Mission Statement

The Department of Marine Sciences shares the University’s strong commitment to research, teaching and public service. In practical terms we strive to describe, understand, and predict the interactive processes that regulate marine systems and connect these to the other components of the Earth System, to quantify change in marine systems and assess its consequences for humans and other organisms, and to inform the decisions of policy makers, legislators and the people of North Carolina to achieve optimal protection for and utilization of our marine resources. To achieve this mission, we carry out field-based observational work and innovative modeling and laboratory studies, all of which involve undergraduate and graduate students as integral members of our research teams.

Diversity Statement: The Department of Marine Sciences supports the University’s core values encouraging diversity and equal educational and employment opportunities throughout the University community. These values are articulated in the University’s non-discrimination policy and by the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

In response to recent actions by the North Carolina legislature the Marine Sciences Program has drafted and endorsed a Diversity Affirmation Statement.