Do you love the ocean? For motivated students provides invaluable, hands-on, marine-oriented education, as well as a chance for students with common interests to meet.

If you have a curiosity about the natural or cultural history of the sea, Hawaii's ocean can provide a world of activity. UH's Marine Option Program (MOP) can open doors to those discoveries.

A MOP Summary 

MOP is a unique opportunity for undergraduates in any field of study who have an interest in the ocean. It is open to students in all fields and provides a clearinghouse for marine-oriented education and employment opportunities as well as a chance for students to network with professionals and fellow students who are involved with the ocean.

MOP focuses on undergraduates and is available throughout the ten campus UH system. Classified graduate students, unclassified graduate students, and professional students are also welcome to join.

Through outreach and stewardship activities MOP serves pre-college students and teachers and the community at large. A monthly student newsletter, Seawords, is distributed worldwide.

A MOP certificate (similar to a minor) is awarded to undergraduates who successfully complete 12-16 credit hours of marine-related courses. This includes a unique MOP skill project (with faculty guidance): design and conduct a personal marine or aquatic project related to their educational goals.

Past projects have run from scientific research to endeavors in the arts. Each year MOP students from all UH campuses have an opportunity to present their projects at the MOP Symposium.

For details and further information on MOP certification requirements, please visit the Certification and Courses section of our website.

Our Address 

Marine Option Program
College of Natural Sciences
University of Hawai'i at Manoa

2450 Campus Road
Dean Hall 105A
Honolulu, HI 96822

MOP On The UH Manoa Campus 

Click on the image below to open a map of the full UH Manoa campus. A PDF file (2.85MB) will open in a new window.

MOP Staff

Meet the MOP Staff at UH Manoa and at our other campuses by visiting the MOP Staff section of our website.

A History of MOP

Click here to read MOP's Voyage : History and Highlights, a MOP timeline compiled by Sherwood Maynard and Annie Orcutt.