine Biology (MARB), Marine Biology
License Option (MARB/LO), Marine Biology/Biomedical Sciences (MARB/BIMS) and Marine Fisheries
(MARF).
The Marine Biology program provides an excellent education in the biological sciences through studies
undertaken in a unique coastal environment. The curriculum offers broad training in general biology, while emphasizing the local flora
and fauna in estuaries and the marine environment. Students receive hands-on field sampling experience as well as internship
opportunities. A strong preparation in English, mathematics, and the sciences is recommended.
Five tracks are offered within the MARB curriculum. These are a Vertebrate Zoology track, a Coastal and
Wetlands track, a Comprehensive Biology track, a Fisheries Biology track and an Aquatic Animal Health track. Students will declare a
track at the end of their curriculum sophomore year (i.e., when all freshman and sophomore courses have been completed) and will then
be assigned to an advisor whose teaching and research activities lie within that option. Students are required to choose three electives
from courses within their track and to choose two electives from among the other options.
Marine Biology License Option (MARB/LO)
The Marine Biology License Option program allows the marine biology student to prepare for a career as an
officer aboard a seagoing vessel by participating in the U.S. Maritime Service Corps of Cadets. The curriculum provides the basics of
marine biology as well as courses leading toward licensing as a Third Mate of any gross tonnage upon oceans, steam, or motor vessels,
in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
The Marine Biology License Option curriculum is an abbreviated version of the Marine Biology curriculum and
is oriented toward field activities consistent with service aboard research vessels. Students who wish to attend a
biologically-oriented graduate program, or are interested in the medical professions, are advised to take additional coursework in
developmental biology, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology.
Cadets who enroll in and apply to graduate under one of the license option curricula must complete the
appropriate license examination for Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer in order to graduate from Texas A&M University. Certain
USCG courses require a minimum grade of C (70%)
Marine Biology/Biomedical Science (MARB/BIMS)
The Marine Biology/Biomedical Science double major provides an applied understanding of aquatic animal health and disease through
hands-on exposure to marine organisms and their habitats. Students spend their first two years in Galveston obtaining a prerequisite
background in the biological and chemical sciences and then transfer to College Station to study applied biology that is directed
toward understanding health and disease. This program culminates in a rigorous study of marine biology at Galveston. The studies in
Galveston emphasizes dynamic interactions between disease agents and aquatic organisms, especially bivalve, fisheries and marine mammal
stocks. This prepares the graduate for careers in aquatic animal health, seafood technology and various marine-biology related
disciplines, as well as advanced studies in veternary medicine, biological oceanography or related biological disciplines.
Marine Engineering Technology (MARE & MARE/LO)
The Marine Engineering Technology program is designed to prepare the
student for a career as an engineering technologist in the maritime
profession. The program is available in a License Option version for
students who want to serve as an engineering officer aboard seagoing
vessels and in a Non-License Option for students who want an education in
maritime-related applied engineering but do not plan to serve at sea. The
Marine Engineering Technology curriculum is a thermal power-oriented
specialization of a classical Mechanical Engineering Technology program. A
thorough preparation in mathematics, science, and basic engineering
courses is the foundation for further study in ship propulsion plants and
electrical power generation and distribution equipment. The License Option
Program builds on a sound education with professional training obtained by
participating in the U.S. Maritime Service Corps of Cadets.
Marine Engineering Technology focuses on power cycles, principles, and
methods used to convert the energy in fossil fuels into useful power, and
the selection and operation of the major components and support systems in
the power cycle. Courses in marine engineering are supplemented with
studies in naval architecture and maritime application of electrical
engineering fundamentals. The students’ education is enhanced through
the use of computer simulation of propulsion plants and direct operation
of marine machinery aboard the University’s training ship.
Participation in the USMS Corps of Cadets program builds on the Marine
Engineering Technology curriculum with three summer cruises on the
University’s training ship and academic year training in first aid,
marine firefighting, and shipboard maintenance.
Cadets who enroll in and apply to graduate under one of the license option
curricula must complete the appropriate license examination for Third Mate
or Third Assistant Engineer in order to graduate from Texas A&M
University. Certain USCG courses require a minimum grade of C (70%).
