Coastal Systems

Topic Areas

Students pursuing the M.O. degree with a concentration in coastal systems may develop expertise in:

• mapping
• marine spatial planning
• oil-spill impacts and remediation
• coastal eutrophication
• planning for impacts of sea-level rise
• coastal ocean energy development
• port management

Employers

Professionals with advanced knowledge of coastal systems are commonly hired by:

• construction consultants
• shipping firms
• resource and energy developers
• port managers
• uniformed marine services
• government agencies
• environmental organizations

Example course paths

This table illustrates the courses one may take to pursue a typical specialization within Coastal Systems.

Customized Learning for Coastal Systems
Focus: Near-shore Physical Processes	Focus: Coastal Ecology	Focus: Oil Spills
Physical Oceanography	Biological Oceanography	Physical Oceanography
Geological Oceanography	Foundations of Earth System Dynamics	Chemical Oceanography
Numerical Models and Data Analysis in Ocean Sciences	Applied Coastal Ecology	Numerical Models and Data Analysis in Ocean Sciences
Geological Oceanography	Salt Marsh Ecology	Introduction To Marine Pollution
Ocean Waves and Storm Surge Modeling	Restoration Ecology	Marine Environmental Organic Chemistry
Engineering Wave Mechanics and Nearshore Processes	Coastal Zone Law	Marine Pollution Policy
Independent Study	Independent Study	Independent Study
Internship	Internship	Internship
Student Seminar	Student Seminar	Student Seminar

Studies and Coursework

Requirement

• Independent Study (results in a major paper that may include an internship)
• Seminar in Oceanography

Elective (at least two)

• Chemical Oceanography
• Geological Oceanography
• Physical Oceanography or Foundations of Earth System Dynamics
• Biological Oceanography

At least four from the following

Environment

• Foundations of Restoration Ecology
• Salt Marsh Ecology
• Applied Coastal Ecology
• Wetland Ecology
• Marine Environmental Organic Chemistry
• Introduction to Marine Pollution
• Climate, Radiation, Gases and Aerosols
  

  Geological/geotechnical

• Coastal Geologic Hazards
• Glacial Geology
• Quaternary Paleoclimates
• Marine Geotechnics
• Deep Foundations
• Experimental Geomechanics
  

  Physical Science

• Dynamics of Waves and Structures
• Ocean Waves and Storm Surge Modeling
• Engineering Wave Mechanics and Nearshore Processes
• Tides
• Ocean Renewable Energy
  

  Policy

• Coastal Zone Management
• Coastal Zone Law
• Port Planning and Policy
• Marine Pollution Policy
  

  Tools and Methods

• Remote Sensing in Natural Resources Mapping
• Concepts of GIS and Remote Sensing in Environmental Science
• Numerical Models and Data Analysis in Ocean Sciences
• Modern Oceanographic Imaging and Mapping Technique

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