Contact
Charles Tilburg, Ph.D.
Director, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
ctilburg@une.edu
Mission
The mission of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs at the É«ÏãÊÓƵis to help our students gain an understanding of the natural world, develop critical thinking skills, and become scientifically literate. Together, we lay a foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful contributions to society and offer a baccalaureate education to students interested in all facets of the marine environment.
Our programs encompass a wide variety of disciplines that seek to understand the way the ocean functions, how it is related to earth systems science, and how humans interact with the environment. Students will learn theoretical underpinnings and applications of disciplines from biology to chemistry, geology, and physics. These disciplines are critical to life as we know it on the planet. Students will be able to apply these disciplines to solving real problems encountered in coastal and marine ecosystems and by the human communities that depend on them.
Program Description
The Marine Affairs minor is aimed at providing future student leaders a solid grounding in the vital fields of coastal and marine science, as well as resource use, marine governance systems, management, policy, ecosystems ecology, conservation, and sustainable development. This minor is suitable for students who are concerned about the marine environment, and are interested in careers in the ecosystem and human health interactions, ocean management, political decision making, and marine sustainability science and policies. The program focuses on hands-on activities, internships, and research experiences in addition to classroom work.
Curricular Requirements
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 105/105L – Bio I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab or MAR 105/105L – Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab or MAR 106/106L – Cellular/Molecular of Marine Organisms w/Lab or BIO 104 – General Biology or any four (4)-credit Lab Science Course | 4 |
| Total Credits | 8 |
| Select Four (4) from the List Below | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUEC 390 – Environmental Economics | 3 |
| BUMG 303 – Management of Non-profit Organizations | 3 |
| ENV 321 – Environmental Communications | 3 |
| MAF 200 – Introduction to Marine Pollution | 3 |
| MAF 210 – Introduction to U.S. Ocean Governance | 3 |
| MAF 300 – Climate Change, Oceans, and the Law | 3 |
| MAF 310 – Ocean and Coastal Law | 3 |
| MAR 316 – Science and Society | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 20 |
|---|
*Cannot double count with other requirements.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the É«ÏãÊÓƵfor the 2025–2026 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 30, 2025.
The É«ÏãÊÓƵreserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.