Education

Overview

USF College of Marine Science Students

The USF College of Marine Science (CMS) is one of the top 10 marine science programs in the country (Academic Analytics). Our program is led by faculty with expertise in all aspects of oceanography, offering students a strong interdisciplinary education鈥揷ritical to a successful career in marine science.

We offer and degrees in Marine Science, with concentrations in Biological Oceanography, Physical Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Geological Oceanography, and Marine Resource Assessment.  In addition, we offer an Interdisciplinary option that allows students to develop expertise in marine science along with a subject offered in another USF-based college, such as engineering.

Here are a few distinguishing features of our program:

  • Our $20 million endowment supports more than 26 student fellowships at roughly $10-25k/year. Most students receive some kind of financial support from fellowships, grant funding as a research assistant, or college funding as a teaching assistant.
  • We appoint ~50 Graduate Assistants every year.
  • More than 85% of CMS students find employment in their field of training. CMS graduates hold positions in academia, industry, government agencies, and non鈥恎overnmental organizations at local to international levels.
  • Our faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting the needs of our students, who enjoy a culture of community and support. We have a 4:1 student to faculty ratio (25 faculty, 100 students).
  • We usually have about 35 M.S. students and 65 Ph.D. students.
  • Our student body publishes nearly 45 publications every year and typically brings in over $200,000 in research support through competitive proposals to federal, state, and other national and local organizations.
  • The USFCMS provides robust training and professional development opportunities in science communication, teaching, and outreach.
  • Our highly productive, award-winning faculty includes members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Inventors, American Geophysical Union, and more.
  • We offer students several 鈥渁dd-on鈥� educational opportunities including graduate certificate programs in Marine Science Education, Port Sustainability / Coastal Sustainability (coming soon).

As of Fall 2022:

  • 62% Doctoral
  • 38% Master鈥檚
  • 69% Female
  • 31% Male
  • 15% International
  • 18% Underrepresented Minorities (self-identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian or Alaska Native)