US Schools

Overview

Scripps is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for ocean, earth, and atmospheric science research in the world. Founded in 1903, it is part of UC San Diego and consistently ranks as the #1 or #2 oceanography institution globally. Undergrads at UCSD can major in Marine Biology (B.S.) through the Biological Sciences division, with deep integration into Scripps research.

Key Faculty

• Lisa Levin – Deep-sea ecology, methane seeps, oxygen minimum zones. One of the world’s foremost deep-sea biologists. MacArthur-adjacent level influence.
• Drew Allen – Marine population genomics, evolutionary biology of fishes
• Jennifer Smith – Coral reef ecology, benthic ecology, algal community dynamics. Leads the Smith Lab studying reef resilience across the Pacific.
• Stuart Sandin – Coral reef ecology, predator-prey dynamics. Co-leads the 100 Island Challenge, a massive global reef monitoring project.
• Jeff Bowman – Microbial oceanography, sea ice ecosystems, polar biology
• Andrew Barton – Marine ecosystem modeling, phytoplankton ecology
• Octavio Aburto-Oropeza – Marine conservation, fish ecology, Gulf of California biodiversity. National Geographic Explorer.
• Brice Semmens – Fisheries ecology, Bayesian statistical methods, trophic ecology
• Phil Hastings – Marine vertebrate collection curator, ichthyology
• Ron Burton – Marine invertebrate genetics, population genetics

Major Labs & Centers

• Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC) – Flagship center for conservation biology training; runs a renowned graduate specialization
• Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (partnership) – Marine mammal and sea turtle research
• Scripps Coastal Reserve – UC Natural Reserve for coastal ecology fieldwork
• Birch Aquarium – Public aquarium run by Scripps, provides undergraduate employment and outreach opportunities
• Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine – Drug discovery from marine organisms
• California Current Ecosystem LTER – NSF Long-Term Ecological Research site

Government Connections

• NOAA: Extremely deep connections. NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center is literally adjacent to campus. Many joint appointments. CalCOFI program (California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations) is a partnership between NOAA, Scripps, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife dating to 1949.
• NSF: Major grant recipient. Operates research vessels funded partly by NSF.
• Navy: Historical and ongoing partnerships (Scripps was critical to WWII and Cold War oceanographic research; still has Office of Naval Research funding)
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Direct partnerships through CalCOFI and Marine Protected Area monitoring

Industry Partnerships

• Illumina (genomics giant, headquartered in San Diego) – biotech pipeline
• Qualcomm – ocean sensing technology
• San Diego biotech corridor broadly: Scripps feeds into one of the largest biotech clusters in the US
• Aquaculture partnerships in Baja California through cross-border research

Unique Facilities

• Research Vessel Sally Ride (R/V) – 238-foot global-class research vessel, one of the newest in the US academic fleet
• R/V Roger Revelle – 273-foot global-class vessel
• R/V Robert Gordon Sproul – Regional vessel for California coast work
• Hydraulics Laboratory – Wave generation facility
• Scripps Pier – Longest research pier in the world; continuous ocean measurements since 1916
• Birch Aquarium – Teaching and outreach facility
• Pelagic Invertebrates Collection, Marine Vertebrates Collection – Among the largest in the world
• Nimitz Marine Facility – Ship operations base

Undergraduate Research

• SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) – Paid summer research in Scripps labs
• CAMP (California Alliance for Minority Participation) – Research funding for underrepresented students
• Undergrads can join active research labs as early as freshman year
• Senior thesis research is common and encouraged
• The Marine Biology major includes required lab courses with field components at Scripps

Financial Aid

• UC San Diego is a public university: California residents have significant tuition advantage
• Out-of-state tuition ~$46,000/year (2024-25)
• Regents Scholarship: Full tuition + stipend for top admits (very competitive)
• Scripps-specific research fellowships available
• UC system has strong need-based aid
• International students have limited institutional aid but can access research fellowships

Notable Alumni

• Scripps alumni are heavily represented at NOAA, USFWS, and California state agencies
• Strong pipeline to Scripps graduate programs (internal track advantage)
• Many alumni in environmental consulting firms in Southern California
• Birch Aquarium provides early career experience in science communication

Overview

UW is a powerhouse for marine and fisheries science, with multiple relevant departments. The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) is one of the oldest and most respected fisheries programs in the world. The Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories provide additional marine biology strength. The College of the Environment houses most marine-related programs.

Key Faculty

• Ray Hilborn – Fisheries management, population dynamics. One of the most cited fisheries scientists in history. His work on sustainable fisheries is globally influential.
• Trevor Branch – Quantitative fisheries stock assessment, whale population dynamics
• Steven Roberts – Marine environmental genomics, epigenetics in shellfish. Pioneering work on how climate change affects oyster genetics.
• Jacqueline Padilla-Gamino – Coral and invertebrate physiology, reproductive biology under climate stress
• Chelsea Wood – Parasite ecology, historical ecology, marine disease
• Andre Punt – Fisheries stock assessment modeling, quantitative ecology
• Tim Essington – Food web ecology, ecosystem-based fisheries management
• Terrie Klinger – Marine policy, coastal zone management, sustainability science
• Julia Parrish – Seabird ecology, citizen science (founder of COASST – Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team)
• Billie Swalla – Developmental biology of marine invertebrates, evolution, biology at Friday Harbor Labs
• Adam Leache – Herpetology and phylogenomics (Biology Department – relevant for wildlife biology)
• Lauren Buckley – Ecological and evolutionary physiology (Biology)

Major Labs & Centers

• Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL) – A crown jewel. Located in the San Juan Islands, one of the world’s premier marine biological research stations. Undergrads can take summer courses and do research here.
• Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit – Federal-state-university partnership
• SAFS Fisheries Research Institute – Over 100 years of fisheries data
• Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management (QERM) – Interdisciplinary graduate program
• Joint Institute for the Study of Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO/CICOES) – Partnership with NOAA
• Olympic Natural Resources Center – Forest and wildlife research on Olympic Peninsula
• UW Climate Impacts Group – Climate adaptation research

Government Connections

• NOAA: Northwest Fisheries Science Center is in Seattle, directly adjacent to the UW campus. CICOES (Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies) is a formal NOAA-UW partnership with hundreds of joint researchers. This is one of the tightest NOAA-university relationships in the country.
• USFWS: Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit on campus
• WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife): Extensive collaborations on salmon, orca, and marine mammal research
• NSF: Major funding for Friday Harbor Labs and SAFS research
• EPA: Puget Sound research collaborations
• USGS: Joint research on Pacific Northwest ecosystems

Industry Partnerships

• Washington aquaculture industry – Taylor Shellfish, Pacific Shellfish Institute (oyster, mussel, geoduck farming research)
• Alaska fishing industry – Long-standing connections for fisheries management
• Seattle biotech – Growing corridor
• Environmental consulting firms – Anchor QEA, Herrera Environmental, many Seattle-based firms hire UW grads

