The Marine and Environmental Sciences (MES) major stresses understanding of the complex relationships between humans and the land, oceans and atmosphere.

Importantly, this program is not simply marine biology. Rather, MES provides a technical, multi-disciplinary education closely aligned with Coast Guard missions by integrating:

• oceanography
• chemistry
• biology

MES involves considerable fieldwork, often aboard the 30- foot Coast Guard research vessel dedicated to the major and in laboratories with research-grade equipment.Extensive use is made of the Thames River estuary for field studies and experiments.

Three areas of specialization are offered, and the relatively high number of electives enables MES majors to select coursework and independent research that address their particular interests.