The exact program will be determined by the student's interest, the research field of his supervisor and the required courses. Facilities for graduate work in marine science are based in Austin and at the shore-side laboratory of the Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas. The Institute is located on the Aransas Pass ship channel among the dunes at the tip of Mustang Island, with easy access to bays, beaches, and the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental systems nearby include the hypersaline Laguna Madre, seagrass meadows, fresh and salt water marshes, and the continental shelf. The Port Aransas facility offers research vessels, a specialized library , classrooms, laboratories, and flowing seawater system.
Course work taken in Austin often includes supporting work in other natural science departments.
At least one academic year is normally spent on the main campus. Most students then reside in Port Aransas while they undertake thesis or dissertation research at the Marine Science Institute. These students also take additional courses there, including the majority of their core courses, other organized courses, seminars, and training cruises. Graduate student apartments are available at the Institute. The student's undergraduate training should include twenty four semester hours in one of the life or physical sciences.