Coastal & Marine Sciences

Offering an interdisciplinary marine-related curriculum to undergraduate students enrolled in the five campuses.

The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Program offers an interdisciplinary marine-related curriculum to undergraduate students enrolled in a Five College campus. The Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate is available to students at all five campuses. Through active affiliations with some of the nation's premier centers for marine study (field trips, internships, and study-away programs), students engage in hands-on research to complement course work. Many students who participate in the program go on to advanced study or professional work in various areas of marine science. Five College faculty from both natural and social sciences teach courses in the program. The disciplines represented include animal behavior, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, engineering, geology, natural resource management, and zoology in the natural sciences, and government, public policy and economics in the social sciences.

On This Page

Coastal & Marine Sciences Certificate

The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate enables students from the five campuses to select from a wide variety of marine-science-related courses, including coastal and marine ecology/geology, resource management and public policy, oceanography and coastal engineering to create a cohesive concentration. The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate is now available to students on all five campuses.

The FCCMS certificate work includes three components:
1) Course work (6 courses)
2) Field and lab work (80 hour minimum)
3) Independent research project/poster

Under the guidance of faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a progressive series of courses available within the five campuses and in approved academic off-campus programs (Sea Education Association, School for Field Studies, Williams-Mystic, Duke University Marine Lab, Shoals Marine Lab, and others). Students are required to gain proficiency in field/lab work through intensive field courses or internships. Finally, students participate in a “capstone” independent, marine-related research project that will count toward the certificate. Students interested in earning the certificate should begin by setting up an introductory meeting with an affiliated faculty member on their campus (see People). Once students have begun the introductory course of study, they will be appointed a faculty advisor affiliated with Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences who will assist with course selection, research projects and field/lab requirements to ensure a strong concentration in marine sciences.

We recommend that prospective students do these things:

  1. Explore the FCCMS website. It lays out the certificate requirements. 
  2. Watch this FCCMS recorded info session
  3. Subscribe by using this link to request to join the FCCMS Google Group. This group serves as a space for discussions and information sharing on all things related to marine and coastal sciences. 
  4. After checking out these resources, you can begin the certificate program now by enrolling in classes that fulfill the certificate requirements. Then you should keep an eye out for the Google Form Check in that we will distribute via the Google Group to share with us your intent to complete the certificate.
  5. We are currently matching internships/projects with students. Thank you for your patience!
  6. Questions? FCCMS Director Brian Cheng has office hours (UMass, Holdsworth Hall 118, Tues 1-2p, Weds 3-4p, email me if you want to meet during these slots on Zoom).  You can also email FCCMS Coordinator Daniel Lavigne (dlavigne@fivecolleges.edu). 

FCCMS Certificate Course Approval

Students seeking to apply courses toward the Five College Coastal & Marine Sciences (FCCMS) Certificate must submit a course description and syllabus for review. Final approval is determined by the FCCMS Steering Committee. This process applies to:

  • Courses taken through study abroad or academic off-campus programs
  • Transfer credits from other institutions
  • Five College courses not listed on the official FCCMS course list

FCCMS Certificate Course Approval Form

FCCMS Document Submission

Use this form to securely submit any documents related to the Five College Coastal & Marine Sciences (FCCMS) Certificate: FCCMS Document Submission Portal

Student presenting at Five College symposium.
people at controls of ship

People

The program office is located at Five Colleges, Inc., 97 Spring Street in Amherst. Students interested in learning more about the Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate or internship program should schedule a meeting with an affiliated faculty member on their home campus (see contact info below). Students affiliated with the program receive information on campus lectures, films and events as well as information on internships and research opportunities in the field.

The FCCMS Program is guided by a steering committee with members from each of the five campuses. Steering committee members also serve as faculty advisors to certificate students.

Steering Committee & Faculty Advisors

Alexandra Purdy, Associate Professor of Biology
David Jones, Professor of Geology
Ethan Clotfelter, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies

Laela Sayigh, Professor of Animal Behavior

Jason Andras, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Renae Brodie, Professor of Biological Sciences
Al Werner, Professor of Geology

Bosiljka Glumac, Professor of Geosciences
Paulette Peckol, Louise C. Harrington Professor of Biological Sciences

Brian Cheng, Assistant Professor of Environmental Conservation, Director of Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Program
Andy Danylchuk, Professor of Marine Science
Adrian Jordaan, Associate Professor of Fish Population Ecology and Conservation
Lisa Komoroske, Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences
R. Mark Leckie, Professor of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences
Akiko Okusu, Senior Lecturer of Biology
Steve Petsch, Associate Professor of Geosciences
Jonathan Woodruff, Professor of Geosciences

Five Colleges, Incorporated (Steering Committee only)
Ray Rennard, Director of Academic Programs

Courses

A minimum of six courses in three categories is required for the certificate. Check the complete, categorized course list to see which courses are approved for the certificate. This master list may include courses not currently offered. Some courses may have stipulations (like "with marine project only"), or may require prerequisites.

