Maritime Studies, B.A.

Program Contact: J.R. Bratten (Dept. of Anthropology)

The Maritime Studies Program is designed to familiarize students with the dynamic cultural and natural resources of the maritime environment. Students gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to enable them to participate and contribute to our growing understanding and management of the maritime environment.

Maritime Studies prepares students for careers in the diverse and exciting maritime world. This degree provides a broad understanding of the diversified field by integrating maritime themes, transferable skills, and a knowledge base to enter a variety of maritime-related careers. The maritime industry is a major global employer with thousands of opportunities in many areas. The marine environment covers 71% of the earth, and continued technological advancement has increased pressure on its resources. Understanding and managing maritime resources is becoming increasingly important, requiring a wide range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that this Maritime Studies degree will provide.

The hallmark of the Maritime Studies Program is its flexibility because it allows students to tailor their degree program to their individual interests. It requires only a few specific core courses to provide an overview of the main areas in Maritime Studies. Students complete their degree programs with elective courses from a wide range of disciplines such as Anthropology/Archaeology, Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, History, Art History, Literature, Law, Political Science, and Leisure Studies.

Academic study is only part of the essential training needed for students of Maritime Studies. They also must have a structured field experience in which methods of sampling, recording, and other practical aspects of professional work in the field environment are learned.

Program Requirements

In addition to general University requirements, students seeking the B.A. degree in Maritime Studies must meet the requirements listed below.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all core courses and courses in the minor.

Students must have a structured field experience in which methods of sampling, recording, and other practical aspects of professional work in the field environment are learned. Field experiences in shipwreck archaeology and overseas history are available. Other structured field experiences can be designed.

In order to enhance the employability and/or acceptance into a graduate program of Maritime Studies, students must also complete a minor in their primary interest field. The fields of choice for minors are:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Economic Policy
• Environmental Studies
• Geography
• Global Hospitality and Tourism Management
• History
• International Studies
• Political Science
• Pre-Law
• Public Administration
• Spanish
• Earning the certificate in GIS

In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.

Maritime Studies majors should take BSC 2311 Introduction to Oceanography and Marine Biology for the Natural Sciences requirement. Students should also take EUH 1000 Western Perspectives I or EUH 1001 Western Perspectives II to meet the Social Science Breadth or Social Science Elective.

Mathematics Pathway

Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the Mathematics Pathways catalog page. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisites Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

*

Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

Lower Division Electives

Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to complete at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement.

Students should take the following courses:

Major

Major-Related

Students may select electives from any field, although the following fields are preferred:

• Anthropology/Archaeology
• Art History
• Biology
• Economics^{^}
• Environmental Studies
• Foreign Language
• Geography
• History
• Political Science/International Studies
• Leisure
• Public Policy
• Public Administration

+

Courses included in the major GPA.

^

No more than 24% of the program requirements for the degree may be taken in traditional business subjects.

Upper-Division Electives

Maritime Studies Minor

The Maritime Studies Minor is a supplement to majors other than Maritime Studies and is for those who want a minimal background in the subject to prepare for employment in fields related to the subject, including, but not limited to:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Environmental Studies
• Government
• History

A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses used to satisfy the minor.

*

Or both ECO 2013 Principles of Economics Macro and ECO 2023 Principles of Economics Micro for 6 hours.