MOP is an abreviation for the Marine Option Program. Started in the early 70's as a SeaGrant program, and driven by students interested in more of a hands on and marine experiential program, MOP was born! The program is the only system wide certificate program offered and emphasizes intercampus involvment. MOP is currently on Kaui, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Students from the different campuses gather regularly for QUEST, MAST (Maritime Archaeology Symposium and field school) and the annual symposium, as well as shared resources such as Kahoolawe surveys, Turtle Tagging, Molokai fish pond work and other projects.

MOP is primarily student driven by students interested in the sea that sorrounds our islands. MOP provides opportunities for students of all majors interested in the ocean. Besides offering a certificate in MOP, we provide a number of opportunities for students. These include turtle tagging, scientific diving, camping, whale and seal counts, and many other ocean related field trips.

Surf our site, stop by the MOP shop, email us with quetions.

About the Marine Option Program at UH-Hilo

The Marine Option Program (MOP) is a certificate program available to all undergraduate students at the University of Hawai‘i, regardless of major. The program has branches on campuses throughout the UH system. The MOP certificate is earned by completing selected course work and completing a hands-on project or internship, combining academic requirements with practical experience in an area of marine interest of the student’s choice. Each year MOP sponsors a Student Skill Project Symposium where selected students gain valuable experience by presenting the results of their projects. The site for the symposium rotates among UH campuses. UH Hilo MOP also coordinates QUEST (Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques), the annual UH system-wide scuba research techniques course, MOP also serves as the UH Hilo center for marine-related activities ranging from scientific research to marine recreation. UH Hilo MOP offers students experience in a variety of recreational skills, including sailing and seamanship, fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Each year MOP students participate in tagging Green Sea Turtles in an on-going research program carried out in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. MOP also sponsors seminars, films, field trips, and short courses on various marine-related subjects. All UH Hilo students are invited to take part in MOP-sponsored activities.

The Marine Option Program Certificate Requirements
12 semester hours
The goals of MOP are to:
1. Provide an opportunity for undergraduate students in any discipline to acquire a marine    orientation during his/her residency at UH Hilo;
2. Add focus and relevance to the academic marine courses by aiding the students in acquiring a practical “marine skill”;
3. Help each MOP student, through counseling, discover and implement his/her individual marine-oriented educational career goals;
4. Provide special seminars and interdisciplinary courses designed to acquaint the undergraduate student with the many facets of marine affairs; and
5. Provide opportunities and guidance to students who wish to contribute their talents by working toward solutions for social and environmental
ocean-related problems.

Required Classes:

MARE 100 (1) Marine Option Program Seminar
And...

1. Survey class (3 credits)
BIOL/MARE 171 (3) Marine Biology OR MARE 201 (3) Oceanography

2. Interdisciplinary class (3 credits) Choose from:
BIOL 425 (3) Water Quality and Aquatic Productivity (same as AQUA 425 and
MARE 420)
ECON 380 (3) Natural Resource and Environmental Economics
GEOG 101 (3) Geography and the Natural Environment
GEOG 319 (3) Natural Hazards and Disasters
GEOG 326 (3) Natural Resources
GEOG 332 (3) Geography of the Hawaiian Islands
GEOG 335 (3) Geography of Oceania
GEOG 440 (3) Advanced Environmental Planning
GEOL 100 (3) Environmental Geology
HWST 211 (3) Hawaiian Ethnobotany
HWST 213 (3) Hawaiian Ethnozoology
MARE 282 (3) Global Change
MARE 360 (3) Marine Resources
MARE 434 (3) Teaching Marine Science
POLS 335 (3) Environmental Politics and Policy

3. Electives (6 credits): any approved marine-related course.

4. Skills project or internship.

For further information, contact the MOP Coordinator, UH Hilo at (808) 974-7544, (808) 933-3907, or at http://uhhmop.hawaii.edu/  Email is uhhmop@hawaii.edu