Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences Certificate
The Five College Coastal and Marine Sciences (FCCMS) Certificate enables students to select from a variety of marine science-related courses, including oceanography, coastal and marine ecology/geology, resource management and policy, and other selected courses to create a cohesive concentration. Under the guidance of faculty advisors on each campus, students choose a progressive series of courses available within the five campuses and in academic off-campus programs (Sea Education Association, Williams-Mystic, Shoals Marine Laboratory, Marine Biological Laboratory, Duke Marine Laboratory, and other approved semester-away programs).
Students are required to gain proficiency in data collection through intensive field courses or internships. Students must also participate in a “capstone” independent, marine-related research project, culminating in a poster presentation to members of the program. Students interested in working toward the certificate must first meet with the FCCMS Program Coordinator to determine an introductory course of study. Certificate students are then assigned a FCCMS faculty advisor at Amherst College, who reviews and approves the field experience and independent research project. For more information on the certificate requirements, please visit the program website at https://www.fivecolleges.edu/marine/certificate.