Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Science

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program (PhD)

Four to six years of graduate study, which will include original research and practical experience as a Teaching Assistant, are required to complete the Ph.D. in Marine Science. The Doctoral program should contain no fewer than 21 hours of acceptable graduate work in marine science and no less than 6 hours in supporting areas, in addition to dissertation and supervised teaching. Of this minimal requirement of 21 hours, 12 hours of core courses must be completed. Core courses are listed in the Graduate Catalog. Supporting work from outside the major program (area of specialty) may include courses taken at another institution. To be eligible for admission to candidacy, all doctoral students must complete their core courses and pass a qualifying examination in their area of specialization. This examination will also confirm that students are competent in the other three subdisciplines. Candidacy requirements are normally completed by the end of the second year. All doctoral candidates write a dissertation based on the results of their original research, and make a formal oral defense of the document to complete the degree requirements.

AREA OF SPECIALTY

Each graduate student will normally select one of the subdisciplines as an area of specialization. Based on the present faculty potential, marine biology and marine chemistry would be the Department's strongest areas of specialization for students. As an example, a doctoral student might base the majority of his/her course work and dissertation topic in marine biology. The dissertation research would frequently integrate one or more of the other subdisciplines studied. Students opting for a major thrust in marine chemistry would follow a similar program with chemistry forming the major part of their curriculum. Similarly, masters students would specialize in one subdiscipline.

General Information for Graduate Students

Graduate study in the Department of Marine Science requires course work at Austin and Port Aransas and a research project in Port Aransas. The exact program will be determined by the student's interest, the research field of his supervisor and the required courses. At present, faculty are conducting research on basic and applied aspects of the following marine science subdisciplines:  marine ecosystem dynamics, marine biogeochemistry, and adaptations to the marine environment. Marine science is the study of the marine environment including marine organisms, processes, and systems so each student's program will involve direct contact with the sea, its plants and animals and/or the physical and chemical forces which drive it.

Facilities for graduate work in marine science are based in Austin and at the shore-side laboratory of the Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas. The Institute is located on the Aransas Pass ship channel among the dunes at the tip of Mustang Island, with easy access to bays, beaches, and the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental systems nearby include the hypersaline Laguna Madre, seagrass meadows, fresh and salt water marshes, and the continental shelf. The Port Aransas facility offers research vessels, a specialized library, classrooms, laboratories, and flowing seawater system.

Course work taken in Austin often includes supporting work in other natural science departments. At least one semester is normally spent on the main campus. Students then reside in Port Aransas while they undertake thesis or dissertation research at the Marine Science Institute. These students also take additional courses there, including the majority of their core courses, other organized courses, seminars, and training cruises. Graduate student apartments are available at the Institute.