A core component of the Professional Masters Degree in Marine Biology is an independent research project that will be conducted during either the Winter, Spring, or Summer semesters. This independent research project will differ from a traditional Masters thesis in both duration and length.

Students will design and implement a scientifically rigorous independent research project that builds upon current knowledge from the primary literature, under the supervision of a faculty advisor from the program. After conducting research at any of the program’s locations, students will analyze data using rigorous statistical methods (where appropriate), write a journal-style research paper, and present their results in a research seminar. Specific details regarding the three major aspects of the project are as follows:

1. Field research: Professional MS in Marine Biology students conduct research during their stay at any of the program’s three marine laboratories. Students have the option, when deemed appropriate by student and advisor, to return to these locations during the summer to conclude, or conduct additional, fieldwork and experiments.

2. Written paper: During the Fall semester of the second year, Professional MS in Marine Biology students submit a 20-30 page research paper that includes the classic components of a research article, including: an abstract, an introduction with an extensive review of the literature, materials and methods, results (with statistical analysis), a fully developed discussion, and literature cited.

3. Oral presentation: During the Fall semester of their second year, students enrolled in the Professional MS Degree Program present a seminar 20–30 minutes in length, followed by questions.

The independent research project has been an optional, yet integral part of the Three Seas Program since its inception in 1983: over the ensuing two decades, the training afforded by the research option has been one of the features distinguishing the Three Seas Program from competing experiential education programs. Previous research projects have resulted in several publications in peer-reviewed journals. The research project is an important aspect of the Professional Masters Degree because it demonstrates that students can perform the entire suite of skills needed to traverse the path from scientific inquiry to synthesis of findings.