Unique Facilities

• Friday Harbor Laboratories – World-class marine station with housing, boats, labs, diving support, on San Juan Island
• R/V Thomas G. Thompson – 274-foot global-class research vessel operated by UW
• Portage Bay Aquaculture Facility – On-campus shellfish research
• UW Fish Collection – One of the largest ichthyological collections in the Pacific Northwest
• Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture – Major vertebrate and invertebrate collections
• Big Beef Creek Research Station – Salmon research on Hood Canal
• Puget Sound access – Direct water access from campus for field sampling

Undergraduate Research

• SAFS undergraduate research – Students can join labs as early as sophomore year
• Friday Harbor Labs summer courses – Immersive field courses open to undergrads (highly recommended; can also take during academic year)
• Mary Gates Research Scholarship – Prestigious UW-wide undergrad research funding
• COASST citizen science – Students can participate in Julia Parrish’s seabird monitoring program
• Undergraduate capstone projects in SAFS
• Biology Honors Program with thesis option

Financial Aid

• Washington state resident tuition ~$12,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$41,000/year
• Husky Promise: Guarantees full tuition coverage for Washington families below median income
• Various SAFS-specific scholarships
• College of the Environment scholarships
• Mary Gates Research Scholarships fund undergraduate research directly
• WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) for western state students – 150% of resident tuition

Notable Alumni

• Extremely strong placement at NOAA, WDFW, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Many alumni become fisheries biologists for state and federal agencies across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
• Strong pipeline to graduate programs at UW and elsewhere
• Significant representation in environmental consulting in the Pacific Northwest
• Julia Parrish’s COASST has trained thousands of citizen scientists, many starting as UW undergrads

Overview

Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station, located in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula, is one of the oldest marine laboratories on the Pacific coast (founded 1892). The marine biology program is housed within the Department of Biology. Stanford offers a Biology major with a marine/ocean focus, and students spend time at Hopkins for courses and research. The station is adjacent to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Key Faculty

• Mark Denny – Biomechanics, wave-swept rocky intertidal ecology. Pioneer of ecomechanics.
• Steve Palumbi – Marine population genetics, coral resilience, climate adaptation, conservation biology. One of the most prominent marine biologists alive. Author of “The Death and Life of Monterey Bay.” Former director of Hopkins.
• Fiorenza Micheli – Marine conservation, marine protected areas, fisheries sustainability. Co-director of Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions.
• Barbara Block – Large pelagic fish biology, tuna and shark tagging, biologging technology. Her lab’s tagging program (TOPP – Tagging of Pacific Predators) has been groundbreaking. Pioneer of electronic tagging.
• Jim Watanabe – Rocky intertidal ecology, marine invertebrate biology, kelp forest ecology
• Giulio De Leo – Disease ecology, epidemiology, coupled human-natural systems
• Larry Crowder – Marine ecology, bycatch, ocean policy. Former NOAA chief scientist advisor.
• Nate Sanders – Community ecology (Biology department, main campus)

Major Labs & Centers

• Block Lab – Biologging and telemetry of marine megafauna (tunas, sharks, sea turtles)
• Palumbi Lab – Population genetics and genomics of marine organisms, coral resilience
• Center for Ocean Solutions – Ocean policy, marine spatial planning, human-ocean interactions
• Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment – Broader environmental research umbrella
• Micheli Lab – Marine conservation ecology
• Denny Lab – Biomechanics of marine organisms

Government Connections

• NOAA: Strong connections through Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Larry Crowder’s former NOAA role
• NSF: Major grant recipient for Hopkins research
• California Ocean Protection Council: Stanford faculty serve as advisors
• MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute): Nearby collaboration (MBARI is privately funded by David Packard Foundation but works extensively with Stanford)

Industry Partnerships

• Monterey Bay Aquarium – Adjacent to Hopkins; major partnership for research, education, and conservation
• MBARI – Deep-sea technology and research
• Tech industry – Stanford’s Silicon Valley location creates unique opportunities for ocean technology startups
• Ocean conservation NGOs – The Nature Conservancy, Ocean Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund all have Stanford connections

Unique Facilities

• Hopkins Marine Station – 11-acre facility on the Monterey Peninsula with flowing seawater labs, boat access, and dive support
• Monterey Bay access – One of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world; upwelling zone, kelp forests, deep submarine canyon
• Tag-A-Giant program – Barbara Block’s bluefin tuna research infrastructure
• Marine biological collections at Hopkins

Undergraduate Research

• Hopkins Marine Station courses – Quarter-long immersive marine biology courses
• Stanford Undergraduate Research Programs – Multiple funding mechanisms
• Bio-X undergraduate fellowships – Interdisciplinary biology research
• Senior honors thesis through Biology department
• Small class sizes at Hopkins (often 10–20 students) mean close faculty mentorship

Financial Aid

• Stanford meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
• No tuition for families earning under $100,000/year (updated threshold; verify current)
• No tuition or room/board for families earning under $75,000/year
• Need-blind admission for US students
• Extremely generous financial aid – one of the best in the country
• However, admission is extremely competitive (~4% acceptance rate)
• Research funding through various Stanford fellowships

Notable Alumni

• Strong pipeline into academia, marine policy, and NGO leadership
• Hopkins alumni are well-represented in conservation biology leadership
• Silicon Valley proximity creates ocean-tech startup opportunities
• NOAA and state agency placement is solid but less dominant than UW or Scripps (Stanford grads often go into policy/leadership roles rather than agency field positions)

Overview

MIT does not have a traditional marine biology undergraduate major. Instead, MIT’s strength is through its partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program (primarily a graduate program). However, MIT undergrads in Course 7 (Biology), Course 12 (Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences), or Course 1 (Civil and Environmental Engineering) can access WHOI resources. MIT undergrads can do summer research (REU) at WHOI. The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), also in Woods Hole, is now affiliated with the University of Chicago. MIT undergrads pursuing marine interests should be aware this is not a traditional marine biology pathway – it is more ocean engineering, physical oceanography, and marine chemistry focused, though biological oceanography is strong.

