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Welcome to the Coast

Located near estuaries, marshes, swamps, a large unregulated river, barrier islands, and the ocean, Coastal Carolina University offers an exceptional opportunity for graduate education. Students in the Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies degree program pursue projects contributing to the characterization and preservation of the coastal ecosystem and the organisms that thrive in this ecosystem. Research conducted by graduate students and their faculty mentors is typically presented to the public via seminars, conferences or publications. Research support is provided by the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the US Geological Survey, The Nature Conservancy, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Sea Grant and other entities.

Students completing this program pursue further graduate study, take jobs as teachers or informal educators, or go to work for state agencies and private consulting firms.

Most of the students entering this program have undergraduate degrees in biology, environmental science, or geology. However, a B.S. degree is not necessarily a requirement for admission. It is important, however, that students have adequate background courses in mathematics and science. The coursework involves three core classes stressing coastal physical processes, ecology, and environmental policy. Various electives provide students with skills in conservation biology, geographic information systems, statistics, wetland delineation, geophysical surveying as well as theoretical background in specific areas of organism biology and ecology.

For more information, contact the Coordinator:

Dr. James O Luken
Phone: 843-349-2235
E-mail: joluken@coastal.edu