Marine science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington

The Center for Marine Science Research at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is dedicated to providing an environment that fosters a multidisciplinary approach to questions in basic marine research. The mission of the center is to promote basic scientific and applied research in the fields of oceanography, marine mammal biology, coastal and wetland studies, marine geology, marine biomedical and environmental physiology, and marine biotechnology and aquaculture. The Center fosters research programs of the highest quality and thereby enhances the educational experience in marine science provided by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington for both undergraduate and graduate students in marine science. A new Center for Marine Science Research is under construction on the Intracoastal Waterway. The planned building will have 4,372 net square meters (47,000 square feet) of marine education and research space. The gross area including the saltwater facility is 6,511 square meters (70,000 square feet). A 274 meter (900 foot) pier with floating docks is already in place and can accommodate a large research vessel (20 to 25 meters) and several small ones. The construction project is expected to be completed by December of 1998. The new Center will host several state agencies and will provide space and facilities for visiting scientists. Support facilities will include: an 18 meter research vessel two 9 meter research vessels, eight smaller vessels (ranging from 4 to 6 meters), instrument shop, diving locker, engineering/logistic support personnel and salt water plant with unfiltered, filtered and treated sea water. The Center will act as a focal point for marine science research and education programs on the southeast Atlantic coast.