The School for Marine Sciences & Technology’s (SMAST) MS in Marine Science and Technology program emphasizes societal need-driven research and learning in an interdisciplinary environment. The MS 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 some of 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:
- Biochemical cycling
- Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration
- Computational Modeling
- Fisheries Science
- Marine Renewable Energy
- Ocean Physics
For a complete list of faculty and their areas of expertise, visit the faculty page.
Highlights
- Options for thesis or non-thesis program of study
- Thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and the non-thesis option requires 33 credit hours
- Full-time MS students normally complete their degree requirements in four semesters
- Part-time MS students are encouraged to take at least two courses per semester
At a glance
SMAST student achievements
- Fulbright Fellowships
- Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships
- NOAA Sea Grant Fellowship in Population Dynamics
- Nancy Sayles Day Foundation Research Award
Awards for presentations
- International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
- American Meteorological Society
- National Shellfisheries Association
- International Pectinid Workshop
- American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists
- American Fisheries Society
Funding
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has several financial programs to assist graduate students with the cost of advanced studies. These programs apply to degree-seeking, matriculated students only.
Applicants should take an active role in contacting faculty member(s) who could potentially advise them, as well as make an effort to seek funding before applying.
Student placement
SMAST alums succeed at becoming involved in research, teaching, and project management in academia, private industry, and governmental agencies.
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Student success
UMassD alumna Dahlia Medieros talks about her new career at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Waterway Protection Program to help address Commonwealth's statewide concerns
A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.
International (F-1) students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). To learn about the eligibility criteria and detailed steps to apply, please review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and USCIS resources. F-1 students must consult with the ISSC to apply for STEM OPT.
Changes to Graduate Studies admission requirements
In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, admission requirements for graduate degree and certificate programs may have changed.
Learn more about changes to requirements
Successful applicants will have met the following criteria:
- Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Completion of an undergraduate major in one of the basic scientific disciplines or engineering, or strong multidisciplinary training
- Completion of at least six semesters of coursework in the natural sciences, generally to include biology, chemistry, and/or physics
- Preparation in mathematics at least through integral calculus is strongly encouraged