The USF CMS is one of the top 10 marine science programs in the country. (Academic
Analytics)
Our 11-acre waterfront campus is the heart of one of the largest marine science hubs in the country that also includes
the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, the NOAA National Marine
Fisheries Service, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the Florida Institute
of Oceanography, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, US Coast Guard, and the Maritime &
Defense Technology Hub.
We have been a leader in innovative and cross-disciplinary oceanographic research
and resource management, graduate education, and public outreach for more than 50
years.
We offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Marine Science, with concentrations in Biological Oceanography, Physical
Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Geological Oceanography, Interdisciplinary, and
Marine Resource Assessment.
The USF CMS has been the lead institution of global research program developed in
response to the largest marine oil spill in history.
The USF CMS is a major research and economic engine for the St. Petersburg Innovation
District, a regional center of excellence in education, marine science, healthcare,
and entrepreneurship.
The USF CMS is a recognized leader in the public understanding of science. We are
proud of our strong suite of long-running education outreach programs, including the Oceanography Camp for Girls, teacher training programs, the St. Petersburg Science Festival, the National Ocean
Science Bowl for High School students, and more.
Students and Faculty
The USF CMS is proud of its $20 million endowment, which supports more than 26 student
fellowships ($10-25K/year). Most students receive some kind of financial support from
fellowships, grant funding as a research assistant, or college funding as a teaching
assistant.
We appoint ~50 Graduate Assistants every year.
More than 85% of CMS students find employment in their field of training.
Our faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting the needs of our students, who enjoy
a culture of community and support. We have a 4:1 student to faculty ratio (25 faculty,
100 students).
Our student body publishes nearly 45 publications every year and typically brings
in over $200,000 in research support through competitive proposals to federal, state,
and other national and local organizations. • The USF CMS provides robust training and professional development opportunities
in science communication, teaching, and outreach.
Our highly productive, award-winning faculty includes members of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of
Inventors, American Geophysical Union, and more.
We offer students several “add-on” educational opportunities including graduate certificate
programs in Marine Science Education, Port Sustainability / Coastal Sustainability (coming soon).
Latest student data:
62% Doctoral
38% Master’s
69% Female
31% Male
15% International
18% Underrepresented Minorities (self-identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx,
American Indian or Alaska Native)
