ALUMNI CORNER
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About
The MEES Graduate Program Overview
The Marine Estuarine Environmental Sciences (MEES) is an ambitious state-wide multi-institutional graduate program of the University System of Maryland (USM) and offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The MEES program is one of the largest multi-institutional graduate programs in the country in the environmental sciences with close partnerships and proximity to several federal labs (NOAA, NASA, USDA, etc.) and state agencies such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment, along with other research centers, which enables MEES students to meet, learn from, and collaborate with some of the leading researchers in the discipline.
MEES currently has approximately 150 enrolled students and about 64% are Ph.D. students. MEES leverages over 200 faculty members from USM’s 5 degree granting institutions affording students an unparalleled opportunity to combine the expertise of the best environmental scientists in the region to guide their program of study. The M.S/Ph.D program is typically for full-time students who are enrolled in research-based degrees with a chosen discipline or speciality in one (1) of four (required) Foundations with most conducting research in their advisor’s laboratory, unit or department to which the advisor belongs.
Due to MEES interdisciplinary approach, applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds are encouraged to apply; although the program’s strength is in the marine and estuarine sciences, the program itself spans the environmental sciences as a whole, irrespective of habitat. The program accepts students with bachelor’s degrees in not just the marine & environmental sciences, but also in: biology, biotechnology, geology, ecology, chemistry, fisheries, zoology, oceanography, animal science and many other programs with a suitable emphasis on science. While the interests of students in the program are diverse, they generally center on some aspect of the interaction between biological, physical and/or chemical systems in the environment, ranging from studies of molecular mechanisms to fisheries ecology, chemical pollutants, or economic assessments of environmental impacts. Since its faculty members come from so many sources, MEES provides a unique and valuable graduate education across the broad range of the environmental sciences!
The Fall 2024 application portal is now open, or more information on admissions deadlines, please click here.
M.S.
Master's (M.S.) MEES Program Overview
Leveraging the expertise of (five) 5 partner campuses, the MEES Master's (M.S.) graduate program affords its students to collaborate with the best environmental scientists in the region. The program is particularly strong in the research areas of environmental science and policy, and biotechnology applications.
The M.S. degree is a good option if comprehensive knowledge of the environmental sciences is needed, but not such extensive training in independent research.
The requirements for the M.S. program are:
- Coursework: 30 credits of Coursework
- 4 credits of coursework; minimum of 12 credits must be at the 600 level or higher
- 6 credits of thesis research credits: MEES799
Ph.D.
Doctoral (Ph.D.) MEES Program Overview
Leveraging the expertise of (five) 5 partner campuses, the MEES Doctoral (Ph.D.) graduate program affords its students to collaborate with the best environmental scientists in the region. The program is particularly strong in the research areas of environmental science and policy, biotechnology applications.
The requirements for the Ph.D. program are:
- Coursework: 36 credits of Coursework
- 24 credits of coursework; minimum of 12 credits must be at the 600 level or higher
- 12 credits of dissertation research credits: MEES899
- Initial Advisory Committee Report
- Annual Student Progress Report (submitted every year until graduation)
- Comprehensive Exam
- Dissertation Proposal Defense
- Advancement to Candidacy
- Dissertation Defense
For a more comprehensive list of doctoral requirements, please click here.
NEWS
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Congratulations to our our current graduate students and recent alum who were among the awardees of the 2024 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program: Paulina Huanca-Valenzuela (Ph.D.) advisor: Dr. Clara Fuchsman (UMCES), Carol Kim (Ph.D) advisor: Dr. Sairah Malkin, co advisor: Dr. Clara Fuchsman (UMCES), and recent Spring 2023 alum Jessica Diaz (M.S., ‘23) who was advised by Dr. Mercedes Burns (UMBC). More…
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In a recent announcement by the College of Mathematical & Natural Sciences which houses the MEES Graduate Program, Geology Professor and MEES Faculty member Dr. Sujay Kaushal, along with a UMD research team, published a scientific review in the journal Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, which revealed that human activities are making Earth’s air, soil and freshwater saltier, which could pose an “existential threat” if current trends continue. Click here to read more.
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Dr. Colwell, a long-time MEES Faculty member, along with a team of researchers recently published a new study which details the detection of the rise of a pathogenic flesh eating bacteria (Vibrio) in Florida’s coastal waters following Hurricane Ian. More..