Both License and Non-License Option graduates can obtain employment in
shipyards, with marine engineering consulting firms, electric power
utilities, and other industries dealing with energy conversion processes,
equipment selection and manufacture, or sales.
Marine Fisheries (MARF)
The curriculum in Marine Fisheries provides educational opportunities in
the biological sciences, with emphasis on principles of marine fisheries
management. Ecology, taxonomy, zoogeography, culture, and general biology
of commercial species are emphasized. Course offerings are structured to
provide not only a strong basis of formal academic instruction but also
considerable hands-on field and collection experience by taking advantage
of the coastal location of the University. A strong preparation in the
sciences is recommended.
Marine Fisheries graduates are prepared to work as fishery managers or
research biologists for state and federal agencies, ecological consulting
firms, industry, and educational institutions. Qualified degree recipients
may undertake postgraduate studies in resource management, mariculture,
systematics, seafood technology, and fisheries economics.
Marine Sciences (MARS)
The Marine Sciences curriculum offers undergraduate degrees in Galveston
and graduate degrees in College Station. The Marine Sciences program
concentrates on the physical and chemical aspects of science of the
marine, estuarine, and coastal environment. The coastal location of the
campus enables students to acquire extensive hands-on field experience in
addition to a solid base of academic instruction in chemistry, geology,
physics, biology, and mathematics. Advanced work centers around four
semesters of oceanography. Electives in the junior and senior year allow
the student to obtain a broader background in ocean studies or to
specialize, usually in the areas of environmental science, geology, or
chemistry or to prepare for admission to graduate school or professional
positions in industry or government. Students may choose to pursue a minor
in geology or chemistry through TAMU.
The Marine Sciences graduate has a strong, well-rounded foundation in the
quantitative physical sciences with considerable field and laboratory
experience. With suitably chosen electives, graduates are qualified to
enter M.S. or Ph.D. programs in Oceanography or related disciplines, or
alternatively to move directly into the employment market. Graduates go on
to jobs in environmental monitoring, oceanographic instrumentation,
pollution control, the offshore oil industry, and other fields requiring a
general technical background. Many students also go on to careers in the
Navy or with other government agencies.
Marine Sciences License Option (MARS/LO)
This program retains the basic physical science core of the Oceanography
Department’s Marine Sciences program but leads as well toward a license
as a deck officer in the United States Merchant Marine. The student who
successfully completes the license program will be qualified to sit for
the U.S. Coast Guard examination as a Third Mate of any gross tonnage upon
oceans, steam, or motor vessels. Students combine a broad base of courses
in physical science and mathematics and practical instruction in
seamanship and navigation with upper-level oceanography courses chosen by
the student.
The objective of the program is to provide students with a sound
intellectual and educational background to function in a scientifically
and technologically advanced society, while also providing the practical
hands-on training needed for employment in the maritime industry.
Graduates are particularly well qualified to serve on research vessels
where an understanding of the scientific purpose of the voyage is
required. Students who wish to enter a physical science graduate program
will need to take additional course work in science and mathematics.
Cadets who enroll in and apply to graduate under one of the license option
curricula must complete the appropriate license examination for Third Mate
or Third Assistant Engineer in order to graduate from Texas A&M
University. Certain USCG courses require a minimum grade of C (70%).
Marine Transportation (MART)
This program combines studies in the humanities and sciences with
instruction and training in maritime disciplines to provide the U.S.
Maritime Service Cadet with a broad-based education. The student who
successfully completes the license program will be qualified to sit for
the U.S. Coast Guard license examination as a Third Mate of any gross
tonnage upon oceans, steam, or motor vessels. Cadets are also provided
with solid fundamentals in business topics related to the maritime
industry, ashore and afloat. Cadets who enroll in and apply to graduate in
Marine Transportation must complete the license examination for Third Mate
in order to graduate from Texas A&M University. Certain USCG courses
require a minimum grade of C (70%). Seniors should take their licensing
examination by March of their spring semester.
