4+1 Degree Programs

School of Marine Science & Policy

Student working on beach installing living shoreline

Students operating a boat on Delaware Bay

Student in lab examining microorganisms from ocean sample

Dr. Cohen and student in lab examining equipment

The School of Marine Science and Policy offers two 4+1 degree programs that combine experiential learning, field courses and hands-on research experiences to offer unique individualized experiences that prepare students to be leaders in the environmental job market or continue onto further graduate studies.

With low student-to-faculty ratios and small graduate course sizes, these programs allow students to build strong networking relationships and work alongside internationally recognized faculty at UD’s main campus in Newark and seaside campus in Lewes.

Research projects may focus on analytical laboratory work or field work and may range in topics from marine organisms to ecosystem dynamics to estuarine biogeochemistry and more.

Designed for current UD undergraduates pursuing a B.S. in Marine Science, these 4+1 programs allow students to earn a graduate degree in as little as one additional year of study.

Marine Biosciences 4+1
Oceanography 4+1

The School of Marine Science & Policy offers an interdisciplinary 4+1 MS program with a Concentration in Marine Biosciences. The degree focuses on marine organisms, with core competencies that include marine adaptations of organisms; molecular, cellular and organismal physiology; and ecological processes in estuarine and marine ecosystems. Students may have the opportunity to choose additional classes that focus on microorganisms, invertebrates, fish, coral, ecosystem dynamics and marine pollution. Interdisciplinary study is a focus of the program, with students graduating proficient in both biology and another core discipline of marine policy or chemistry, geology, or physical oceanography.

This program is designed for current UD undergraduate students enrolled in the BS in Marine Science degree program. For junior and rising senior students who want to pursue an MS degree in Marine Science with a Concentration in Marine Biosciences, our 4+1 program allows you to achieve that goal with only one additional year of work at UD.

Qualified applicants

Qualified UD undergraduate students currently enrolled in the BS in Marine Science degree program may apply for admission to the 4+1 program after completing 75 credits of undergraduate course work (usually at the end of junior year), and having identified a faculty advisor to supervise their graduate study. Students accepted to the 4+1 program may begin work toward an MS in Marine Studies with a Concentration in Marine Biosciences during senior year and complete the MS degree in as little as one additional year.

How to apply

Applications are first submitted to the Undergraduate Program Director for review of undergraduate course requirements. The application then will be considered by the Graduate Program Director for final approval. There is no application fee to apply to the 4+1 program.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Letters of recommendation, of which one is from a UD Marine Science faculty member who will serve as the student's graduate advisor;

2. A personal statement laying out professional goals and reasons for applying;

3. A resume or curriculum vitae showing prior work experience, publications, honors, awards and a summary of educational credentials;

4. Completion of the University of Delaware Abbreviated 4+1 Application before the end of the fall semester of senior year.

For more information on the 4+1 degree requirements for Marine Biosciences, visit the UD Course Catalog.

The School of Marine Science & Policy offers an interdisciplinary 4+1 MS program with a Concentration in Oceanography. This program focuses on understanding marine and environmental processes in the interest of solving environmental and societal problems. This research-oriented degree is designed to train students in physical, geological, biological and chemical problems in estuarine, coastal and marine environments, with an emphasis on quantitative approaches. Students graduating from this program are prepared to conduct research in oceanography and use advanced quantitative analyses, data handling, model estimation and interpretation to communicate analytical results to decision makers.

This program is designed for current UD undergraduate students enrolled in the BS in Marine Science degree program. For junior and rising senior students who want to pursue an MS degree in Marine Science with a Concentration in Oceanography, our 4+1 program allows you to achieve that goal with only one additional year of work at UD.

Qualified applicants

Qualified UD undergraduate students currently enrolled in the BS in Marine Science degree program may apply for admission to the 4+1 program after completing 75 credits of undergraduate course work (usually at the end of junior year), and having identified a faculty advisor to supervise their graduate study. Students accepted to the 4+1 program may begin work toward an MS in Marine Studies with a Concentration in Oceanography during senior year and complete the MS degree in as little as one additional year.