Note: You do not need to be working towards the certificate to take any of these marine-related courses.

Faculty: Please contact marinesci@fivecolleges.edu if you would like to suggest an addition to the FCCMS list. Include the course number, title, semester(s) offered, and its relevance to marine science.

Other courses in addition to those listed here may be eligible for fulfilling the requirements of the Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate. Students are encouraged to consult a Coastal and Marine Sciences Program campus advisor to identify courses that are appropriate for their interests.

Note that if you don't see classes from all campuses currently listed, they will appear as the campuses release their course schedules for the semester. The five campuses release their schedules on different dates. Visit this page for specific dates.

Fall 2025 CMS Courses: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, POLICY, and SCIENTIFIC SKILLS

Subject Course # Sect # Course Title Instructor(s) Institution Meeting Times
ENST 430 01 Fisheries Ethan Temeles Amherst College W | 1:05 PM - 4:05 PM
NS 0157 1 Water in the Built Environment Christina Cianfrani Hampshire College 01:00PM-02:20PM M;01:00PM-02:20PM W
NS 0357 1 Water in the Built Environment Christina Cianfrani Hampshire College 01:00PM-02:20PM M;01:00PM-02:20PM W
ENVST 210 01 Political Ecology Kevin Surprise Mount Holyoke College TTH 10:30AM-11:45AM
POLIT 247 01 International Law and Org. Andy Reiter Mount Holyoke College MW 10:00AM-11:15AM
ENV 201 01 Researching Enviromentl Probs Camille Washington-Ottombre Smith College M W 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
ENV 202 01 Researching Enviro Probs Lab Camille Washington-Ottombre Smith College TU 1:20 PM - 4:00 PM
BIOLOGY 422 01 Field Ecology: Exp Approach Lynn Adler UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
BIOLOGY 422 01LL Field Ecology: Exp Approach UMass Amherst TU 2:30PM 5:30PM
BIOLOGY 422 01LM Field Ecology: Exp Approach UMass Amherst TH 2:30PM 5:30PM
ECON 308 01 Political Economy of the Envir Adrina Ibnat Jamilee Adiba UMass Amherst TU TH 4:00PM 5:15PM
GEOGRAPH 426 01 Remote Sensing & Image Intrprt Qian Yu UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
GEOGRAPH 426 01LL Remote Sensing & Image Intrprt UMass Amherst TU 2:30PM 4:30PM
NRC 240 01 Intro to Quantitative Ecology Huw Lloyd UMass Amherst M W 11:15AM 12:30PM
NRC 260 01 Fish Conservation & Management Andrew Danylchuk UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
NRC 309 01 Nat Res Policy&Admin Charles Schweik UMass Amherst TU TH 2:30PM 3:45PM
NRC 570 01 Ecology of Fish Andrew Danylchuk UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
NRC 570 01LL Ecology of Fish UMass Amherst F 9:05AM 12:05PM
NRC 573 01 Behavioral Eco & Conservation Huw Lloyd UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
NRC 585 01 Introduction to GIS Forrest Bowlick UMass Amherst TH 11:30AM 12:45PM
NRC 585 01LL Introduction to GIS UMass Amherst F 9:05AM 12:05PM
NRC 585 01LM Introduction to GIS UMass Amherst F 1:25PM 4:25PM
NRC 585 01LN Introduction to GIS UMass Amherst TH 2:30PM 5:30PM
RES-ECON 263 01 Natural Resource Economics John Stranlund UMass Amherst TU TH 2:30PM 3:45PM

