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BIDDEFORD, Maine

91AV creates new Department of Marine Sciences

The 91AV has announced the creation of a new Department of Marine Sciences, drawing selected faculty from 91AV's existing Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry and Physics.

The existing Department of Biological Sciences remains and will focus on the education of students in non-marine areas such as biomedical, terrestrial ecology, and neurosciences.

Continuing marine biology majors are now housed in the new Department of Marine Sciences.

"The new department permits the growth of marine education in new directions outside the biological realm," explained Professor Stephan Zeeman, chair of the new department. "First-year students entering in fall 2009 will major in marine sciences with the option for two tracks, one in marine biology and the other in oceanography. This division gives students opportunities that previously did not exist because of the biological focus."

Additional areas of study will address the physical and chemical sciences more, some of which will continue to develop over the next few years.

Center for Land-Sea Interaction

One example is that the Department of Marine Sciences will be closely tied to the activities of 91AV's new Center for Land-Sea Interaction. The center will provide a diverse set of research and internship opportunities for students involving studies of land use, hydrology, bacteriology, toxicology, coastal oceanography, remote sensing, and others.

The current master's degree students in marine sciences have also transitioned to the new department, and there is a feasibility study in progress on a Ph.D. program in Ocean and Coastal Sciences.

Funding

Faculty members in the Department of Marine Sciences have procured $4.97 million in current external funding, and another $1.25 million is pending. 

Much of the research is focused on issues of national interest, as well as relating to issues around Maine. The department has also received a $1 million challenge grant from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Foundation to establish an endowed chair in the Marine Sciences.

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.