COURSE OVERVIEW
The proposed graduate-level fieldwork course, Sustainability and Resilience of Tropical Coastal Ecosystems, is designed for students interested in learning more about the interconnections between tropical coastal ecosystems, focusing on the nexus between coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove systems. This course will discuss the importance and value of these vital tropical coastal ecosystems. We will specifically concentrate on the stewardship, conservation, and restoration of these systems in light of the multiple assaults associated with global climate change that impact these systems and put them at risk of complete collapse. This includes reviewing the most critical issues in tropical marine biodiversity, resource sustainability, ecosystem resilience, and global change biology. Three (3) Lecture
ACADEMIC GOALS
This course offers students a hands-on understanding of tropical coastal ecosystem management and sustainability challenges. Participants will engage with local experts and communities, fostering skills in field research and sustainability practices.
This asynchronous, 1.5-credit elective integrates a supervised professional internship with structured reflection and applied coursework to help students connect academic learning to real-world practice. Through career design, goal setting, and reflective exercises, students clarify professional interests, build adaptability, and articulate the impact of their internship on future career pathways.
This asynchronous, 3-credit elective provides an immersive, supervised professional internship experience paired with structured reflection and applied academic work. Students integrate theory with practice while assessing organizational culture, ethical decision-making, feedback practices, and professional competencies. Through guided analysis and reflective assignments, students deepen self-awareness, strengthen career readiness, and clarify how their internship experience shapes future professional goals.