世界一半以上的人口居住在不断增长的沿海地区。这些领域是主要的经济引擎，为港口和航运，旅游业，渔业，水产养殖以及油气开采活动提供支持。由近岸水域和陆地组成的沿海地区代表着地球上最脆弱的栖息地。在敏感的栖息地和高人口密度之间实现经济活动的平衡是21世纪资源管理者面临的主要挑战。同样，对气候变化，海平面上升，海岸侵蚀和飓风的适应性给沿海管理者带来了额外的挑战。沿海地区管理课程将向参与者介绍这一日益重要的学科中的法律和治理框架。课程将整合诸如沿海渔业管理，海洋保护区，港口管理，旅游业开发，环境影响评估和石油勘探等
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>Over half of the world's population resides in growing coastal areas. These areas are major economic engines, supporting port and shipping, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and oil and gas mining activities. The coastal zone comprised of nearshore waters and lands represents some of the most fragile habitats on the planet. Balancing economic activities with sensitive habitats and high population density is a major challenge that resource managers face in the 21st Century. Similarly, adaptation to climate change, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and hurricanes pose additional challenges for coastal managers. The track in Coastal Zone Management will introduce participants to the legal and governance frameworks in this increasingly important discipline. Coursework will integrate topics such as coastal fisheries management, marine protected areas, port management, tourism development, environmental impact assessment, and oil exploration. Students will have opportunities to engage in internships with private, public or non-governmental agencies (NGO's) and conduct relevant fieldwork. Additional internship possibilities also exist with environmental advocacy groups and consulting firms. This track is part of the Environmental Science and Policy Department at Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, which has long-established links and study sites in Panam (among other countries), where students receive hands-on experience and work directly on coastal zone management issues.