The mission of the Masters of Science program in Applied Marine & Watershed Science is to build a community of professionals who can employ sound science, technology and economics to inform environmental policies affecting the natural or managed systems of the coastal zone, extending from watersheds to the continental slope.
CSUMB is the only CSU campus offering the Applied Marine & Watershed Science degree. There are two degree options: the M.S. with thesis option and the M.S. with a professional internship option; the latter option is called the Professional Science Master's (PSM). The plans of study for both options are similar with the notable exception that instead of writing a thesis, PSM students will engage in a professional internship experience.
Advancement to Candidacy for Degree
- Demonstration of written English proficiency (assessed in writing assignments of Grad Seminar I)
- Removal of any Conditional Admission contingencies
- For thesis option, approval of thesis advisor (tenured and tenure-track faculty from SEP)
- For thesis option, formation of thesis committee - Three committee members composed of the thesis advisor, one additional tenured or tenure-track faculty member of SEP, and one expert in the student's research area (may include non-tenure track SEP faculty or external expert)
- Successful completion of Grad Seminar I & II
- For thesis option, approval of thesis proposal by thesis committee
- For PSM option, approval of internship proposal
- Approval of Individual Learning Plan that fulfills Major Learning Outcomes (ILP must be approved by thesis advisor and AMWS Graduate Committee.)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 after 14 graduate semester units, with no graduate degree course lower than B-
- Meeting of above conditions for candidacy before the passage of four semesters from admission, except in rare cases with consent of AMWS Graduate Committee
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science degree (thesis option) will be conferred after you have successfully completed all of the following, within seven years of your admission to the Applied Marine & Watershed Science Program, including time during approved leave.
- Advance to candidacy at least one semester prior to graduation.
- Complete approved Individual Learning Plan coursework.
- Defend thesis orally before thesis committee and invited public.
- Prepare thesis that is approved by your thesis committee. The thesis must conform to the rules and standards set forth by AMWS and CSUMB, including submittal of one bound copy for the CSUMB library, one bound copy for SEP and one PDF format digital copy for SEP.
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA in courses required for degree, with no graduate degree course lower than B-.
- Apply for graduation in accordance with CSUMB policy.
The Professional Science Masters Degree will be conferred after you have completed all of the following, within seven years of your admission to the Applied Marine & Watershed Science Program, including time during approved leave.
- Advance to candidacy at least one semester prior to graduation.
- Complete approved Individual Learning Plan coursework.
- Complete and document your internship based upon the rules and standards set forth by AMWS and CSUMB.
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA in courses required for degree, with no graduate degree course lower than B-
- Apply for graduation in accordance with CSUMB policy.
CSUMB matriculation requirements and policies
Sponsored By
College of Science, Media Arts and Technology > Division of Science and Environmental Policy
Included Academic Fields
Coastal Zone Management ~ Marine Science ~ Environmental and Resource Economics ~ Environmental Policy ~ Marine Policy ~ Environmental Science ~ Watershed Management
Associated Course Codes
BIO ~ ENVS ~ GEOL ~ MLML