The hands-on experience of MMA
buoys graduates on land and sea
by Bil y R. Sims
John Barlow, Ph.D., was hired to teach
with the mission to develop a program for the first Marine
ocean studies as part of an interdisci-
Biology degree curriculum. The addition of the biology major
1970plinaryprogramatMaineMaritime, totheprogramwastheresultofrecommendationsmadeby
but he arrived with a vision for an oceanography department.
William J. Brennan, then independent Sawyer Professor and
It would be almost 20 years before the idea would be fulfilled,
later, President of MMA.
when Barlow was called to the office of incoming Academy
The Marine Biology major focuses on training and experi-
President Ken Curtis the first day he was on campus.
ences on the biological components of oceanography, including
"He asked me about the possibility of developing a marine
instruction in essential biology courses, as wel as specialized
science undergraduate program," said Barlow, "and I was excit-
topics relevant to marine organisms. The Marine Science
ed. We needed to increase enrollment, and this was a great way
major prepares students for work in its respective field with an
of doing it."
emphasis on problem-solving and decision-making in an ocean
"I took a sabbatical to teach in England the next semester at
setting. The curriculum includes biology, chemistry, computer
Plymouth University, which offered a marine science degree
science, geology, physics and humanities.
program, and developed a curriculum proposal for the Acade-
The capstone for students in both majors is the senior
my that was accepted as one of the first non-license programs."
research project. In the second semester of their junior year,
Barlow teamed with Assistant Professor Barry Kilch, who
students take a course in research preparation. "Through this
taught chemistry and biology, and the first class of 10 students
course they learn how to develop a proposal for their indepen-
was enrolled and began work toward degrees in Marine Science
dent research project," said Jim McKenna, Associate Professor
in 1990.
and current Chair of the department. "We don't have pre-
The Corning School of Ocean Studies, named after bene-
defined projects, which is the norm at other institutions.
factor Nathan Corning, was a unique offering in Maine at that
"We take a very different approach because we feel an im-
time, and the school has strived since to offer instruction that
portant part of science is creativity... of coming up with an in-
sets it apart from other ocean studies programs.
teresting question to ask," he said. "Once students develop their
question, they develop the research methodology to answer the
Program Growth
question."
The department has grown to a faculty of nine with approxi-
At the outset as juniors, they are often daunted by the pros-
mately 60 students. "We raised significant funding via grants
pect of the challenging work ahead. "But when they complete
and foundations," said Barlow, "increased enrollment, have
their projects," said McKenna, "they achieve an incredible sense
had good job placement for graduates and excellent gender
of accomplishment and we see a fundamental change."
diversity."
Joceline Boucher, PhD, who joined the department its
Ocean Studies offers majors in Marine Biology and Marine
second year as Assistant Professor of Marine Chemistry and
Science in addition to a five-year dual degree program joining
now also serves as Director of Accessibility Services, adds, "In
the major disciplines with a two-year associate degree in Smal
that process, students gain so much more confidence in their
Vessel Operations leading to a 200-ton license.
abilities. That is a success that wil serve them wel for whatever
"We try to impart to students the qualities of good science
life brings."
skil s, curiosity and ethical science," said Ann Cleveland, PhD,
Al of the school's lab equipment, much of which is re-
who took over as Chair of the department in 2002, and now
search-grade -- at other schools often reserved for graduate
serves as a Professor of Marine Biology. Cleveland came aboard
students and faculty -- is available to students. "They receive
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