Key Faculty at MIT

• Ed DeLong – Microbial oceanography, metagenomics. Pioneer of marine microbial ecology.
• Mick Follows – Ocean biogeochemistry, ecosystem modeling
• Stephanie Dutkiewicz – Marine ecosystem modeling, phytoplankton ecology
• Michael Triantafyllou – Ocean engineering, biomimetic robotics (robotic fish)

Key Faculty at WHOI

• Simon Thorrold – Fish ecology, migration, otolith chemistry
• Michael Moore – Marine mammal health, whale disentanglement, right whale conservation
• Heidi Sosik – Phytoplankton ecology, ocean observing technology (Imaging FlowCytobot)
• Joel Llopiz – Larval fish ecology, ichthyoplankton
• Lauren Mullineaux – Deep-sea larval ecology, hydrothermal vent biology
• Tim Shank – Deep-sea biodiversity, hydrothermal vent ecosystems, genetics
• Peter Girguis – Microbial physiology, deep-sea ecosystems (Harvard, but works at WHOI)

Major Labs & Centers (WHOI)

• Biology Department at WHOI – Broad marine biology research
• Ocean Life Institute – Integrative ocean biology
• Coastal Systems Group – Coastal ecosystems and fisheries
• Marine Mammal Center – Right whale research, marine mammal acoustics
• Deep Submergence Laboratory – HOV Alvin operations, deep-sea exploration

Government Connections

• NOAA: Northeast Fisheries Science Center is in Woods Hole. Enormous federal marine science presence.
• USGS: Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center is there
• NSF: Major funder of WHOI operations and Alvin deep submergence vehicle
• Navy: Office of Naval Research supports WHOI research extensively

Unique Facilities

• HOV Alvin – The famous deep-sea submersible, operated by WHOI. Only human-occupied deep-sea research vehicle in the US.
• AUV Sentry – Autonomous underwater vehicle for deep-sea mapping
• R/V Atlantis, R/V Neil Armstrong – Major research vessels
• WHOI dock and marine operations – Extensive oceangoing infrastructure
• Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Observatory – Nearshore monitoring

Undergraduate Research

• WHOI Summer Student Fellowship – Prestigious 10–12 week paid research program for undergrads from any institution (very competitive)
• MIT UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) – Undergrads can get paid/credit for research
• MIT-WHOI Joint Program is primarily graduate, but undergrads can do senior thesis projects with WHOI scientists

Financial Aid

• MIT meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
• Need-blind admission for US citizens and permanent residents
• Average financial aid package covers the vast majority of costs for aided students
• Admission extremely competitive (~4% acceptance rate)
• WHOI Summer Fellowship provides housing and stipend

Important Caveat

• MIT is not the right choice if a student wants a traditional undergraduate marine biology experience with regular field courses, tide pool work, and marine organism identification. MIT’s strength is quantitative, engineering, and technology-focused ocean science. The marine biology is more cellular/molecular/genomic.
• For a student wanting marine biology as an undergrad experience, WHOI is better accessed through the summer fellowship than through enrolling at MIT.

Overview

Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment houses the marine science programs. The Duke Marine Lab is located in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the coast, about 3 hours from the main Durham campus. Undergrads can spend a semester or summer at the Marine Lab. The main campus offers an Environmental Science & Policy major and a Biology major, both with marine concentrations available.

Key Faculty

• Dave Johnston – Marine predator ecology, drone technology for marine research, marine mammal behavior
• Andy Read – Marine mammal conservation, fisheries bycatch, sea turtle ecology. One of the top marine mammal scientists globally.
• Dan Rittschof – Marine natural products, biofouling, larval settlement
• Brian Silliman – Salt marsh ecology, coastal ecosystem resilience, foundation species. His work overturned paradigms about top-down control in salt marshes.
• Cindy Van Dover – Deep-sea biology, hydrothermal vent ecology. Has been a pilot of HOV Alvin. Former director of the Marine Lab.
• Doug Nowacek – Marine bioacoustics, whale behavior and noise impacts
• Will Wilson – Marine invertebrate larval ecology, population connectivity
• Joe Hightower – Fish ecology, endangered species assessment
• Jason Roberts – Marine geospatial ecology, GIS for marine conservation

Major Labs & Centers

• Duke Marine Lab – Full marine station in Beaufort, NC with flowing seawater labs, boats, and housing
• Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab (MaRRS) – Dave Johnston’s drone and UAV lab
• Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab – Patrick Halpin and Jason Roberts; marine spatial planning
• Duke Center for Marine Conservation
• Marine Conservation Molecular Facility
• Beaufort NOAA Lab is adjacent to Duke Marine Lab

Government Connections

• NOAA: Beaufort Lab (Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research) is literally next door to Duke Marine Lab. Deep collaborations.
• NSF: Major funding
• USFWS: Sea turtle and marine mammal research partnerships
• Navy: Marine bioacoustics research with Office of Naval Research
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: State agency connections

Industry Partnerships

• Environmental consulting firms along the East Coast
• Offshore wind energy companies (noise impact studies)
• Marine technology companies (drone, AUV partnerships)
• Conservation NGOs (Oceana, Marine Conservation Institute)

Unique Facilities

• Duke Marine Lab campus – 15-acre campus on Pivers Island, Beaufort, NC
• R/V Susan Hudson – Research vessel
• Flowing seawater laboratory systems
• Drone fleet for marine megafauna surveys
• Marine Protected Area access – Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve nearby

Undergraduate Research

• Semester at the Marine Lab – Undergrads can spend a full semester at Beaufort taking marine courses and doing research
• Summer Research Fellowship at the Marine Lab
• Bass Connections – Interdisciplinary team research projects
• Independent study with marine lab faculty
• Small cohort sizes at the Marine Lab (often 20–40 students per semester) = close mentorship

Financial Aid

• Duke meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
• Need-blind for US citizens and permanent residents
• Multiple merit scholarships including AB Duke Scholars (full ride)
• Robertson Scholars Program (shared with UNC; full ride + summer experiences)
• Strong research funding available
• Admission competitive (~6–7% acceptance rate)

Overview

The Rosenstiel School (RSMAS) is one of the premier marine science schools in the US, located on Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay. Undergrads at UM can major in Marine Science, Marine Biology, or Marine Affairs through Rosenstiel. The subtropical/tropical location provides unique access to coral reefs, mangroves, and the Gulf Stream.

Key Faculty

• Jerry Ault – Fisheries dynamics, quantitative ecology, Florida reef fish populations
• Diego Lirman – Coral reef restoration, coral nurseries, reef resilience. Pioneer of coral gardening/restoration.
• Kathleen Sullivan Sealey – Coastal resilience, mangrove ecology, urban marine ecology
• Nikki Traylor-Knowles – Coral immunology, cnidarian biology, coral disease
• Amy Clement – Climate dynamics (atmospheric science)
• Neil Hammerschlag – Shark ecology, marine predator behavior (very active in media/outreach)
• Chris Langdon – Ocean acidification effects on corals, coral physiology
• Andrew Baker – Coral-symbiont ecology, coral bleaching, adaptive potential of reefs
• M. Alejandra Rojas – Marine microbial ecology

Major Labs & Centers

• Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) – NOAA partnership, one of the largest NOAA cooperative institutes
• Shark Research and Conservation Program – Hammerschlag’s lab
• Coral Reef Futures Lab – Lirman’s restoration work
• Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing (CSTARS) – Satellite oceanography
• Experimental Hatchery – Aquaculture and coral propagation

