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Graduate student Emma Gallagher conducting research in Jefferson Turner's Biological Oceanography & Plankton Ecology lab

Intercampus Marine Science Programs
MS, PhD

The University of Massachusetts Intercampus Marine Science (IMS) graduate program brings ‌together expertise in marine science and related fields under the umbrella of the entire University of Massachusetts system. The IMS mission involves scientific understanding, management, economic growth, and sustainability of our marine environments.

The multidisciplinary program focuses on the aquatic ecosystem and its contribution to humanity and provides a unique learning experience for students and professors alike who engage with local, regional, and worldwide partners.

Graduate students at IMS have the unique benefit of choosing to work from one of five diverse Â鶹¹ÙÍø campuses, including Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and  (Â鶹¹ÙÍø Medical School). Interested students apply to an individual Â鶹¹ÙÍø “home” campus.

Student success

SMAST PhD student Siddhant Kerhalkar standing in front of the ocean

Student spotlight

Siddhant Kerhalkar '24

"I learned that Â鶹¹ÙÍøD is home to good facilities and resources, and I knew I could do impactful research here. I am in the Intercampus Marine Science (IMS) program, which allows me to enroll in courses at the other Â鶹¹ÙÍø campuses and have access to resources and faculty across the Â鶹¹ÙÍø system."

For the application process, interested students, depending on their research interests, apply to one of the five Â鶹¹ÙÍø campuses. While IMS students may take courses at Â鶹¹ÙÍø Worcester Medical campus, please be aware the Worcester campus does not accept IMS applications.

Learn more about the overall program and admissions requirements.

University requirements for graduate admissions

  • Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
  • Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
  • Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required. International students applying with an transcript evaluation, please submit that document with your unofficial transcripts. International applicants for Data Science must submit semester-by-semester transcripts as well as consolidated transcripts. 
  • Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
  • English Proficiency Requirement: If you are a Domestic student and English is not your native language or you are an International student, you must provide the university with verification of your proficiency in English. This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. MOI (Medium of Instruction) does not meet our exemption requirements. The official TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score meets this requirement. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). We require an overall/total minimum score of 72 on the TOEFL iBT (New TOEFL 2026 score of 4) or BAND 6.0 on the IELTS Academic or a 52 on the Pearsons PTE Academic for entrance to any program and a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT (New TOEFL 2026 score of 4) or BAND 6.5 on the IELTS Academic for consideration for a teaching assistantship. Some programs require higher minimum scores (see program-specific requirements). Most programs also accept the Duolingo with a minimum score of 95. The following programs do not accept the Duolingo: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Psychology: Clinical and Public Policy. 
  • All official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Application dates

  • courses and option areas from  and 23 departments
  • range of knowledge from each faculty member
  • blending of diverse academic programs across traditional disciplines to form contemporary interdisciplinary concentrations
  • quality graduate education with fostering research and public service in support of the Commonwealth’s efforts

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Course descriptions, schedules and requirements