The seven partner institutions of the LMRCSC provide undergraduate, graduate and community programs in marine sciences.
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Programs
LMRCSC undergraduate fellows participate fully in field and laboratory research under the supervision of faculty and graduate students. All LMRCSC undergraduate fellows have the opportunity to present results of their research at regional or national meetings to help hone their presentation skills.
Fellows attend one of the seven LMRCSC partner institutions, each of which offers B.S. degrees and operate autonomously and sets its own admissions standards. LMRCSC candidates must apply and be accepted into one of the degree programs, below. Then, they may apply for an LMRCSC fellowship.
LMRCSC training, mentoring and professional development is designed to prepare students to pursue master’s of science and doctoral degrees, which fisheries professionals are generally expected to possess.
LMRCSC Undergraduate Degree Programs
| University | Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Delaware State University | B.S. in Natural Resources |
| Hampton University | B.S. in Marine and Environmental Science |
| Oregon State University | B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science B.S. in Natural Resources B.S. in Environmental Economics, Policy and Mgmt. |
| Savannah State University | B.S. in Marine Science |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | B.S. in Environmental Science (Marine Science concentration); B.S. in Biology |
| University of Miami – RSMAS | B.S. in Marine Science; B.A. in Marine Affairs |
Professional Development
Internships: All undergraduate fellows are required to participate in summer internships at NOAA labs, non-LMRCSC institutions, and/or at LMRCSC institutions. Because of its affiliation with NOAA, LMRCSC faculty connect students to internship, scholarship and research opportunities at labs nationwide and at LMRCSC partner institutions.
More information on internships in marine science is available on our Opportunities page.
Training workshops: The Center offers students regular workshops in scientific and nonscientific topics such as teaching assistant training.
Research Cruises: Since 2005, LMRCSC has provided its students with the opportunity to gain experience in open ocean fisheries research through research cruises aboard NOAA vessels and more than 50 students have participated. Students are introduced to NOAA Fisheries Service sampling techniques, learn teamwork and study species both familiar and unknown.
Data Management Workshop: This asynchronous workshop developed by Dr. Beth Babcock, LMRCSC Program Director at UM-Rosenstiel, covers the definition of data management and how to approach it in your research, descriptions of metadata, example data management and data sharing plans, and online archives where data can be stored.
Graduate Programs
Partner Institutions
LMRCSC supports master of science and doctoral students in NOAA-mission sciences amongst its seven partner institutions. Graduate fellows receive unique educational and research training opportunities in fisheries and marine science, making them highly competitive for professional positions at NOAA and other agencies.
Each student matriculates at one of the seven LMRCSC partners, each of which offers master’s of science degrees, operate autonomously and sets its own admissions standards. LMRCSC candidates must apply and be accepted into one of the degree programs, below. Then, they may apply for an LMRCSC fellowship.
The cornerstone to the educational approach of LMRCSC is mentoring. LMRCSC fellows receive sound guidance by experienced faculty to ensure success.
All graduate fellows are required to participate in a NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) experience. More information on NERTO is available below.
LMRCSC Graduate Degree Programs
| University | Degree Program |
|---|---|
| Delaware State University | M.S. in Natural Resources Application |
| Hampton University | M.S. in Biological Sciences with concentration in Environmental Science Application |
| Oregon State University | M.S. and Ph.D in Fisheries Science, M.A., M.S., and Ph.D in Applied Economics Application |
| Savannah State University | M.S. in Marine Science Application |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | M.S. and Ph.D in Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Science; Professional Science Masters in Quantitative Fisheries/Resource Economics; M.S. and Ph.D in Toxicology; M.S. in Natural Resource Management; M.S. and Ph.D in Food and Agricultural Science Application |
| University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) | UMCES awards Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees in the Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Science (MEES) Program. Please contact Project Director Dr. Eric Schott for more information or go here. |
| University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences | M.S. and Ph.D in Marine Biology & Fisheries; M.A. in Marine Affairs; Master of Professional Science in Fisheries Biology and other areas Application |
NERTO Experience
All graduate students will be introduced to NOAA scientists working in their area who can participate in thesis or dissertation committee and with whom they can conduct research at a NOAA lab as part of their NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) experience.
Graduate Research
Research activities are conducted collaboratively across the partner institutions and students often cross-train at multiple institutions.
LMRCSC graduate fellows are expected to have NOAA scientists on their graduate committees and will often complete hands-on research at NOAA facilities during their academic programs.
