Institute of Marine Science

The Institute of Marine Science conducts marine science studies in the world's oceans, with special emphasis on arctic and Pacific subarctic waters.

The faculty provide expertise in marine biology, biological oceanography, physical, chemical and geological oceanography. Instruction is carried out through the graduate program in marine sciences and limnology in the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, where degrees are offered at the master's and doctoral levels in various fields of marine science.

Research efforts cover a wide range of disciplines, and some projects are components of large national and international cooperative programs. Institute of Marine Science researchers also participate actively in the broad marine science community, serving on a variety of national and international steering committees, boards, panels and advisory committees.

Research facilities include modern laboratories on the Fairbanks campus; the Seward Marine Center, a major coastal facility in Seward; and the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory, a marine biology field station on Kachemak Bay. The Seward Marine Center supports a high-quality seawater system and excellent biological and chemical laboratories. The Alaska SeaLife Center, a private state-of-the-art mammal and bird research and exhibition facility adjacent to the Seward Marine Center, also offers outstanding research facilities.

Institute of Marine Science research programs include the Virtual Tsunami Center; Alaska Natural Geography in Shore Areas, Census of Marine Life; Alaska Ocean Observing System; GAK1, Gulf of Alaska CTD Time Series; GLOBEC, Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics; and NEWNET/ORION, a radiation and climatological monitoring program through autonomous stations at Fairbanks, Seward, Nome, Kotzebue, Point Hope and Barrow. Laboratories and specialists cover areas including acoustics; algae, biological, chemical, fisheries, and geological oceanography; marine biology; mammals; pathology and ecosystems; remote sensing; seagrass studies; and underwater instrumentation.

The main offices, laboratories and computer facilities of IMS are located in the William A. O'Neill, Laurence Irving and Arctic Health Research buildings on the west ridge of the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. For more information, visit www.ims.uaf.edu or call 907-474-7229.