Quantitative Fisheries Science Concentration, P.S.M.

Quantitative Fisheries and Resource Economics, P.S.M.

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Objective of the Program

Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree programs provide an alternate professional career path for bachelor’s degree holders in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to help meet staff needs of industries, consulting firms and governmental agencies, and have been endorsed by the National Research Council (NRC 2008). The PSM program provides students with quantitative, communication and leadership skills and the knowledge required to obtain careers in natural resources, with a focus on fisheries management and conservation.

Admission Requirements

The general admission requirements of the PSM degree program will be similar to those of other M.S. or Ph.D. programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) disciplines at UMES. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in any of these disciplines with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale.

Application materials can be obtained online at www.umes.edu/grad or, by calling 410‐651‐6507/8626/7966.

Applicants must complete:

1. Application Forms.
2. Certification of Finance Form (for international applicants only).
3. Evaluation/Recommendation.
4. Maryland Residency Status, and the Statement of Purpose Form.

Completed forms and a non‐refundable application fee of US$45.00 must be submitted to the UMES Graduate School. Domestic students must have their official transcripts sent directly by the issuing institution to the Graduate School. International students must visit www.wes.org and request an evaluation of their official transcript to be sent to the Graduate School.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester ‐ April 15
Spring Semester ‐ October 30
Summer Sessions ‐ April 15

Program Degree Requirements

The program provides the student with the knowledge and skills (quantitative, communication, leadership) needed to:

1. Conduct assessments of living marine resources;
2. Evaluate the impacts of alternative management actions, anthropogenic activities, and climate variability and change on yield, as well as the consequent socio‐economic effects on fishermen.

The degree program requires completion of 37 credit hours for the Quantitative Fisheries Area of Concentration or 38 credit hours for the Resource Economics Area of Concentration. This includes a non‐thesis research project to be completed as part of an internship. Of the 37/38 credit hours, 3 credits will be for a non‐thesis research project, a component of the 3‐month internship requirement. In addition, 3 credits will be for a Business Ethics course and 3 credits for a Personnel Development and Evaluation course. These will be used to fulfill the business management and leadership training requirements of the program. The professional communications skills (effective oral presentation and scientific writing) component of the program will be acquired through a 3‐credit graduate Scientific Communications course. Students will also submit reports of work done in partial fulfillment of science courses and the internship requirement. They will make oral presentations of their internship duties to faculty and students at the end of the internship experience.

A program of study will be developed by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Chairman of the Department of Natural Sciences. This may include prerequisites and required core courses. Although graduate courses taken elsewhere may serve to fulfill requirements, only six credits of such courses may be transferred. Transferable credit hours must be approved by the Chairman of the Department of Natural Sciences. Courses used to satisfy requirements for a previously awarded degree may not be used for credits.

Non‐Thesis Option

A non‐thesis research project is completed as part of an internship.

Impact on Students’ Technological Fluency

Students in the Program will be required to be competent in scientific computer applications such as Excel to process scientific data, SigmaPlot to produce graphs, Microsoft PowerPoint for the development of quality presentations, Microsoft Publisher to create poster presentations, and Microsoft Word in the preparation of manuscripts. Students must also be proficient in performing literature searches online using various databases.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

1. To provide students with excellent theoretical knowledge and technical background in quantitative fisheries and resource economics.
2. To enhance the communications skills (oral and written) of the students.
3. To provide student leadership, project management and organizational skills.
4. To foster through internships and other projects the development of collaborative and teamwork skills.
5. To enhance student’s knowledge of professional ethics.

Quality of Program and Support Faculty

All graduate faculty members possess a terminal degree in an area of fisheries and/or resource or agricultural economics, and supporting areas. (*Affiliate faculty from NOAA or University of Miami‐RSMAS)

For further information please contact:

Paulinus Chigbu, Ph.D.
PSM Program Director
Phone: 410‐651‐3034
Email:pchigbu@umes.edu

Course Requirements

Quantitative Fisheries Science Concentration Required Courses

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Total 18 Credit Hours (*New courses)

Students should consult with advisor for courses that can be taken at partnering institutions (i.e.,UM-RSMAS).

• MEES 631 Fish Ecology Credit: 3
• MEES 640 Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics Credit: 3 *
• MEES 641 Fisheries Survey Sampling Credit: 3 *
• MEES 644 Multivariate Statistics Credit: 3 *
• MEES 648 Ecosystem modeling for fisheries Credit: 3 *