Additional Opportunities
Grant writing opportunities: The LMRCSC sponsors an annual request for proposals (RFP) process, known as “TAB.”
Career assistance: LMRCSC faculty and staff assist recent and soon-to-be graduates with the often challenging process of securing employment by offering CV and cover letter development assistance, dissemination of job opportunities and through career development workshops. Students also make professional contacts through training experiences at NOAA labs and other facilities.
Training workshops: The Center offers students regular workshops on both scientific and non-scientific topics such as teaching assistant training.
Outreach: LMRCSC students at all levels have the opportunity to mentor younger students through the Center’s K-12 education and outreach programs. Discussing their own research with K-12 students and the general public reinforces knowledge, increases confidence with speaking, and improves teaching skills.
Research Cruises: Since 2005, LMRCSC has provided its students with the opportunity to gain experience in open ocean fisheries research through research cruises aboard NOAA vessels and more than 50 students have participated. Students are introduced to NOAA Fisheries Service sampling techniques, learn teamwork and study species both familiar and unknown.
Online and Distance Learning: The campuses of the LMRCSC are linked via a ‘Virtual Campus’ system consisting of traditional videoconferencing and online modalities such as Blackboard/Wimba, GoToMeeting and Adobe Connect. In addition, the LMRCSC has enacted an Articulation Agreement which allows students at one institution to enroll in courses at another, maximizing access to infrequently taught courses.
The National Marine Fisheries Service, in a 2008 report to Congress, cited nine courses deemed essential for training fisheries scientists. Six of these courses have been offered through LMRCSC with the remaining three in the planning stages. This system also allows students at all partners to access the monthly LMRCSC seminar series to stay abreast of current research both within and outside the Center.
Leveraged Programs
NSF CREST-CISCEP, Princess Anne, MD
CREST Center for the Integrated Study of Coastal Ecosystem Processes and Dynamics (CREST-CISCEP) is a National Science Foundation grant-funded program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore that aims to expose students, especially those from underrepresented groups, to the marine sciences through summer internships, paid undergraduate and graduate level assistantships, and K-12 and public outreach activities.
CREST-CISCEP provides support to undergraduate and graduate students interested in marine and estuarine science. Learn more about program offerings for undergraduate and graduate students.
There are currently no open opportunities in the CREST-CISCEP.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates, several locations
Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs are typically framed as a summer internships and provide intensive, hands on experience in research as well as instruction in presentation skills, scientific ethics and communication. The programs exist at research and educational institutions across the country. REU can help students launch their career in science, as well as prepare students for graduate school and more advanced research. REU programs are generally oriented toward rising seniors, but the REU program at UMES is targeted toward students at the freshman and sophomore levels.
The LMRCSC is proud to offer REU programs as an excellent complement to the Center’s educational programs. LMRCSC graduate students work alongside faculty and the REU students, providing guidance and mentorship and gaining valuable teaching and supervisory experience.
Three LMRCSC partner universities offer REU programs in the marine and fisheries sciences:
Geosciences Bridge Program, Princess Anne, MD
The Geosciences Bridge Program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NOAA’s Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The program is for high school seniors to introduce them to ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques; strengthen their knowledge of mathematics; teach them life skills that will prepare them for college life; and enhance their academic performances through advisement, social support, and tutorial services.
The program offers a 6-week paid internship for students planning to pursue careers in the geosciences. The program includes lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, 2 courses for college credit (math and freshman seminar), housing, meals, travel to and from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and a stipend.
Savannah State University Coast Camp, Savannah, Georgia
The Savannah State University Coast Camp is designed to teach students how to be better stewards of the marine environment using NOAA’s 7 ocean literacy principles. Students are divided into 4 classes: lower elementary (7-8 years), higher elementary (9-10 years), middle school (11-13 years), and high school (14-18 years). Each class is taught by 3-4 counselors. The LMRCSC plans for this camp to be a national model for an ocean literacy camp for youth and involves undergraduate and graduate marine science students in teaching as role models and camp counselors. To date the camp has trained approximately 400 youth and 6 in-service teachers.
SciTech Student Learning Laboratory, Baltimore, Maryland
SciTech is a collaborative program between IMET and Towson State University, housed at IMET, designed to provide teachers and students in grades 6 through 12 with a unique hands-on experience in the field of marine science and biotechnology. Lab sessions are offered on topics such as bioremediation, plankton and the ecosystem, biofilms/biodiversity, oyster and blue crab biology and zebrafish development designed by IMET faculty. SciTech also sponsors a number of workshops and internships for teachers during the summer.