Government Connections

• NOAA: CIMAS is a massive NOAA cooperative institute at Rosenstiel. NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is on Virginia Key with Rosenstiel. Extremely close relationship.
• NOAA National Hurricane Center: Located in Miami; atmospheric science connections
• South Florida Water Management District: Everglades restoration research
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Extensive partnerships
• National Park Service: Biscayne National Park and Everglades research

Industry Partnerships

• Aquaculture companies in South Florida
• Marine technology companies
• Tourism and diving industry connections
• Environmental consulting firms
• International coral reef conservation NGOs

Unique Facilities

• Virginia Key campus – Waterfront campus on Biscayne Bay with direct ocean access
• R/V F.G. Walton Smith – 96-foot research vessel
• Experimental Hatchery and aquarium facilities
• Biscayne Bay access – Direct access to coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds
• Gulf Stream proximity – The Gulf Stream passes very close to Miami; unique for pelagic research
• SUSTAIN (SUrge STructure Atmosphere INteraction) facility – Hurricane wind-wave simulation

Undergraduate Research

• Marine Science undergraduate major – Integrated curriculum with RSMAS
• Undergraduate research in RSMAS labs – Available from sophomore year
• REU programs at Rosenstiel
• Coral restoration fieldwork – Students can participate in reef restoration projects
• Shark tagging expeditions – Hammerschlag’s lab involves undergrads

Financial Aid

• Private university: Tuition ~$58,000/year
• Miami offers significant merit aid (Stamps Scholarship, Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship, etc.)
• Need-based aid available
• Rosenstiel-specific scholarships exist
• Admission rate ~19%
• Strong merit packages can make it affordable

Overview

Oregon State has one of the most comprehensive marine science programs in the US. The College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) and the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences provide broad marine and wildlife biology training. Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR is a major research hub. OSU is a land-grant, sea-grant, sun-grant, and space-grant university.

Key Faculty

• Jane Lubchenco – Marine ecologist, former NOAA Administrator (under Obama), former White House science advisor. One of the most influential marine scientists in US policy history. MacArthur Fellow. Based at OSU.
• Bruce Menge – Rocky intertidal ecology, community ecology, long-term ecological research
• Mark Hixon – Coral reef fish ecology, marine reserves (now at University of Hawai’i but trained many at OSU)
• Selina Heppell – Marine fish population dynamics, sea turtle demography, quantitative ecology
• Leigh Torres – Marine mammal ecology, whale behavior, drone-based marine research
• Scott Baker – Whale genetics, cetacean conservation, DNA forensics for wildlife trade
• Lorenzo Ciannelli – Fisheries oceanography, climate effects on fish populations
• Su Sponaugle – Larval fish ecology, biophysical interactions, recruitment
• Robert Cowen – Director of Hatfield Marine Science Center, larval ecology, recruitment dynamics
• Tiffany Garcia – Amphibian ecology, wildlife biology (for the wildlife side)

Major Labs & Centers

• Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) – Major marine research station in Newport, OR. Houses OSU researchers plus NOAA, EPA, USFWS, and ODFW offices.
• Marine Mammal Institute – Leigh Torres, Scott Baker; whale and marine mammal research
• Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies (CIMERS) – NOAA partnership
• Oregon Hatchery Research Center – Salmon hatchery research
• PISCO (Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans) – Multi-institution rocky intertidal monitoring

Government Connections

• NOAA: Multiple NOAA offices are co-located at Hatfield Marine Science Center, including the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (Newport branch) and Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. CIMERS is a formal cooperative institute.
• EPA: Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch at Hatfield
• USFWS: Office at Hatfield; Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex nearby
• ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife): Lab at Hatfield; extensive partnerships
• NSF: PISCO funding, ship operations, and numerous individual grants
• BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management): Offshore energy research

Industry Partnerships

• Oregon aquaculture industry (oysters, seaweed)
• Pacific fishing industry (salmon, crab, groundfish)
• Environmental consulting
• Renewable ocean energy companies
• Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery (ocean acidification research partner)

Unique Facilities

• Hatfield Marine Science Center – Major research campus in Newport with aquarium, flowing seawater labs, dive operations, and vessels
• R/V Pacific Storm, R/V Elakha – Research vessels
• Oregon Coast access – Rocky intertidal, sandy beaches, estuaries
• HMSC Visitor Center/Aquarium – Public outreach facility
• OSU’s fleet of research vessels
• Marine mammal stranding network – One of the most active on the West Coast

Undergraduate Research

• Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences undergraduate major
• Marine Biology track within CEOAS
• Hatfield Marine Science Center semester – Students can spend a term at the coast
• REU programs at HMSC
• Undergraduate thesis/capstone in marine labs
• HMSC Visitor Center internships – Science communication

Financial Aid

• Oregon resident tuition ~$12,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$34,000/year (relatively affordable for a major research university)
• WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) – 150% of resident tuition for Western state students
• OSU Provost’s Scholarships and other merit awards
• Hatfield-specific fellowships
• Strong value proposition: World-class marine science at a public university price

Notable Comments

OSU is arguably the best value in marine biology education in the US: a flagship marine program at public university tuition. Hatfield Marine Science Center is the most comprehensive multi-agency marine research facility on the US West Coast.

Overview

UH Manoa offers unique access to tropical marine ecosystems, coral reefs, deep ocean, and the most isolated island chain in the world. The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) and the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) are the primary marine science units. Undergraduate marine biology is offered through the Biology department.

Key Faculty

• Ruth Gates (deceased 2018, but her legacy and lab continue) – Coral resilience, “super corals” for reef restoration. The Ruth Gates legacy continues through the Gates Coral Lab.
• Mark Hixon – Coral reef fish ecology, marine reserves, predator-prey dynamics (moved from OSU)
• Brian Bowen – Marine biogeography, phylogeography of reef fishes, Hawaiian biodiversity
• Robert Toonen – Marine invertebrate ecology, population genetics, conservation genetics
• Margaret McManus – Biological-physical interactions, thin layers, plankton ecology
• Craig Smith – Deep-sea ecology, whale falls, abyssal ecosystems
• Amy Moran – Marine invertebrate physiology, egg size evolution, polar and tropical biology
• Erik Franklin – Coral reef ecology, marine spatial planning, fisheries

Major Labs & Centers

• Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) – Located on Coconut Island (Moku o Lo’e) in Kaneohe Bay. One of the most famous marine labs in the world.
• SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology) – Umbrella school
• Kewalo Marine Laboratory – Developmental biology of marine invertebrates
• Pacific Biosciences Research Center
• Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE)
• Coral Reef Ecology Lab

