The Master of Advanced Studies Program in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MAS MBC Program) is centrally located on the campus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Overlooking the Ellen Browning Memorial Scripps Pier, the Pacific Ocean and multiple state marine protected areas, the MAS MBC Program is uniquely situated to inspire and educate students. Our unique, specialized one-year MAS MBC Program begins with a 10-week intensive summer course that features lectures by more than 40 renowned ocean experts, who cover varied marine conservation and biodiversity topics. Laboratory work and field trips complement classroom activities, giving students hands-on experience in applied research and data collection. Our global ocean fuels our economy, supports vibrant coastal communities, and provides vital habitat for innumerable marine species. Indeed, the ecological, oceanographic and biological systems that lie beneath our ocean's surface create the very building blocks of life, supporting complex food webs that cascade through every tier of the natural world.