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Description of Program
The School for Marine Sciences & Technology’s (SMAST) PhD in Marine Science and Technology program emphasizes fundamental and societal need-driven research and learning in an interdisciplinary environment. The PhD program focuses on observations, modeling, experimentation, and theory in the areas of ocean sciences, ocean technology, and marine policy.
Students work independently as well as collaboratively with our renowned faculty and their colleagues at the most highly regarded oceanographic institutions and may pursue a range of leading-edge research projects in areas that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Biogeochemical cycling
- Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration
- Computational Modeling
- Fisheries Science
- Marine Renewable Energy
- Ocean Physics
- Ecosystem Based Management
Learning Outcomes
- Comprehensive understanding in the broad area of marine science and technology, including physical, biological, chemical and/or geological processes and functions of the ocean and coastal waters
- Comprehensive understanding in the broad areas of ocean policy, management, and/or conservation, including social-economic, policy, and shared use of common property of the ocean and coastal waters
- Advanced understanding and specialized knowledge in the area of student’s field of research
- The ability to identify research topics, formulate hypothesis, develop research methodology, perform research and analyze results
- The ability to communicate results in writing consistent with standards for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings
- The ability to present and defend their research orally for an audience of informed professionals, and/or to the public
Requirements
The PhD program requires a minimum of 54 credit hours. Students are required to take three core oceanography courses, one core policy course, and choose additional courses appropriate to a selected option area. PhD students normally take the four required core courses in their first year. Work in the option area usually includes at least an additional 24 credit hours of courses, which help the student prepare for the written and oral parts of a general examination. Attendance at a weekly departmental seminar series is required during all semesters for PhD students, for which students receive 1 credit for each of the first two semesters, but no credit for subsequent semesters. Each PhD student typically presents at least one seminar or public presentation each year after the first year of study.
Additional information on the PhD program can be found on the SMAST website.
Core Course Requirements
PhD students must complete three oceanography core courses in biological, chemical, and physical oceanography. A course in marine policy and/or management areas (including law and economics) and a course covering technology or quantitative skills are also required. The core courses (listed on the IMS website at https://www.umassd.edu/ims/current-students/core-courses/) are intended to provide a common grounding in the biological, chemical, and physical oceanographic areas of marine sciences and technology, and in related marine policy and management disciplines. Courses covering technology and quantitative skills are generally subject to student choice and guidance committee approval, though there may be requirements specific to each option area. At least two core courses are offered each semester. Students normally complete the core courses in the first two semesters.
Successful performance in the core courses is required for advancement to degree status. A grade of B- or better in each core course and an overall GPA average of 3.0 (B) in the core courses are required. There is a retake option on a course for which the student receives a grade of B- or less.
Option Areas and Electives
Each PhD student selects one of several option areas. Each option area includes several marine policy or management core courses and electives appropriate to that area. The student takes a subset of those courses as approved by their faculty advisor and/or dissertation committee. Descriptions of the option areas may be found on the website at https://www.umassd.edu/ims/prospective-students/option-areas-of-study/.
Students typically take most of their elective courses at UMass Dartmouth and specifically at SMAST. Some elective courses, however, may be taught via distance learning. In addition, students may choose to take courses at a different UMass campus for a period of time during their course of study in order to access certain topics or to take advantage of research opportunities.
Sequence of Courses by Semester
In the first two semesters, PhD students normally complete the four required core courses, the seminar requirement, and an elective or two. Additional elective/option area coursework usually includes at least an additional 24 credit hours of courses, which help the student prepare for the written and oral parts of a general examination.
PhD Candidacy Examinations and Dissertation
No later than the sixth semester, the student’s committee administers the written and oral candidacy examinations. The candidacy examinations are comprehensive and cover the core areas and the student’s area of concentration. They are designed to test the intellectual competence and maturity of the student in the broad area of marine sciences and technology and in the selected area of concentration.
A scholarly dissertation based on original research is required of all PhD candidates. Dissertation research may be done in the laboratory or the field, or may be carried out in part during residence with an appropriate private business or government agency. Presentation and defense of a satisfactory dissertation, normally to be completed within five years from the date of advancement to candidacy, fulfill the degree requirements. The dissertation defense consists of a public lecture on the dissertation and a subsequent oral examination by the candidate’s dissertation committee.
Students must register for dissertation research each semester after completing formal coursework, until they complete their degree.
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