College of Science & Engineering
Highly interdisciplinary, the Coastal and Marine System Science graduate program is designed to serve graduate students with diverse backgrounds in the natural and computational sciences. Ideal candidates will have backgrounds in some combination of biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, oceanography, engineering, and geographic information science. If you want a degree that will allow you to make a difference, consider being part of this unique program in Coastal and Marine Systems Science.
The CMSS program offers both the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.
Coastal and Marine System Science studies the interactions within the coastal and marine environment, which includes most of the critical physical and biological systems that support life on Earth. The mission of the Coastal and Marine System Science program is to support interdisciplinary research and scholarship on the biotic and abiotic components of this zone, as well as quantitative investigation of socio-economic and political processes. The program addresses this mission by integrating the tools of Earth System Science: biogeochemistry, geographic information science, ecosystem dynamics, and quantitative modeling. Students who earn PhD degrees in the sciences are typically employed in teaching or research positions in universities, or in pure research applications at specialized institutions or governmental agencies.
No Student Experiences for this program yet
This 10.5-month residency allows you to earn your Master’s degree, make a difference teaching at the McCall Outdoor Science School, and find your place in our alumni network. Scholarships available.
Study ecosystem management online at Penn State. Gain in-demand skills in quantitative and spatial data analysis, project management, and leadership. Apply now for 2025!
Earn a GIS Certificate in about 12 months. Equip yourself with the analytical approaches and technical GIS skills to tackle environmental challenges. Ideal for advanced users and novices.