Coastal Environmental Managment (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. Potential opportunities for participation in the policy-making process are emphasized throughout the program.

The Coastal Environmental Management program is offered under the Master of Environmental Management degree. Students may emphasize subjects such as coastal zone management, water quality management, coastal sedimentary processes, fisheries management, marine conservation, or marine protected area management as part of the degree program. Each program is tailored to the interests of the student through the selection of electives and master’s project topic. Students may use electives and additional coursework to accommodate a second emphasis in one of the other program concentrations offered within the school.

For information about prerequisites, courses, degree requirements and participating faculty, click here.