Training Stewards of Coastal and Marine Environments 

The world’s oceans, which cover more than 70% of Earth, and our coasts — home to roughly 40% of the global population — are critically important resources that demand sustainable management. The Coastal and Marine Systems (CAMS) concentration prepares future leaders to conserve and manage these complex environments and integral human communities. 

Our interdisciplinary training gives students a deep understanding of coastal environments and processes and their ties to human institutions, behaviors and policies. Our graduates are prepared and eager to work for federal and state governments, in the nonprofit sector and in industry, tackling issues such as climate change, ocean acidification, fisheries management, conservation of endangered and protected species, and marine spatial planning, to name a few.

Concentration Courses

Core courses - required 

To develop a strong understanding of human-linked coastal and marine systems, all CAMS students will meet the following four core requirements:

  • ENVIRON 707—Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (3 credits)  
  • ENVIRON 786/A—Marine Policy (3 credits)

Coastal and Marine Systems Concentration, Natural Science Elective

Examples include but are not limited to: 

  • ENVIRON 719/A—Aquaculture and the Environment (3 credits)
  • ENVIRON 729A—Oceans in Human and Environmental Health (3 credits)
  • ENVIRON 773A—Marine Ecology (4 credits)   
  • ENVIRON 776/A—Marine Mammals (3 credits)   
  • ECS 715—Introduction to Coastal Environmental Change Processes

Coastal and Marine Systems Concentration, Social Science and Policy Elective

Examples include but are not limited to:

  • ENVIRON 502—Climate Change and the Law (2 credits)
  • ENVIRON 506—Environmental Justice: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
  • ENVIRON 533A—Marine Fisheries Policy (3 credits)   
  • ENVIRON 775—Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy (3 credits)   
  • ENVIRON 860SA—Political Ecology (3 credits) 
  • ENVIRON 705A—Social Impact Analysis (3 credits)
  • ENVIRON 504A—Marine Protected Areas (3 credits)
  • ENVIRON 551DA—International Conservation and Development (3 credits)
  • ENVIRON 807—International Fisheries Policy 

 

ELECTIVE COURSE SUGGESTIONS

Most CAMS students spend their first year on 51±¬ÁÏ’s campus in Durham taking courses relevant to coastal and marine systems and working on fulfilling the requirements of their management concentrations. The second year is typically spent at the 51±¬ÁÏ Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina, where we offer a wide range of natural, physical and social scientific courses, including our optional signature travel courses. Please review Marine Lab courses on the Marine Lab website.

 

Expectations

Coming in: Our students bring a unique blend of experiences, excellent academic preparation and passion for the coasts and oceans. Given that most CAMS students spend their second year at the Marine Lab, it is critical that they complete their Master of Environmental Management prerequisites before arriving at 51±¬ÁÏ. The school-wide prerequisites in calculus and statistics are required for all concentrations.

During the program: Most CAMS students will spend their second year at the 51±¬ÁÏ Marine Lab, an ideal setting for the study of natural and social scientific phenomena in coastal and marine environments. At the Marine Lab, students enjoy a small class size, a low faculty-to-student ratio, an emphasis on experiential opportunities and access to world-class marine research facilities.

 

Diandre' Richie

In the CAMS program, I gained valuable insights into research, policy, community engagement, and how they all connect. My career goal is to combine data-driven solutions with stakeholder engagement to promote sustainable coastal management, and 51±¬ÁÏ has provided me with the interdisciplinary skills to do so."

–Diandre' Richie, MEM'26

Transferable Skills

In this concentration, students will gain skills in:

  • Marine policy analysis and governance
  • Interdisciplinary problem assessment and analysis
  • Working in natural and human coastal and marine systems
  • Geographic information systems/geospatial analysis*
  • Applied data analysis

*Students in our program often pair the CAMS concentration with the 51±¬ÁÏ Nicholas School of the Environment’s certificate program in Geospatial Analysis to gain additional skills in this area.

 

Knowledge Gained 

We strive to give students:

  • A practical understanding of coastal and marine ecosystems in a changing world
  • A scientifically rigorous understanding of marine and coastal environments and processes at global, national and local scales
  • A deep understanding of how human behaviors and policies interact with marine and coastal biophysical environments and processes
  • Opportunities to understand and assess the policymaking process
  • A range of skills in quantitative, qualitative and analytical methods
  • The communication and teamwork skills needed to thrive in professional work environments

 

Enrich Your Experience

Students in this concentration will find a range of opportunities to expand their academic experience and get connected to projects and people that align with their interests. We recommend exploring these programs to get started: 

  • (interdisciplinary research teams)
  • (graduate student chapter of the American Fisheries Society)
  • Geospatial Analysis Certificate Program
  • (marine topics)
  • (interdisciplinary student and faculty group)
  • (student group)

 

Career Pathways

Within the CAMS concentration, our students focus on many areas, including marine ecology, social science and policy, the management of protected species and critical habitats, marine spatial planning and coastal zone management, fisheries and aquaculture, ocean health and many others.

Our graduates find fulfilling positions in federal, state and local management and scientific agencies, intergovernmental organizations, industry, consulting firms and nonprofit organizations.

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