Marine Science, Safety & Environmental Protection

As an MSSEP major, you will:

• Engage in coastal and offshore field work
• Explore scientific concepts using hands-on methods
• Utilize technology critical for environmental and marine science
• Apply practices in marine and industrial safety
• Assess environmental and human health risks
• Analyze coastal zones and associated management strategies 
• Deliver presentations on complex topics within the marine science and the marine safety fields
• Develop skills in technical and scientific writing

View Curriculum

Academic Requirements

To be considered for admission to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, candidates must be capable of college-level study and meet the minimum requirements below:

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of Mathematics: Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalc/Trigonometry (strongly encouraged). At least one course must be completed during senior year. *
• 3 years of Science: At least three of these courses must include labs. Technology/Engineering courses must be designated as science courses (taken for science credit) by the high school. Courses in Chemistry and Physics are strongly recommended.
• 2 years of Social Science: Including one course in United States History
• 2 years of Foreign Language: Two sequential, one-year courses in either a classical or modern language 
  • A foreign language waiver may be given to students attending a vocational technical high school or those who have received a waiver from their high school.
• 2 Elective Courses

Test Requirements

The submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional. For more information, please review our Test Optional Policy.

If you choose to submit your standardized test scores, you must submit official test scores from either The College Board (SAT) or The ACT (ACT). When taking the exam, have your scores sent directly to Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Please note, score requests can take between 2-4 weeks to be delivered and added to a student's application. 

• Average SAT Score: 1050-1100* (SAT Code: 3515)
• Average ACT Score: 22-23 (ACT Code: 1856)
• *We will superscore your SAT scores.

How to prepare for this major:

- Four years of college prep math. Pre-calculus is strongly encouraged.
- 3-4 years of lab science, including Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Final grade of B or better in all math, science, engineering related courses.

MSSEP graduates go on to a variety of careers in environmental health and safety, science, and environmental monitoring and protection. Some select a life at sea as environmental officers on cruise liners or research vessels. Others pursue careers on land with industries, non-profits, schools, or government agencies.

Some of the careers of our graduates include:

• Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

• Environmental Officer at Cruise Lines (including Celebrity, Norwegian, and Disney)

• NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps

• Aquaculture Specialists

• Environmental Scientist

• Research Associate with scientific institutions and various foundations, such as the Marine Biological Laboratory 

- Students should monitor aquatic systems to produce and evaluate data regarding chemical, biological, physical and/or geologic properties of such systems.

- Students should apply practices in marine and industrial safety.

- Students should assess environmental and human health risks.

- Students should analyze coastal zones and associated management strategies.

- Students should develop and deliver purposeful presentations on complex topics within the marine science and the marine safety fields.

- Students should evaluate the primary scientific literature and apply their analysis by composing effective scientific research papers.

- Students should apply marine science, safety and/or environmental protection knowledge and skills to cooperative experiences.

The Marine Science and Aquaculture Laboratory along with several small MSSEP research vessels are incredible learning platforms for students to engage in hands-on science both onshore and offshore. The MSSEP Department supports student-focused research. Recent student projects include underwater video mapping of eelgrass and shell beds, monitoring dissolved oxygen and temperature to inform local fisheries, and tracking invasive marine species.

The MSSEP Department receives funding from multiple local municipalities to monitor stormwater. Since 2018, MSSEP students have helped to lead this environmental protection effort.

MSSEP students also travel the globe for experiential learning. In the freshmen year, MSSEP cadets complete a field course in Bermuda at the world-class Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). The course focuses on studying the biology of reef systems, mangroves, and forests at sites across the island. A second field course in Hawaii is a departmental elective. Cadets selecting to engage in this course will study the geology, ecology, and environmental issues as a junior or senior in Hawaii.   

LEARN MORE

MSSEP faculty aim to see our students succeeding in the field.  Faculty connect students to their wide network in research, industry, non-profit, and government agencies. This leads to meaningful co-ops, hands-on experiences, and learning opportunities in marine science, environmental health and safety, and environmental protection. This faculty-led networking has resulted in many unique student opportunities.

Recently, MSSEP students have participated in the following:

- Participation in NOAA’s Ecosystem Monitoring research cruises
- Research on ocean temperatures and oxygen levels with NOAA’s Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps and Large Trawlers (eMOLT) program
- American Society of Safety Professionals Student Chapter networking events and engagement in the MMA Safety Night Speaker Series
- Tours of construction companies, boat yards, and cruise ships to evaluate safety procedures
- Behind the scenes tours of the Marine Biological Laboratory and Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Professional conferences focused on marine science and GIS
- Citizen science and research projects at local beaches
- Oil spill cleanup exercises
- Offshore eelgrass monitoring research
- MA Coastal Zone Management rapid assessment survey for marine invasive species