Beginning in your 2/c (junior) year, and continuing through the first semester of your 1/c (senior) year, MES majors specialize in two of the following three Major Area Electives. Each area consists of a three-course sequence and hands-on laboratory experiences.

Biological-Environmental Science
In this area, cadets explore the:

• relationship of organisms and their environment
• human impact on ecological systems
• biology and management of marine fisheries

The three courses in this specialization are:

• Biological and Chemical Oceanography
• Fisheries Biology
• Marne Pollution

Chemical-Environmental Science
In this area, cadets are given:

• an introduction to physical, analytical and organic chemistry
• an application of chemical principles to environmental problems
• a foundation for marine safety and other USCG missions

The three courses in this specialization are:

• Analytical Methods
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Physical Oceanography
In this area, cadets examine:

• open-ocean, wind-driven and thermohaline circulation
• estuarine dynamics
• coastal processes

The three courses in this specialization are:

• Coastal Oceanography
• Ocean Circulation
• Ocean Dynamics