Master of Arts in Marine Conservation and Policy

Scientists from the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University (SBU), who also are members of the university's faculty, are teaching the first course offered through the new graduate programme, M.A. in Marine Conservation and Policy. SBU's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) launched the new programme at the start of the 2010 fall semester. It is the first programme of its kind in New York State and one of only a few such programmes in the country.

Dr. Ellen K. Pikitch, executive director, and Dr. Demian Chapman, assistant director for science, of the Institute were selected to develop and teach the programme's first required course, Marine Conservation, which provides an overview of fundamental concepts of ocean conservation science. The course includes lectures on current threats to marine conservation, fisheries management, marine protected areas, conservation genetics, assisted reproduction, and other related subjects.

This one-year M.A. programme balances coursework in marine science, marine conservation biology, and quantitative analysis with classes in marine management, economics, policy, or law. And, through a collaboration with the SBU School of Journalism's Center for Communicating Science, the program also aims to equip students with skills that will help them communicate more effectively with the public, public officials, and the media.

Stony Brook University is accepting applications for enrollment in the Graduate Programme in Marine Conservation and Policy program for the fall 2011 semester.