Government Connections

• NOAA: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) is in Honolulu. NOAA Inouye Regional Center on Ford Island. Deep connections for Pacific island fisheries and protected species.
• USFWS: Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office; Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument research
• NSF: Major funding for HIMB and SOEST
• State of Hawai’i DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources): Reef management, fisheries
• Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument: One of the world’s largest marine protected areas; UH researchers are heavily involved

Unique Facilities

• HIMB on Coconut Island – Marine lab with coral nurseries, flowing seawater, boat access to Kaneohe Bay and open ocean
• R/V Ka’imikai-O-Kanaloa and other research vessels
• Kaneohe Bay – Fringing coral reef system directly accessible; one of the most studied reef systems
• Access to Papahanaumokuakea and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
• Deep-sea access – Hawaii sits in the deep Pacific; seamounts, abyssal plains accessible

Undergraduate Research

• Marine biology undergraduate program through Biology
• HIMB undergraduate internships
• Pacific Internship Program for Exploring Science (PIPES)
• UROP at UH Manoa
• Global environmental science major available

Financial Aid

• Hawai’i resident tuition ~$12,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$38,000/year
• WUE available for some Western states
• SOEST-specific scholarships
• NSF REU funding at HIMB
• Cost of living in Honolulu is very high – factor this in

Overview

UCSB is a marine science powerhouse. The campus is literally on the coast, on cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The Marine Science Institute (MSI), the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB), and the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management make this one of the most comprehensive marine science campuses in the world.

Key Faculty

• Steven Gaines – Marine ecology, marine reserves, larval dispersal. Dean of the Bren School. His work on marine reserves design has been globally influential.
• Robert Warner (emeritus but hugely influential) – Reef fish ecology, sex change in fishes, marine reserves
• Jennifer Caselle – Marine community ecology, Channel Islands monitoring, kelp forest ecology. Leads the PISCO kelp forest monitoring in the Channel Islands.
• Deron Burkepile – Coral reef ecology, herbivory, nutrient dynamics, reef resilience
• Gretchen Hofmann – Marine physiological ecology, ocean acidification effects on sea urchins and other calcifiers
• Douglas McCauley – Marine megafauna ecology, ocean defaunation, marine conservation
• Hillary Young – Community ecology, rewilding, cascading effects of defaunation
• Todd Oakley – Evolutionary biology, bioluminescence, phylogenetics of marine organisms
• Craig Carlson – Microbial oceanography, dissolved organic carbon cycling
• Mark Brzezinski – Phytoplankton ecology, silica cycling, Southern Ocean biology
• Holly Moeller – Mixotrophy, plankton ecology, climate-biology interactions

Major Labs & Centers

• Marine Science Institute (MSI) – One of the largest organized research units at UCSB, with dozens of affiliated faculty
• PISCO (Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans) – UCSB is a lead institution for this multi-site rocky intertidal and kelp forest monitoring network
• Santa Barbara Coastal LTER – NSF Long-Term Ecological Research site
• National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) – Located in downtown Santa Barbara; global center for ecological data synthesis (this is huge for ecology careers)
• Bren School of Environmental Science & Management – Top-ranked environmental policy program
• Ocean & Coastal Policy Center

Government Connections

• NSF: Santa Barbara Coastal LTER, PISCO, NCEAS, and numerous individual grants
• Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary: UCSB is the primary research institution for the Channel Islands; long-term monitoring since the 1980s
• NOAA: Channel Islands NMS partnerships, fisheries research
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife: MPA monitoring
• NPS (National Park Service): Channel Islands NP research permits and partnerships

Unique Facilities

• Campus on the coast – Research facilities literally adjacent to the ocean, rocky intertidal, and kelp forests
• MSI Research Facilities – Flowing seawater labs, experimental mesocosms
• Isla Vista/Campus Point/Coal Oil Point – UC Natural Reserve on campus for marine research
• Channel Islands access – Short boat ride to one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world
• Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve – UC Reserve for estuarine research
• Sedgwick Reserve – UC Reserve for terrestrial ecology (wildlife biology)
• NCEAS – Though primarily for visiting scientists, UCSB undergrads benefit from the intellectual community

Undergraduate Research

• EEMB major (Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology) – the primary marine biology undergraduate track
• Aquatic Biology major also available
• Undergraduate research in EEMB labs – Very accessible; UCSB has a strong culture of undergraduate research
• UCSB URCA (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities) grants
• PISCO monitoring – Undergrads can participate in long-term monitoring of kelp forests and intertidal areas
• Senior thesis widely available

Financial Aid

• California resident tuition ~$14,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$46,000/year
• Regents Scholarship available
• UC system need-based aid
• EEMB and MSI-specific research fellowships
• WUE not available (UC system does not participate)

Overview

UCSC has exceptional marine science, particularly in marine mammal research, ocean health, and ecology. The Long Marine Laboratory and the Institute of Marine Sciences are the hubs. The campus overlooks Monterey Bay, providing access to one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. UCSC offers marine biology as an undergraduate major.

Key Faculty

• Terrie Williams – Marine mammal physiology, energetics. World expert on diving physiology of marine mammals. Studies sea otters, dolphins, whales.
• Dan Costa – Marine mammal diving ecology, elephant seal physiology, foraging ecology. Pioneer of satellite-tracked marine mammals.
• Pete Raimondi – Rocky intertidal ecology, sea star wasting disease, PISCO leadership, MPA monitoring
• Mark Carr – Kelp forest ecology, marine reserves, recruitment ecology
• Adina Paytan – Chemical oceanography, marine biogeochemistry
• Raphael Kudela – Harmful algal blooms, phytoplankton ecology, ocean health
• Baldo Marinovic – Marine invertebrate zoology, krill ecology
• Michael Beck – Coastal resilience, nature-based solutions (also with The Nature Conservancy)
• Chris Wilmers – Wildlife ecology, pumas, movement ecology (relevant for wildlife biology track)
• Gage Dayton – Herpetology, conservation biology

Major Labs & Centers

• Long Marine Lab / Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Major marine research station on the coast
• Institute of Marine Sciences – Umbrella research institute
• PISCO – UCSC is a core PISCO institution
• Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Laboratory – Studies sea lion and seal cognition
• Marine Mammal Physiology Lab (Terrie Williams)
• Center for Coastal Marine Sciences
• UCSC Genomics Institute – For marine genomics work

Government Connections

• NOAA: Southwest Fisheries Science Center (Santa Cruz Lab) is on campus. One of the closest NOAA-university partnerships anywhere.
• NSF: PISCO, individual grants
• CDFW: MPA monitoring through PISCO
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Adjacent to UCSC research areas

Unique Facilities

• Long Marine Lab – Flowing seawater labs, marine mammal pools, research boats
• Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Public outreach (undergrad employment opportunities)
• Marine mammal pools – Trained dolphins and sea lions for research
• Monterey Bay proximity – Access to kelp forests, deep canyon, upwelling zone
• Younger Lagoon Reserve – UC Reserve on the Long Marine Lab campus
• Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History

Undergraduate Research

• Marine Biology B.S. – Dedicated undergraduate major
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology major also available
• Long Marine Lab undergraduate research – Very accessible
• UCSC STEM Diversity programs – Research funding for underrepresented students
• Senior thesis in marine biology
• Volunteer opportunities at Long Marine Lab and Seymour Center

Financial Aid

• California resident tuition ~$14,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$44,000/year
• UC system need-based aid
• Regents Scholarship
• Chancellor’s and Dean’s scholarships
• UCSC is generally more affordable than UCSD or UCSB for cost of living

Overview

UF is the largest university in the US by enrollment and has robust marine and wildlife biology programs. The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience are key units. UF is also home to the Florida Museum of Natural History. For marine science, UF has the Whitney Lab on the Atlantic coast (Marineland, FL) and involvement with the Florida Keys marine ecosystems.

