Marine Option Program Marine Studies Program For Undergraduates At The University Of Hawaii First Biennial Report

The only one of its kind in the United States, the Marine Option Program (MOP) involves undergraduate students from any major field of study in courses and practical marine field activities, leading to the granting of a non-degree certificate indicating proficiency in a marine area upon graduation. The Program began in March 1971 with an innovations grant from the University of Hawaii. Sea Grant support became available in July of that year, and has been significant in aiding program growth and development. The Marine Option Program, in its brief two-year history has spawned a diverse array of ocean-oriented activities and research projects for undergraduates, ranging from tours of Hanauma Bay to trips to Fiji aboard Hawaii Institute of Geophysics vessels. The purpose of this publication is to give students from the various projects a chance to tell their own stories just as they happened. We have attempted to capture some of the sparkle and enthusiasm that flavor MOP experiences in prose and photographs. Interspersed where they actually participated in the development of the Program are the feelings of few key faculty members. This biennial report describes this MOP program.