Catalog 2019–2020

Marine Option Program Certificate

This is content from the Catalog 2019–2020 back issue. Please visit the current catalog for current information.

Coordinator: Lisa B. Parr
Email: lparr@hawaii.edu

Website: uhhmop.hawaii.edu

The Marine Option Program (MOP) offers a certificate for students of all majors at UH Hilo. Students in art can do a marine related piece of art or underwater photography of marine species for science or art. Or students in aquaculture can do a project with a marine emphasis, such as aquarium fish culturing to fish farming. Students of other majors such as computer science have done projects on databases related to oceanography data. MOP also oversees the sea turtle stranding program in East Hawaiʻi. The program is the only system wide certificate program offered and emphasizes intercampus involvement. MOP is currently on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and the Big Island. Students from the different campuses gather regularly for QUEST, MAST (Maritime Archaeology Symposium and field school) and the annual symposium, as well as shared resources such as Kahoʻolawe surveys, Turtle Tagging, Molokaʻi fish pond work and other projects.

Mission

The mission of the Marine Option Program is to provide a unique opportunity for undergraduates in any field of study who have an interest in the ocean. It is open to students in all fields and provides a clearinghouse for marine-oriented education and employment opportunities as well as a chance for students to network with professionals and fellow students who are involved with the ocean.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Marine Option Program strives to:

  1. Provide an opportunity for undergraduate students in any discipline to acquire a marine orientation during his/her residency at UH Hilo
  2. Add focus and relevance to the academic marine courses by aiding the students in acquiring a practical “marine skill”;
  3. Help each MOP student, through counseling, discover and implement his/her individual marine-oriented educational career goals;
  4. Provide special seminars and interdisciplinary courses designed to acquaint the undergraduate student with the many facets of marine affairs; and
  5. Provide opportunities and guidance to students who wish to contribute their talents by working toward solutions for social and environmental ocean-related problems.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Marine Option Program Certificate, students will be able to:

  1. Write a formal scientific proposal that includes a literature review, project objectives, a methodology and a section discussing proposed deliverables
  2. Give an oral presentation of the proposal
  3. Conduct a marine skills project that includes a collection of materials or data, following proposed activities, and completing of project including analyses.
  4. Develop and deliver a scientific presentation in both oral and poster format

Curriculum

Requirements (14 credits):

  1. Required Courses (5)
    • MARE 100 Marine Option Program Seminar (1)
    • MARE 104 Marine Option Program Project (2) (Repeated Once)
  2. Survey class (3)
    • MARE 140 Intro to Hawaiian Coral Reefs (3) or MARE 171 Marine Biology-Diversity (3) or MARE 201 Oceanography (3)
  3. Electives (6). Any marine-related course approved by the MOP faculty advisor.
  4. Skills project or internship. This must be approved by the MOP faculty advisor.