Key Faculty

• Mark Martindale – Developmental biology of marine invertebrates, ctenophores, evolution of body plans (Whitney Lab)
• Gustav Paulay – Marine invertebrate biodiversity, biogeography, Indo-Pacific systematics (Florida Museum)
• Leonid Moroz – Neurobiology of marine organisms, ctenophore genomics (Whitney Lab)
• Madan Oli – Wildlife population ecology, carnivore conservation
• Robert Fletcher – Landscape ecology, bird conservation, movement ecology
• Kathryn Sieving – Avian ecology, conservation behavior
• Andrea Dutton – Sea level change, paleoclimate
• Thomas Frazer – Aquatic ecology, fisheries, springs ecology (former dean)
• Craig Osenberg – Marine and freshwater community ecology

Major Labs & Centers

• Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience – Research station in Marineland, FL on the Atlantic coast
• Florida Museum of Natural History – One of the top 10 natural history museums in the US; major marine collections
• UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) – Houses wildlife ecology
• School of Natural Resources and Environment
• Seahorse Key Marine Lab – UF field station in the Gulf of Mexico

Government Connections

• USFWS: Very strong connections through Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): Extensive partnerships; many UF grads work at FWC
• NSF: Funding for Whitney Lab and ecology research
• NOAA: Connections through fisheries and coral reef research
• NPS: Partnerships with Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks
• USGS: Cooperative Research Units connections

Unique Facilities

• Whitney Lab – Atlantic coast marine station with flowing seawater, aquarium facilities
• Seahorse Key Marine Lab – Gulf coast field station on a wildlife refuge island
• Florida Museum of Natural History – Massive collections
• UF Natural Area Teaching Lab – 60-acre campus natural area
• Access to Florida’s diverse ecosystems – Coral reefs, mangroves, springs, Everglades, salt marshes, pine flatwoods

Undergraduate Research

• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation B.S. – Well-established program
• Zoology B.S. with marine emphasis possible
• UF University Scholars Program – Undergraduate research funding
• Whitney Lab summer internships
• Study abroad at marine field stations
• Very large program = many lab options but also competition for spots

Financial Aid

• Florida resident tuition ~$6,400/year (one of the best values in higher education)
• Out-of-state tuition ~$28,600/year
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship for Florida residents
• UF merit scholarships: Lombardi, Stamps, Presidential
• Relatively affordable even for out-of-state
• Strong value proposition for in-state students

Overview

Cornell has exceptional ecology and evolutionary biology programs, with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology being one of the strongest in the world. For marine biology specifically, Cornell’s Shoals Marine Laboratory (shared with University of New Hampshire) on Appledore Island in the Isles of Shoals provides field experience. The Lab of Ornithology is world-famous for bird research (relevant for wildlife biology). Cornell is also a land-grant institution with strong natural resources programs.

Key Faculty

• Drew Harvell – Marine disease ecology, coral disease, climate change and disease. Led groundbreaking work on sea star wasting disease and ocean warming’s effects on marine disease.
• Alex Flecker – Aquatic ecology, freshwater biodiversity, tropical streams
• Amy McCune – Fish evolution, ichthyology
• Irby Lovette – Avian evolution, ornithology (Lab of Ornithology)
• Amanda Rodewald – Avian ecology, conservation biology (Lab of Ornithology)
• Kern Reeve – Social behavior, evolutionary ecology
• Brian Lazzaro – Evolutionary genetics
• Kelly Zamudio – Herpetology, population genetics, amphibian ecology

Major Labs & Centers

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology – World-famous. eBird, citizen science, bird conservation research. Arguably the most important ornithological research center in the world.
• Shoals Marine Laboratory – Summer field station on Appledore Island, Gulf of Maine
• Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates – Major natural history collection
• Atkinson Center for Sustainability (now Cornell Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future)
• Cornell Biological Field Station – Oneida Lake freshwater ecology
• Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Government Connections

• USFWS: Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell
• NSF: Major grant funding for EEB research
• USGS: Cooperative research
• New York DEC: Wildlife partnerships
• NOAA: Some fisheries connections

Unique Facilities

• Shoals Marine Laboratory – Island marine station in the Gulf of Maine; summer courses and research
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology – State-of-the-art building with recording studios, Macaulay Library of natural sounds
• Cornell Museum of Vertebrates
• Sapsucker Woods – 220-acre sanctuary around the Lab of Ornithology
• Cornell Botanic Gardens – 4,300 acres of natural areas

Undergraduate Research

• Biology and Society or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology concentrations available
• Shoals Marine Lab summer courses – Immersive field courses on the island
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology internships and volunteer positions
• Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholars
• Cornell Undergraduate Research Board grants
• Senior honors thesis in EEB

Financial Aid

• Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
• Need-blind for US students
• Cornell offers free tuition for families earning under $75,000 (verify current threshold)
• CALS (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) is a contract college with NY state – NY residents get lower tuition in CALS
• Very generous aid makes Cornell affordable for most admitted students
• Admission competitive (~8–10% acceptance rate)

Overview

UC Davis has world-class programs in ecology, wildlife biology, and marine/coastal science. The Bodega Marine Laboratory on the Sonoma coast is a premier marine research station. The Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and the Department of Evolution and Ecology are the primary homes. UC Davis is the most wildlife-biology-oriented UC campus.

