The School for Marine Sciences & Technology’s (SMAST) PhD in Marine Science and Technology program emphasizes 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 faculty as well as colleagues from other most highly regarded institutions to pursue a range of leading-edge research projects. Topical areas include, but are not limited to the following:
- Biochemical cycling
- Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration
- Computational Modeling
- Fisheries Science
- Marine Renewable Energy
- Ocean Physics
View the complete list of faculty and their areas of expertise.
Highlights
- Program requires four core courses (12 credits) and an additional 24 credit hours of courses (which includes both elective and seminar courses), which help prepare the student for the written and oral candidacy examinations
- Upon completing the comprehensive exams, students are required to take a minimum of 18 credit hours toward their dissertation research
- PhD students may be accepted as part-time students
- Courses may be selected from those offered by UMass Dartmouth, other UMass campuses, and other academic institutions subject to approval by the SMAST Dean
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 at various organizations
- 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
Doug Zemeckis PhD '16 researched the spawning dynamics of the Atlantic cod during his doctoral studies at SMAST.
UMassD advantages
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.