Marine Science, BA

Stockton's Marine Science (MARS) program encompasses two general areas of study: Marine Biology and Oceanography. The program is interdisciplinary and requires student competence in several areas of science. A number of field and laboratory courses, seminars, independent studies, internships, and research opportunities which emphasize experiential learning are offered.

Stockton University is one of only a few undergraduate institutions in the U.S. that offers a degree program in Marine Science with a dedicated, easily accessible field facility (Stockton Marine Field Station).  Students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty to design and implement research projects.  Students are  encouraged to present results at the NAMS Undergraduate Research Symposium and regional conferences. 

About the Program

Mission Vision

Stockton University’s Marine Science Program is dedicated to undergraduate experiences within a coastal environment, to form ocean-literate citizens.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Marine Science Program at Stockton University is to promote curiosity and critical thinking through quality education and hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom.  Students will develop intellectually, personally and professionally within the small class setting, using cutting edge technology to apply themselves to real-life scenarios within the marine biology and oceanography career fields.

Program Features

• Small, field-oriented course sections taught primarily by full-time faculty (not by graduate assistants). 
• A dedicated, easily accessible Marine Field Station focused on undergraduate education and research.
• Every student is assigned a faculty member in the program as their academic advisor (preceptor).
• Numerous field-related volunteer, internship, employment opportunities in the area.
• The Environmental Studies and Marine Science programs were selected by Peterson's Guides and the Alliance for Environmental Education for inclusion in Education for the Earth: A Guide to Top Environmental Studies Programs.

Located on an eight-acre waterfront site in the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Stockton University Marine Field Station makes available the facilities, research vessels, sampling equipment, and staff to provide Stockton students with hands-on learning experiences in a marine environment second to none. The Field Station offers several teaching and research laboratories and offices, five research vessels ranging in size from 16’ – 36’, various marine sampling equipment, general-use laboratory equipment, state-of-the-art water sampling equipment and numerous marine technology instruments, including a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) multibeam sonar, side scan sonar, magnetometer, mobile LiDAR, and Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. Undergraduate students engaged in Marine Science and Marine Science-related courses (Biology, Environmental Science, Geology) access the facility regularly throughout their academic career. All students are encouraged to further utilize the facility for independent study projects and to become part of the numerous faculty and staff-led research teams. There are many opportunities to carry out Marine Science research at the undergraduate level at Stockton and at State and Federal agencies and institutions nearby. The Field Station is also home to the Coastal Research Center, a contract and grant-funded institute focused on research and monitoring of New Jersey’s coastal zone issues ranging from beach access, inlet dynamics, and pre and post-storm surveys of coastal beaches.

Both the Field Station and the Coastal Research Center provide part-time work and volunteer opportunities for MARS students, as do numerous local agencies. Students may propose their own field, laboratory, or library research projects to prospective faculty sponsors, and/or work on suitable internships. Student interns have been placed locally in field/laboratory positions, including at the Adventure Aquarium, Atlantic City Aquarium, Rutgers Field Stations (Tuckerton, Port Norris, Cape May), Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Brigantine Marine Mammal Stranding Center, and at area shellfish hatcheries. Through the Washington Internship program, MARS majors have been placed at the National Aquarium, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institute/Natural History Museum.

For research projects that necessitate the processing of larger quantities of numerical data, students can make use of the University’s Computer Center, which is tied into the statewide Educational Computer Network. Stockton is a member of the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium and has access to Consortium marine stations, boats, and equipment. Stockton students can take, with the approval of the MARS program, summer courses at the NJMSC facilities at Sandy Hook.