Maritime Administration (MARA)
This curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate for administrative
work in marine and maritime industries and/or governmental organizations
involved in coastal, marine and maritime activities. The curriculum
provides a strong foundation in management, finance, business analysis,
accounting, and economics. This business and administrative curriculum
integrates courses that specialize in marine and maritime activities such
as port operations, brokerage and chartering, maritime law, and inland
waterways.
Maritime Studies (MAST)
Maritime Studies, the only Bachelor of Arts program offered at TAMUG,
looks at the ocean through a series of liberal arts courses. The program
provides a broad-based interdisciplinary education that focuses on various
ways of understanding the sea.
The interdisciplinary curriculum allows students to study maritime
subjects through courses such as philosophy, political science and
anthropology. Students also take an educational voyage on board the TEXAS
CLIPPER II.
The program allows students whose interests and aptitudes lie outside
science, business or technology to be trained for a wide variety of
careers pertaining to the maritime setting. The Maritime Studies
curriculum positions graduates for employment opportunities that include
jobs in coastal planning, sea-related recreation and tourism and economic
and environmental development. The program stems from the fact that the
maritime culture makes up a major part of the economic base of Texas and
the nation.
Maritime Systems Engineering (MASE)
The Maritime Systems Engineering program is a design-oriented
structural/ocean engineering program with emphasis on steel and concrete
structures, offshore and coastal structures, coastal engineering, and
hydrodynamics. The Maritime Systems program offers educational
opportunities for students whose interests and talents attract them to
engineering in the ocean and marine fields.
Maritime Systems Engineering has two integrated areas of study: Offshore
Engineering and Coastal Engineering. The offshore engineering area of
study addresses the design of marine structures; the calculation of wind
and wave forces on marine structures; hydrodynamics; design criteria for
marine structures; and ocean engineering technology. Coastal Engineering
addresses the applied engineering technologies associated with the design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of coastal structures and
facilities including breakwaters, piers, wharves, channels, and pipelines.
Coastal processes and water wave mechanics involving strong integration of
structural, geotechnical, and construction are emphasized.
The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET).
Ocean and Coastal Resources (OCRE)
Ocean and Coastal Resources (OCRE) is offered through the Department of
Oceanography, Marine Sciences Program. OCRE will educate students with
regard to the economic, environmental and social issues related to the
development of marine resources, while providing them with the scientific
background needed to understand these issues. These resources include
fisheries, oil and gas, ocean mining and others. The OCRE degree differs
considerably in content from the Marine Sciences (MARS) curriculum through
increased focus on geological and biological sciences, along with
economics, political science and law. While the present MARS program
is designed to produce well-rounded physical scientists capable of
attending graduate programs in oceanography, the OCRE curriculum is
oriented more to societal and environmental impacts of ocean science.
Many of the resource development issues in today’s world center around
environmental pollution, sustainable development, biological diversity,
fisheries and mariculture and oil and gas development. Every aspect of
marine resources development is undergoing rapid growth. From fisheries
management to ocean mining and offshore oil and gas development, the
demand for trained entry-level personnel from both government and industry
is extremely high. While these areas will continue to need practicing
scientists, there is also a strong demand for individuals who understand
and can use scientific information in the planning and management process,
but who are not themselves bench or field scientists. The OCRE degree is
designed to address this need. It is also well-suited for students who
wish to obtain certification as secondary school science teachers.
Masters of Marine Resources Management
The Master of Marine Resources Management will provide graduate students with a broad understanding of issues involving marine resources management and policy. The need for this type of multifaceted marine resources management degree has never been stronger as state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and similar groups face natural resources management challenges daily. Personnel from these organizations have identified the need for a degree, which focuses on national and international ocean resource law and policy; coastal zone management; physical and geochemical marine resources management strategies; and fisheries management. This new degree program reflects an increasing need to view marine natural resources management and policy development from both an ecological and holistic perspective. The degree is tailored toward careers with industry and agencies and may be a degree comparable to the MBA as an alternative terminal degree. In addition, the degree program will also address the needs of public school science teachers wishing to obtain a degree outside the field of education.
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