The Department of Marine Sciences (DMS) is the first graduate department of the Mayagüez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. Our curriculum is characterized for its diversity and flexibility to encompass our students’ interests. The DMS conducts and publishes research in a broad range of subjects within the fields of Biological, Chemical, Geological and Physical Oceanography.

The Department of Marine Sciences offers thesis-based M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with specialization in the areas of Biological, Chemical, Geological and Physical Oceanography. The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 29 credit units of course work and 6 credit units in thesis. The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 60 credit units of course work and 12 credit units for the dissertation. DMS theses are publication ready documents including one or more peer reviewed articles according to the academic program.

Modern teaching and sophisticated research facilities are available both on campus and at the field station. The DMS marine research laboratories and teaching are housed in the 18-acre island of Magueyes, located immediately offshore from the fishing village of La Parguera on southwest of Puerto Rico. An extensive Marine Sciences collection library is located at the main campus.