在过去十年中，随着对海洋哺乳动物生物学，行为和生理学的进一步了解以及改进的诊断和评估工具和技术的发展，海洋哺乳动物的护理和保护方面取得了长足的进步。拥有该学位的学生将成为该国精选课程的一部分，该课程旨在为他们做好在海洋哺乳动物管理（包括相关生态系统），种群评估，声学和护理方面的就业准备。课程将整合诸如海洋哺乳动物医学和病理学，医学诊断和实验室分析，种群评估和管理，州和联邦法规，应用海洋声学，研究，教育和应用行为分析等主题。学生将有机会与我们社区中的医学，培训和研究专家进行互动，并在许多海洋哺乳动物修复，管
The Master of Professional Science (MPS) degree prepares students for science careers in industry, government, and non-profit organizations, where employment demands are growing. MPS degrees were developed and implemented nationally in response to employer demands for well-rounded, highly trained employees with a breadth of knowledge and practical skills to address emerging environmental issues and improve the management of natural and cultural resources. The curriculum is structured to allow students to complete their degree in as little as 12 months (for select tracks), with the training and real-world experience necessary to prepare them for careers in today's professional science job market.<br><br>Advances in the care and conservation of marine mammals have progressed dramatically over the last decade with the development of a greater understanding of marine mammal biology, behavior, and physiology, as well as improved diagnostic and assessment tools and techniques. Students in this degree track will be part of one of the select programs in the nation designed to prepare them for employment in marine mammal management (including associated ecosystems), population assessments, acoustics, and care. Coursework will integrate topics such as marine mammal medicine and pathology, medical diagnostics and laboratory analysis, population assessment and management, state and federal regulations, applied ocean acoustics, research, education, and applied behavior analysis. Students will have the opportunity to interact with medical, training, and research experts in our community, as well as conduct an internship at one of many marine mammal rehab, managed care, or research facilities. As part of the practical training incorporated into the Marine Mammal Science curriculum, most students will participate in mark-recapture surveys, public education, wild health assessments, behavior analysis and modification studies, clinical care and diagnostics, necropsies, and regional and national conferences.