Key Faculty

• Eric Sanford – Rocky intertidal ecology, climate change effects on marine communities, sea star biology (Bodega Marine Lab)
• Brian Gaylord – Biophysics, biomechanics of marine organisms, wave forces on organisms
• John Stachowicz – Marine community ecology, biodiversity, seagrass ecosystems
• Susan Williams (deceased 2018, but her Bodega Marine Lab legacy continues) – Seagrass ecology, marine conservation
• Tien-Chieh Hung – Fish conservation, endangered species propagation
• Andrew Sih – Animal behavior, behavioral ecology, invasion biology
• Marcel Holyoak – Spatial ecology, metapopulation dynamics
• Dirk Van Vuren – Wildlife ecology, mammalian ecology
• Andrea Schreier – Conservation genetics, sturgeon genetics
• Lisa Tell – Wildlife health, avian disease
• Sarah Yarnell – Freshwater ecology, river management

Major Labs & Centers

• Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) – Premier marine station on the Sonoma coast; part of UC Davis since 1966
• Bodega Marine Reserve – UC Natural Reserve adjacent to BML
• Wildlife Health Center – One of the leading wildlife health programs in the world
• Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture
• Tahoe Environmental Research Center
• John Muir Institute of the Environment

Government Connections

• CDFW: Very strong connections; UC Davis trains more California state wildlife biologists than any other institution
• USFWS: Cooperative Research Unit nearby; endangered species work
• NOAA: Fisheries connections through salmon and sturgeon research
• UC Natural Reserve System: Multiple reserves managed through UC Davis
• USGS: Western Ecological Research Center partnerships

Unique Facilities

• Bodega Marine Laboratory – Coastal lab with flowing seawater, diving support, boats
• Bodega Marine Reserve – Pristine coastal habitat for research
• Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture – Fish propagation, aquaculture
• Wildlife Health Center – Veterinary-focused wildlife research (connected to the vet school)
• Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve – Terrestrial ecology
• UC Davis Raptor Center – Raptor rehabilitation and research
• McLaughlin Natural Reserve – Mining impact ecology

Undergraduate Research

• Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology B.S. – One of the most respected programs in the US
• Marine and Coastal Science B.S. – Relatively new but growing
• Evolution, Ecology, and Biodiversity B.S.
• Bodega Marine Lab summer courses – Field-intensive marine biology
• Undergraduate research in faculty labs very accessible
• UC Davis Undergraduate Research Center grants

Financial Aid

• California resident tuition ~$15,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$46,000/year
• UC system need-based aid
• Regents Scholarship
• UC Davis is in Davis, CA – relatively affordable cost of living compared to coastal UCs
• Strong value for California residents

Overview

Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) is a branch campus of Texas A&M focused entirely on marine and maritime studies. It sits on Galveston Island on the Gulf of Mexico. TAMUG offers Marine Biology, Marine Science, and Maritime programs. The main College Station campus also has strong wildlife biology through the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

Key Faculty

• Jay Rooker – Fisheries ecology, tuna ecology, otolith chemistry, Gulf of Mexico fisheries
• Antonietta Quigg – Phytoplankton ecology, harmful algal blooms, oil spill impacts
• Gil Rowe (emeritus) – Deep-sea ecology, benthic ecology
• Anja Schulze – Marine invertebrate biology, polychaete systematics
• Randall Davis – Marine mammal physiology, diving physiology
• Anna Armitage – Salt marsh and mangrove ecology, wetland restoration
• David Wells – Fisheries ecology, movement ecology of marine fish

Major Labs & Centers

• Texas A&M at Galveston campus – Entire campus is marine-focused
• Geochemical and Environmental Research Group (GERG) – Environmental chemistry, oil spill research
• Center for Texas Beaches and Shores – Coastal erosion, beach management
• Center for Coastal Studies
• Sea Life Facility – Marine animal care and research

Government Connections

• NOAA: Gulf of Mexico fisheries connections, Sea Grant program
• TPWD (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department): Extensive partnerships
• BOEM: Offshore energy research in the Gulf
• NOAA Fisheries (Galveston Lab): Southeast Fisheries Science Center – Galveston Lab nearby
• Texas General Land Office: Coastal management
• EPA: Gulf of Mexico environmental monitoring

Unique Facilities

• Oceanfront campus on Galveston Island
• Sea Life Facility – Marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation
• Research vessels for Gulf of Mexico work
• Gulf of Mexico access – Oil platforms, coral banks, fisheries
• Wetland Center – Salt marsh research

Undergraduate Research

• Marine Biology B.S. at Galveston campus
• Marine Fisheries B.S.
• Undergraduate research available in labs
• Sea turtle conservation volunteer and research opportunities
• Texas A&M Sea Grant student programs

Financial Aid

• Texas resident tuition ~$11,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$30,000/year
• Strong merit scholarships through Texas A&M system
• Relatively affordable
• Academic excellence scholarships

Overview

The College of Charleston, in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina, offers a unique marine biology program on the South Carolina coast. The Grice Marine Laboratory provides research facilities. The Fort Johnson Marine Science Complex, where Grice is located, also houses NOAA and SC DNR offices. It’s a smaller school with a dedicated undergraduate marine biology program.

Key Faculty

• Phil Weinbach – Marine biology education leadership
• Gorka Sancho – Fish ecology, fisheries biology, reef fish behavior
• Robert Podolsky – Invertebrate larval ecology, biomechanics
• Erik Sotka – Marine chemical ecology, seaweed-herbivore interactions, population genetics
• Aine Lawless – Coastal ecology, salt marsh ecology
• Courtney Murren – Evolutionary ecology, plant biology

Major Labs & Centers

• Grice Marine Laboratory – Located at Fort Johnson on James Island, Charleston Harbor
• Fort Johnson Marine Science Complex – Multi-agency campus with NOAA, SC DNR, and CofC
• Marine Genomics Laboratory

Government Connections

• NOAA: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is at Fort Johnson alongside Grice Marine Lab
• SC DNR (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources): Co-located at Fort Johnson
• NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory: Also at Fort Johnson – chemical analysis and marine biotoxin research

Unique Facilities

• Grice Marine Laboratory at Fort Johnson
• Charleston Harbor access – Estuarine ecosystems
• Fort Johnson campus shared with federal and state agencies
• Barrier island access for field research

Undergraduate Research

• Marine Biology B.S. – Dedicated program
• Fort Johnson internships with NOAA and SC DNR
• Small class sizes = good mentorship
• Research opportunities from sophomore year

Financial Aid

• South Carolina resident tuition ~$13,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$34,000/year
• Merit scholarships available
• Relatively affordable
• Good value for a dedicated marine biology undergrad program

Overview

UMaine is the flagship public university of Maine and has excellent marine science programs through the School of Marine Sciences and the Darling Marine Center. Maine’s cold-water marine ecosystems (lobster, seabird, whale habitat) provide unique research opportunities. UMaine is heavily involved in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem research.

