What is the Marine Option Program (MOP)?

MOP is open to  University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students from all majors who have an interest in the ocean.

MOP connects students with research and internship opportunities and offers marine-focused experiences and exciting field trips.

Through participation in MOP students will gain an increased understanding and appreciation of local marine ecosystems and marine-related careers.

What is the MOP Certificate?

The MOP certificate is similar to a minor, and is awarded to students who successfully complete 12 classroom credit hours of marine-related courses, including BIOL 104 (MOP Seminar), as well as a 3 credits of a MOP Skill Project (BIOL 400). The MOP Skill Project  is a marine-related research or internship project of student’s choice and design.

The MOP certificate is an official University of Hawai’i Certificate that is registered on your transcript.

Who can join MOP?

Not a marine science major? Not a problem.

MOP events are open to all students. Join our listserv to learn about upcoming events!

The MOP certificate pathway is a great way to add a marine science component to your education for any major; it’s an opportunity to further pursue your passion for marine studies. The certificate is an optional aspect of the MOP program.

What classes count towards the 12 classroom credit hours for the MOP Certificate? 

Students may choose from a wide variety of ocean-related courses to fulfill their certificate requirements. These courses can span oceanography, art, history, anthropology, philosophy, natural and social sciences, and more.

In addition, nearly all departments offer “directed reading/research” with faculty guidance in which each student determines their own course content. Such offerings are generally available as 399 and/or 499; these are sometimes repeatable. These can be accepted as fulfilling MOP requirements upon demonstration that an individual’s work for course credit is marine-related. 

In the event that students find courses which they feel should qualify as marine-related, they are encouraged to consult with the UHM MOP Coordinator (manoamop@hawaii.edu).

Interested in MOP?

To join our listserv and hear about field trips, events, and opportunities, click here.

If you are interested in the MOP certificate, complete a MOP Intake form and meet with Jeff Kuwabara—the UH Mānoa MOP coordinator (manoamop@hawaii.edu).