The School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering is the University of New Hampshire’s first "interdisciplinary school," designed to address today’s highly complex ocean and coastal challenges through integrated graduate education, research and engagement. As such, it serves as an interdisciplinary nexus for marine science and ocean engineering teaching and research across the university.
Combining traditional faculty and program strengths in Oceanography, Marine Biology and Ocean Engineering with an emerging Marine Policy focus, the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering provides its students with the scientific underpinnings of these disciplines while training them to contribute to and engage in scientifically-informed policy and resource management.
A core tenet of the School is connecting societal need to the education and research mission of the programs. This is accomplished through both individual inquiry-based research and the development of large integrative programs such as the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, the New Hampshire Sea Grant College Program, Coastal Response Research Center and the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership that provide strong connections to federal, state and private sector partners.
While the faculty and programs of the School have national and international reach, they are fully engaged in regional issues within the Gulf of Maine and with state and local needs. These efforts are supported through specialized facilities – including the Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, the Judd Gregg Marine Science Complex Pier and Laboratory Facilities and the Shoals Marine Laboratory – and a diverse fleet of research vessels and specialized research equipment.
