The Department of Geological, Environmental and Marine Sciences at ECSU offer a B.S. Degree in Marine Environmental Science with concentrations in the following areas:
 

Marine Biology  Marine Chemistry  Marine Geology

The degree is open to all students interested in the marine environment, and in conjunction with disciplines such as: biology, chemistry, earth and marine sciences, physics and coastal management.

A set of core courses required of all majors will be interdisciplinary in nature so as to cover the broad spectrum of the marine sciences.  Students can opt for one of the three concentrations  offered.

The program is designed to prepare graduates in the marine sciences to go directly into employment with local, state, and federal agencies and the private sector or into a graduate program in fields such as:  Coastal Management, Marine Biology, Oceanography, Sedimentary Geology, and Climatology with East Carolina University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State, UNC - Wilmington and other institutions throughout the nation.  Employment opportunities are excellent in the areas of coastal planning, biological, physical and geological sciences in coastal and marine facilities and planning agencies.

FACILITIES

 The program will be housed in the new four story Science Complex building with excellent facilities.  Additional courses, lab and research opportunities are available at the other marine science program at other UNC System campuses and Duke University.  Opportunities for internship will be available through various state and federal agencies and several universities in the state and in Virginia.  Students will enjoy the advantage of close proximity to the  wetlands, estuarine and shoreline field environments.  Access to a pristine wetlands environment is available through the ECSU Dismal Swamp property for research and other activities.  A half mile long boardwalk with an elevated observation deck was constructed recently to facilitate access, research, and other activities.

THE SETTING

 Northeastern North Carolina's proximity to wetlands, the Albemarle, Currituck and Pamlico Sounds and their drainage systems and the Outer Banks provides both the faculty and students an excellent opportunity  to confront a number of problems in  the coastal and wetland regions of North Carolina.  Foremost is the multiple adverse effects of pollution of our aquatic environment which includes sounds, rivers, wetlands and coastal areas. Beach erosion is causing considerable damage to the beach property in the area and an understanding of the natural geological causes to control such erosional processes has become essential.

There is also a growing concern on the impact of commercial development  on the extensive wetlands of the area. Basic understanding of the geological, biological and chemical processes is imperative to try to resolve the conflicts between economic development and saving the environment.

  In addition to the local needs, there is a national and global need for marine scientists.  More than one third of the world's hydrocarbon resources now come from offshore environment and the percentage continues to grow.  Large deposits of economic minerals of the future most likely will come from localized areas on ocean floors.  Oceans play a major role in influencing the global climate and as the issue of global warming heats up, the understanding of the marine environment becomes essential.

For Additional Information:
 

TELE:  (252) 335-3375  FAX:   (252) 335-3465  E-mail: fcsanjuan@mail.ecsu.edu  or write to the:      Department of Geological, Environmental & Marine Sciences     Campus Box 971     Elizabeth City State University     Elizabeth City, NC 27909

ECSU is commited to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or handicap.