M.S. / P.S.M. in Coastal Zone Management

The Coastal Zone Management degree program will prepare the next generation of coastal managers and scientists who will provide the expertise to government, private business and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with significant investments and concerns in the coastal zone.In much of the world, population growth in the coastal zone is increasing, stressing the natural resources and those that depend on them due to over-development, pollution and overfishing. At the same time, global climate change, linked to anthropogenic activities and warming are increasingly affecting the coastal zone due to an increased prevalence of high-energy storms, ocean acidification and sea level rise. The purpose of this degree program is to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of managing human interactions within a highly dynamic coastal environment.At the end of this program, students will be able to:Describe the physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes active in the coastal zone.Articulate aspects of coastal zone environments that affect humans.Articulate human behaviors, laws, and policies that affect coastal zone environments.Apply appropriate quantitative methods to coastal zone problems.Perform a variety of field and laboratory research methods.Identify a problem pertinent to coastal zone management, develop a plan to study it,and conduct the appropriate research.Effectively communicate scientific and management information, research results, and recommendations orally and in writing.Work effectively both individually and in a team environment.