Marine Science

Marine Science

Why Marine Science?

The oceans are part of the thin, outer shell of the Earth and marine science is the study of this envelope, from the deep sea to shallow coastal oceans: their biology, chemistry, geology and physics together make marine science a richly inter-disciplinary science. The oceans are dynamic and vast, they contain most of the Earth's water and carbon and surface heat, and much of its biomass, but they do not operate alone.

• Specialize and perform applied research across all marine science disciplines (marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, and marine physics);
• Provide science-based decision support for marine natural resource, wildlife, aquaculture, water quality, and ecological restoration and management efforts;
• Apply cutting-edge technologies to ocean observing efforts, from land- and ship-borne systems to satellite oceanography;
• Conduct fundamental research on the complex dynamics that define global and regional oceanic processes, in the past, present, and future.

Students have the opportunity to use USM's research vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.

Students can pursue an Honors thesis which will involve doing research under the advisement of one of the marine science faculty.