Key Faculty

• Yong Chen – Fisheries population dynamics, lobster fisheries, stock assessment (now at Stony Brook, but UMaine legacy)
• Robert Steneck – Kelp forest ecology, lobster ecology, coral reef ecology. One of the world’s experts on lobster population dynamics and kelp forests.
• Damian Brady – Aquaculture, shellfish biology, coastal eutrophication
• Rhian Waller – Deep-sea coral ecology, cold-water coral conservation
• Heather Hamlin – Marine invertebrate physiology, endocrine disruption
• William Ellis – Marine mammal energetics

Major Labs & Centers

• Darling Marine Center (DMC) – Marine research station in Walpole, Maine on the Damariscotta River estuary
• Aquaculture Research Institute – Major aquaculture center (lobster, sea scallop, seaweed)
• School of Marine Sciences – Comprehensive marine program
• Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) – Partner institution in Portland
• Cooperative Extension Sea Grant

Government Connections

• NOAA: Gulf of Maine Research connections; Northeast Fisheries Science Center partnerships
• NSF: EPSCoR funding for Maine marine research
• Maine Department of Marine Resources: Very close relationship; lobster fishery management
• USFWS: Seabird and wildlife research (Maine coast is critical seabird habitat)

Unique Facilities

• Darling Marine Center – Flowing seawater labs, boat access, diving support on the Maine coast
• Aquaculture Research Center – Finfish, shellfish, seaweed research
• Gulf of Maine access – Lobster, whales, seabirds, cold-water corals
• Maine coast islands – Seabird nesting colonies (puffins, terns) accessible for research

Financial Aid

• Maine resident tuition ~$12,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$35,000/year
• New England Regional Student Program (RSP) – reduced rate for New England students
• Flagship Match program – may match in-state tuition of other flagships
• Merit scholarships available
• Very affordable for in-state/New England

Overview

Stony Brook, part of the State University of New York system, has a strong School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). SoMAS is located partly on the main campus and partly at the Southampton Marine Station. Long Island’s position between Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean provides diverse marine habitats.

Key Faculty

• Demian Chapman – Shark conservation, genetics, illegal wildlife trade (formerly at FIU)
• Heather Lynch – Quantitative ecology, penguin population monitoring, remote sensing
• Robert Cerrato – Benthic ecology, invertebrate biology
• Ellen Pikitch – Fisheries management, shark conservation, ecosystem-based management
• Janet Nye – Fisheries ecology, climate effects on fish populations
• Stephen Baines – Biogeochemistry, trace elements in marine ecosystems
• Lesley Thorne – Marine mammal ecology, seabird ecology, spatial ecology

Major Labs & Centers

• School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS)
• Institute for Ocean Conservation Science
• Southampton Marine Station – Field station on the eastern end of Long Island
• Living Marine Resources Institute
• Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean access

Government Connections

• NOAA: Fisheries connections, Long Island Sound restoration
• NSF: Research funding
• NYS DEC: Wildlife and fisheries partnerships
• EPA: Long Island Sound study

Unique Facilities

• Southampton Marine Station – Coastal research station
• Flax Pond Marine Lab – Salt marsh research facility
• Long Island Sound and Atlantic access
• Stony Brook Southampton campus – Environmental studies

Financial Aid

• New York resident tuition ~$7,000/year (SUNY pricing – exceptional value)
• Out-of-state tuition ~$25,000/year
• One of the best values in marine science education nationally
• Merit scholarships available through SUNY

Overview

BU’s Marine Program (BUMP) operates out of the Department of Biology. BU does not have a standalone marine biology major, but biology students can focus on marine biology through coursework and research. BU’s main marine facility is the BU Marine Program facility and access to the New England coast. Students can also do semester programs at Woods Hole (BU has a marine semester at MBL).

Key Faculty

• Les Kaufman – Marine conservation, coral reef ecology, Gulf of Maine. Co-founder of Conservation International’s marine program.
• Peter Buston – Behavioral ecology of coral reef fishes, cooperation, social organization in anemonefishes
• Robinson “Wally” Fulweiler – Biogeochemistry, nitrogen cycling, coastal ecosystems
• Sean Mullen – Evolutionary biology, speciation (broader biology)

Unique Aspects

• BU Marine Semester – Semester at Woods Hole through MBL (Marine Biological Laboratory)
• Strong humanities + science combination possible at BU
• Boston location provides access to New England Aquarium internships
• Relatively small marine program = more personal attention

Financial Aid

• Private university: Tuition ~$62,000/year
• BU offers merit and need-based aid
• Trustee Scholarships (full tuition)
• Financial aid can be competitive with public schools for high-need families
• Research funding available through BU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Overview

UNCW has a dedicated marine biology program, one of the few in the southeast. The Center for Marine Science (CMS) is a major coastal research facility. The Wilmington campus is near the coast with easy access to barrier islands, estuaries, and the Gulf Stream.

Key Faculty

• Steve Ross – Deep-sea coral ecology, fish ecology, habitat characterization
• Wilson Freshwater – Algal systematics, molecular ecology
• Ann Pabst – Marine mammal biology, cetacean anatomy and physiology
• William McLellan – Marine mammal stranding response, cetacean biology
• D. Wilson Freshwater – Marine algal biology
• Troy Alphin – Benthic ecology, environmental assessment

Major Labs & Centers

• Center for Marine Science – State-of-the-art research facility
• NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research (partnership)
• Marine Mammal Stranding Program – One of the most active on the East Coast
• Benthic Ecology Lab

Government Connections

• NOAA: NOAA Beaufort Lab partnerships, National Undersea Research Center was formerly at UNCW
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries
• USFWS: Sea turtle and coastal habitat research
• NSF: Research grants

Unique Facilities

• Center for Marine Science on the Intracoastal Waterway
• Research vessels for offshore work
• Marine mammal stranding network resources
• Barrier island access (Masonboro Island Reserve nearby)

Financial Aid

• North Carolina resident tuition ~$7,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$21,000/year
• Very affordable
• Marine biology-specific scholarships
• Academic merit scholarships

Overview

CSUMB is located on former Fort Ord, adjacent to Monterey Bay. The Marine Science program benefits enormously from proximity to Monterey Bay (one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world), Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (a multi-campus CSU research center), MBARI, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Key Faculty

• Faculty at CSUMB Marine Science tend to be more teaching-focused than the research universities above, but faculty at Moss Landing Marine Labs (MLML) are research-active
• MLML faculty include researchers in marine mammals, fish biology, benthic ecology, phytoplankton, invertebrates, and marine geology
• Corey Garza (CSUMB) – Marine ecology, landscape ecology, environmental justice in coastal communities
• Rikk Kvitek (CSUMB) – Seafloor mapping, marine habitat characterization

Unique Aspects

• Moss Landing Marine Laboratories – CSUMB students can take courses and do research at this CSU marine lab
• Monterey Bay location – Access to kelp forests, deep canyon, upwelling, marine mammals
• Monterey Bay Aquarium proximity – Internships, employment
• MBARI proximity – Research volunteer opportunities
• Small campus, personal attention
• Most affordable option on this list

Financial Aid

• California resident tuition ~$7,000/year
• Out-of-state tuition ~$19,000/year
• Exceptionally affordable
• CSU system financial aid
• Great value for California residents wanting marine biology