The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute is the oldest and most significant marine research facility on the Texas coast. We are changing our understanding of the world's oceans and coasts and educating a global population dependent on the ocean ecosystem. What began humbly in 1941 as a small, rough-lumber shack on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Port Aransas is now home to cutting-edge research, education, and outreach programs.<br>Four to six years of graduate study, which will include original research and practical experience as a Teaching Assistant, are required to complete the Ph.D. in Marine Science. The Doctoral program should contain no fewer than 21 hours of acceptable graduate work in marine science and no less than 6 hours in supporting areas, in addition to dissertation and supervised teaching. Of this minimal requirement of 21 hours, 12 hours of core courses must be completed. Core courses are listed in the Graduate Catalog. Supporting work from outside the major program (area of specialty) may include courses taken at another institution. To be eligible for admission to candidacy, all doctoral students must complete their core courses and pass a qualifying examination in their area of specialization. This examination will also confirm that students are competent in the other three subdisciplines. Candidacy requirements are normally completed by the end of the second year. All doctoral candidates write a dissertation based on the results of their original research and make a formal oral defense of the document to complete the degree requirements.<br>UTMSI research is broad and encompasses a variety of scientific disciplines, with emphases on Fish Physiology and Ecology, Ecosystem Dynamics, and Biogeochemistry. The scope of this research ranges from molecular studies to ecosystem-level biological investigations and biogeochemical studies of coastal regions and the world's oceans. The disciplines of geology and physical oceanography are incorporated into our research and training programs on Texas coastal zones.