Coastal Environmental Management Program (CEM)
The Coastal Environmental Management program provides a scientifically rigorous understanding of global, national and local physical and biological coastal environments and processes and the human behaviors and policies that affect, and are affected by, those environments and processes. The specific aim of the program is to train scientifically informed professionals to fill coastal policy and management, research, or advocacy positions in federal and state agencies, industry, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations. The program also provides a firm foundation for future Ph.D. studies.
The first year of the program is typically spent on the Durham campus fulfilling the required courses in areas such as natural resource economics, general environmental policy, ecology, and methodological skills. The second year is typically spent in residence at the Marine Laboratory in Beaufort taking courses in both the natural and the social and policy sciences specific to the coastal and marine environment, and focusing on the production of the master's project. The Marine Laboratory provides an ideal setting for the study of natural and social scientific phenomena in the coastal and marine environment, and for interaction with coastal and marine constituencies and policy makers in the application of science to policy. Potentials for participation in the policy-making process are emphasized throughout the program.
The Coastal Environmental Management program is offered under the Master of Environment Degree. Students may emphasize subjects such as coastal zone management, water quality management, coastal sedimentary processes or fisheries management as part of the degree program. Each program is tailored to the interest of the student through the selection of electives and master's project topic. Students may use electives and additional course work to accommodate a second emphasis in one of the other program concentrations offered within the school.
Click here to access the Nicholas School Alumni Database to search for CEM graduates.
For specific CEM course requirements, visit the Academic Programs section of the Nicholas School Web site >