PhD or MS in Marine, Estuarine & Environmental Sciences

Woman and man look at aquarium tank. Man is taking notes in notebook. The goal of the Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences (MEES) program is to train students with career interests in some aspect of environmental science involving terrestrial, freshwater, marine, or estuarine systems and leads to both the Ph.D. and M.S. degrees. The program is University System-wide and interdisciplinary, allowing students to access facilities and faculty of the entire University System in order to plan a program best suited to their particular interests.

Areas of specialization include: ecology; environmental chemistry; environmental molecular biology and biotechnology; environmental science; fisheries science; and oceanography. Students may take courses anywhere in the University System of Maryland and may organize advisory and examining committees with faculty from one or more institutions, including the Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies.

Special Admission Requirements

MEES applicants should identify a prospective research mentor and submit their application to:

MEES Graduate Office

2113 Agriculture/Life Science Surge Building

University of Maryland

College Park, Maryland 20742

Degree Requirements

  • In addition to the pre-requisites common to all biological science graduate programs, the course work in the various MEES programs differs depending on the area of specialization. Please see the MEES Web Site.
  • Research rotations (three; Ph.D. students only)
  • One 700-level (3 credit) graduate seminar
  • Beginning with the second year, Ph.D. students are required to participate in a research seminar (journal club) every semester and to take one included in the 18 credits of 600/700 level courses
  • Two semesters as a teaching assistant (Ph.D. students only)
  • Dissertation written and defended (Ph.D. students only)
  • Original research under the direction of their faculty mentor and overseen by a committee knowledgeable in the student’s area of specialization

Apply now!