Coursework

Formal coursework will introduce students to interconnected aspects of estuarine and coastal processes, biotic responses, critical habitats, human impacts, and resource management issues associated with global change. Graduate seminars will emphasize critical reading of relevant primary literature. Workshops will address professional skills, scientific communication, scientific writing, data analysis, ethics and budgeting. The two required graduate electives can be taken any semester and are designed to further the working knowledge of the subject that pertains to thesis research. The most appropriate electives for you will be discussed and decided upon with your advisor. It is required that at least one of the two electives be a graduate seminar course. The Interdisciplinary Marine and Estuarine Sciences MS program requires 2-3 years of full-time study, including the summer bridge semesters in years one and two. Students conducting field-based ecological research typically require 2.5 to 3 years to complete their degree. Most, but not all, courses required for the MS degree are offered at Estuary & Ocean Science (EOS) Center on the Romberg Tiburon Campus, 3150 Paradise Drive, Tiburon, CA. Some courses may only be offered at SF State’s city campus, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA. Students should plan on taking required coursework on both campuses.