Fall 2025 CMS Courses: GEOLOGY and CHEMISTRY

Subject Course # Sect # Course Title Instructor(s) Institution Meeting Times
GEOL 105 01 Oceanography David Jones Amherst College M/W/F | 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM
GEOL 111 01 Planet Earth Victor Guevara Amherst College M/W/F | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
GEOL 111 01L Planet Earth Victor Guevara Amherst College TH | 8:00 AM - 9:50 AM
GEOL 111 02L Planet Earth Victor Guevara Amherst College TH | 1:05 PM - 2:55 PM
GEOL 450 01 Biogeochemistry Anna Martini Amherst College TU/TH | 8:35 AM - 9:50 AM
NS 0106 1 Environmental Earth Science Steve Roof Hampshire College 10:30AM-11:20AM TU;10:30AM-11:20AM TH
GEOL 210 01 Plate Tectonics Michelle Markley Mount Holyoke College MW 03:15PM-04:30PM
CHM 346 01 Environmental Analytical Chem Andrew Berke Smith College TU TH 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM
CHM 346 L01 Environmental Analytical Chem Smith College TU 1:20 PM - 5:00 PM
CHM 346 L02 Environmental Analytical Chem Smith College TH 1:20 PM - 5:00 PM
CHM 346 L03 Environmental Analytical Chem Mona Kulp Smith College W 1:20 PM - 5:00 PM
GEO 101 01 Intro to Earth Process & Hist Jack Loveless Smith College M W F 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
GEO 104 01 Global Climate Change Greg de Wet Smith College M W 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
GEO 232 01 Sedimentary Geology Bosiljka Glumac Smith College TU TH 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
GEO 232 L01 Sedimentary Geology Bosiljka Glumac Smith College TH 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
GEO 361 01 Tectonics Jack Loveless Smith College M W F 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM
GEO-SCI 563 01 Glacial Geology Julie Brigham-Grette UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
GEO-SCI 563 01LL Glacial Geology UMass Amherst W 1:25PM 5:25PM
GEOLOGY 101 99LL The Earth UMass Amherst M 2:30PM 5:30PM
GEOLOGY 101 99LM The Earth UMass Amherst TU 8:00AM 11:00AM
GEOLOGY 101 99LN The Earth UMass Amherst TU 2:30PM 5:30PM
GEOLOGY 101 99LQ The Earth UMass Amherst W 2:30PM 5:30PM
GEOLOGY 101 99LR The Earth UMass Amherst TH 8:00AM 11:00AM
GEOLOGY 101 99LS The Earth UMass Amherst TH 2:30PM 5:30PM
GEOLOGY 101 99LU The Earth UMass Amherst F 2:30PM 5:30PM
GEOLOGY 103 01 Intro Oceanography Martin Medina Elizalde UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
GEOLOGY 103 02 Intro Oceanography Martin Medina Elizalde UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
GEOLOGY 103H 01 Intro Oceanography, Honors Isla Castaneda UMass Amherst TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM
GEOLOGY 285 01 Environmental Geology Steven Petsch UMass Amherst TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM

Fall 2025 CMS Courses: ECOLOGY and BIODIVERSITY

Subject Course # Sect # Course Title Instructor(s) Institution Meeting Times
BIOL 181 01F Adaptation & Organism Kelly Wallace Amherst College TH | 2:35 PM - 3:25 PM
BIOL 181 02 Adaptation & Organism Kelly Wallace Amherst College M/W/F | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
BIOL 181L 01L Adaptation & Org Lab Thea Kristensen Amherst College TU | 1:05 PM - 4:05 PM
BIOL 181L 02L Adaptation & Org Lab Thea Kristensen Amherst College W | 2:35 PM - 5:35 PM
BIOL 181L 03L Adaptation & Org Lab Thea Kristensen Amherst College TH | 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
BIOL 230 01 Ecology Ethan Temeles Amherst College M/W/F | 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM
ENST 210 01 Ecology Ethan Temeles Amherst College M/W/F | 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM
CS 0179 1 Animal Behavior Theory Amy Teffer Hampshire College 02:30PM-03:50PM M;02:30PM-03:50PM W
BIOL 223 01 Ecology w/ Lab Martha Hoopes Mount Holyoke College MWF 10:00AM-11:15AM
BIOL 223L 01 Ecology Lab Martha Hoopes,Molly McCutcheon Mount Holyoke College M 01:30PM-04:20PM
BIOL 223L 02 Ecology Lab Molly McCutcheon,Martha Hoopes Mount Holyoke College T 01:30PM-04:20PM
BIOL 223L 03 Ecology Lab Martha Hoopes,Molly McCutcheon Mount Holyoke College W 01:30PM-04:20PM
BIOL 223L 04 Ecology Lab Molly McCutcheon,Martha Hoopes Mount Holyoke College TH 01:30PM-04:20PM
BIO 130 01 Biodiversity, Ecol, Conservatn Smith College M W 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
BIO 130 D01 Biodiversity, Ecol, Conservatn Smith College M 3:05 PM - 4:20 PM
BIO 130 D02 Biodiversity, Ecol, Conservatn Smith College TU 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
BIO 130 D03 Biodiversity, Ecol, Conservatn Smith College W 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
BIO 131 01 Res:Biodiv, Ecol, Consrv Lab Marney C. Pratt Smith College M 1:30 PM - 4:20 PM
BIO 131 02 Res:Biodiv, Ecol, Consrv Lab Marney C. Pratt Smith College TU 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
BIO 131 03 Res:Biodiv, Ecol, Consrv Lab Mary Caroline McKitrick Smith College W 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
BIO 131 04 Res:Biodiv, Ecol, Consrv Lab Smith College TH 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
BIO 266 01 Ecology: Principles&Apps Mariana Abarca Smith College M W 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
BIO 267 01 Ecology: P&A Lab Mariana Abarca Smith College W 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
BIO 268 01 Marine Ecology Paulette M. Peckol Smith College TU TH 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM
BIO 269 01 Marine Ecology Lab Aly Putnam Smith College M 1:30 PM - 4:20 PM
BIO 269 02 Marine Ecology Lab Paulette M. Peckol Smith College TU 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
GEO 231 01 Invert Paleont & Hist of Life Sara B. Pruss Smith College M W F 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
GEO 231 L01 Invert Paleont & Hist of Life Sara B. Pruss Smith College W 1:20 PM - 4:00 PM
BIOLOGY 280 02 Evolut:Diversity Life-thruTime Akiko Okusu UMass Amherst M W 2:30PM 3:45PM
BIOLOGY 287 01 Intro Ecology Christiane Healey UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
BIOLOGY 424 01 Marine Biology Akiko Okusu UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
BIOLOGY 424 01LL Marine Biology UMass Amherst F 9:05AM 12:05PM
BIOLOGY 424 01LM Marine Biology UMass Amherst F 1:25PM 4:25PM
BIOLOGY 550 01 Animal Behavior Jeffrey Podos UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
BIOLOGY 550 01LL Animal Behavior UMass Amherst TU 1:00PM 4:00PM
BIOLOGY 550 01LM Animal Behavior UMass Amherst TH 1:00PM 4:00PM
BIOLOGY 550 02 Animal Behavior Peter Houlihan UMass Amherst TU TH 2:30PM 3:45PM
BIOLOGY 550 02LL Animal Behavior UMass Amherst M 1:25PM 4:25PM
BIOLOGY 550 02LM Animal Behavior UMass Amherst W 1:25PM 4:25PM
NRC 494GI 01 Global Change Ecology Brian Cheng UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
NRC 570 01 Ecology of Fish Andrew Danylchuk UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
NRC 570 01LL Ecology of Fish UMass Amherst F 9:05AM 12:05PM
NRC 573 01 Behavioral Eco & Conservation Huw Lloyd UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
NRC 584 01 Ecophysiology Lisa Komoroske UMass Amherst M W 11:15AM 12:30PM

Fall 2025 CMS Courses: HIGH MARINE CONCENTRATION

Subject Course # Sect # Course Title Instructor(s) Institution Meeting Times
ENST 430 01 Fisheries Ethan Temeles Amherst College W | 1:05 PM - 4:05 PM
GEOL 105 01 Oceanography David Jones Amherst College M/W/F | 10:05 AM - 10:55 AM
BIO 268 01 Marine Ecology Paulette M. Peckol Smith College TU TH 9:25 AM - 10:40 AM
BIO 269 01 Marine Ecology Lab Aly Putnam Smith College M 1:30 PM - 4:20 PM
BIO 269 02 Marine Ecology Lab Paulette M. Peckol Smith College TU 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
GEO 232 01 Sedimentary Geology Bosiljka Glumac Smith College TU TH 10:50 AM - 12:05 PM
GEO 232 L01 Sedimentary Geology Bosiljka Glumac Smith College TH 1:10 PM - 4:00 PM
BIOLOGY 424 01 Marine Biology Akiko Okusu UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
BIOLOGY 424 01LL Marine Biology UMass Amherst F 9:05AM 12:05PM
BIOLOGY 424 01LM Marine Biology UMass Amherst F 1:25PM 4:25PM
GEOLOGY 103 01 Intro Oceanography Martin Medina Elizalde UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
GEOLOGY 103 02 Intro Oceanography Martin Medina Elizalde UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
GEOLOGY 103H 01 Intro Oceanography, Honors Isla Castaneda UMass Amherst TU TH 11:30AM 12:45PM
NRC 260 01 Fish Conservation & Management Andrew Danylchuk UMass Amherst TU TH 10:00AM 11:15AM
NRC 570 01 Ecology of Fish Andrew Danylchuk UMass Amherst TU TH 1:00PM 2:15PM
NRC 570 01LL Ecology of Fish UMass Amherst F 9:05AM 12:05PM

Internships

Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Internship Program
Funded by the Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Program. Only Five College students are eligible (Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst).  Graduating seniors and graduate students are not eligible.
The 2021 Internship Program application is now available.
 

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)

Nationwide search for paid internships in ocean science (and many other science fields), Funded by the National Science Foundation. Stipends and application deadlines/procedures vary (some as early as January for the following summer). NSF updates deadlines and adds opportunities as they become available. Most of these are limited to undergraduates who are permamnent US residents or citizens.
Hint: If deadlines are out-of-date, click on link to individual REU programs. The individual program websites are more likely to be current.

Texas A&M Ocean and Coastal Resource REU
Due February 15th each year

Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, Massachusetts

REU for rising sophomores and juniors.
Due February 15th each year (priority)
        March 10th each year (final)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Summer student fellowships for guided research (only juniors may apply).
Due February 15th each year.

UMass-Dartmouth
School for Marine Science and Technology

Coverletter and resume required,
no application or due date posted.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, ME
Due February 15th each year

Ocean Exploration Trust
Internships in ocean science, seafloor mapping, ROV engineering and vieo engineering/filmmaking.
Due January 20th each year.

Institute for Broadening Participation:
Pathways to Science

A compilation of coastal and marine research, outreach, and educational opportunities for undergraduates and graduates (you can also search other disciplines). Stipends and application deadlines/procedures vary (some as early as January). Please note that only research internship field hours can be applied towards the certificate.

Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory
University of Southern Mississippi. Fall and spring volunteer internships available.
Due May 1 and November 1

Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
Gulfport, Mississippi
Due November 1, March 1, and June 1 for following season

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Known for its research in marine science and biomedicine, aquaculture and ocean engineering, Harbor Branch-FAU is located between Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, Florida, on the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most biodiverse estuaries in the United States.
Due March 1st each year.

Seabird & Shorebird Internships/Jobs
Many internships and paid field positions in the Northeast and nationwide, posted in weekly compilations (search on "birdjobs").  Applications and due dates vary by posting.

Texas A & M Job Board
Too many great opportunities to list: marine mammals, birds, fisheries, sea turtles, etc. Worth a look.

Green Dream Jobs
Find jobs/internships nationwide. There are usually a few marine science postings.

Seabird & Shorebird Internships/Jobs
Many internships and paid field positions in the Northeast and nationwide, posted in weekly compilations (search on "birdjobs"). Listserve available. Applications and due dates vary by posting.

Institute for Broadening Participation:
Pathways to Science

A compilation of coastal & marine research opportunities for undergraduates and graduates (you can also search other disciplines). Stipends and application deadlines/procedures vary (some as early as January for summer).

Ocean Exploration Trust
Internships in ocean science, seafloor mapping, ROV engineering, and vieo engineering/filmmaking. Due January 16, 2015.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Plymouth, MA
Volunteer Internships in marine conservation.
Minimum commitment of 3 months, with the possibility of extended term.
All interns are trained in photo-identification, data-collection and management, identification catalog maintenance, public speaking, and marine mammal policy.
Admission is rolling-early application (January) advised.

Cape Ann Whale Watch and Ocean Alliance, Gloucester, MA
Interns will staff whale watch tours (Humpback, Minke, and Fin Whales)and interact with passengers with hands-on teaching tools such as baleen and whale teeth, a 3-D model of the ocean floor, and plankton collected during the trip. Interns will also collect data on whale sighting, identification, and weather. naturalist training will be provided. Group housing is available at cost. Position is volunteer (minimum 2 months), application is rolling.

Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory,
University of Southern Mississippi. Fall and spring volunteer internships available.
Due May 1st and November 1st

Humpback Whale Internship with the Alaska Whale Foundation's Rapunzel Project 

Nationwide

Western USA (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY)

Southeastern USA (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)

NORTHEAST USA (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA)

Midwest USA (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI)

International

Contact Us

Brian Cheng

Brian Cheng

Program Director
Daniel Lavigne

Daniel Lavigne

Program Coordinator
A smiling man with short hair, blue collared shirt, and blue jacket.

Ray Rennard

Director of Academic Programs