Marine Science

(Top row, L-R) Dr. M. Sullivan, Dr. E. Lacey, Dr. S. Moskalski, Dr. G. Grguric. (Bottom, L-R) Dr. A Pfeiffer-Herbert, Dr. C. Thompson, Dr. C. Alves-Souto

Meet your Faculty!

Undergraduate students have more contact time with faculty out in the field

From Inside the Classroom to Out in the Field

Stockton has partnerships within the community which integrate real world marine science challenges into solutions.

Partnerships Within the Community Result in Real World Solutions

We use active learning strategies to incorporate course content in our high tech classrooms on main campus and facilities at our Marine Field Station on Nacote Creek

Marine Field Station Dedicated to Undergrads

Stockton's Marine Science (MARS) program encompasses two general areas of study: Marine Biology and Oceanography. The program is interdisciplinary and requires student competence in several areas of science. A number of field and laboratory courses, seminars, independent studies, internships, and research opportunities which emphasize experiential learning are offered.

Stockton University is one of only a few undergraduate institutions in the U.S. that offers a degree program in Marine Science with a dedicated, easily accessible field facility (Stockton Marine Field Station).  Students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty to design and implement research projects.  Students are  encouraged to present results at the NAMS Undergraduate Research Symposium and regional conferences.


About the Program

Mission Vision

Stockton University’s Marine Science Program is dedicated to undergraduate experiences within a coastal environment, to form ocean-literate citizens.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Marine Science Program at Stockton University is to promote curiosity and critical thinking through quality education and hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom.  Students will develop intellectually, personally and professionally within the small class setting, using cutting edge technology to apply themselves to real-life scenarios within the marine biology and oceanography career fields.

Program Chair

Image of Dr. Susanne Moskalski

Dr. Susanne Moskalski
Assistant Professor of Marine Science
A&S-219 | 609-626-6853
Susanne.Moskalski@stockton.edu

 

 
 

Program Features

  • Small, field-oriented course sections taught primarily by full-time faculty (not by graduate assistants). 
  • A dedicated, easily accessible Marine Field Station focused on undergraduate education and research.
  • Every student is assigned a faculty member in the program as their academic advisor (preceptor).
  • Numerous field-related volunteer, internship, employment opportunities in the area.
  • The Environmental Studies and Marine Science programs were selected by Peterson's Guides and the Alliance for Environmental Education for inclusion in Education for the Earth: A Guide to Top Environmental Studies Programs. 

Curriculum 

Stockton’s Marine Science (MARS) program encompasses two general areas of study: Marine Biology and Oceanography. Within each of these broad areas of study are several focus areas that students may choose from, as a function of their selected electives. Examples include physical oceanography, marine geology, ocean chemistry, resource management, estuarine/marine ecology, and marine technology/survey. 


Degree Offerings


Bachelors of Arts or Sciences in Marine Science with Marine Biology Concentration


Bachelor of Arts or Sciences in Marine Science with Oceanography Concentration


Minor in Marine Science

Degree Works Curriculum & Transfer Equivalency Tool

To see the curriculum for your area of interest you’ll use the web program, Degree Works. This service is accessible even if you are not currently a student with Stockton University.

Current students exploring the various paths towards degree completion should access the "what if" option in their Degree Works through the portal.

Instructions on How to Use Curriculum Tool

Best 15 Oceanography Degree/Marine Science Program

Stockton's Marine Science program was ranked in the Best 15 Oceanography Degree/Marine Science Programs in 2021

Faculty

Camilla Alves Souto

Camilla Alves Souto

Assistant Professor of Marine Science
USC2 - 303 | 609.626.3107
Gordan Grguric

Gordan Grguric

Associate Professor of  Marine Science
USC2 - 301 | 609.652.4492
Elizabeth A. Lacey

Elizabeth A. Lacey

Associate Professor of Marine Science
USC - 115 | 609.626.5542
Susanne Moskalski

Susanne Moskalski

Associate Professor of Marine Science
A&S - 219 | 609.626.6853
Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert

Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert

Associate Professor of Marine Science
USC2 - 304 | 609.626.3484 
Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan

Professor of Marine Science
USC - 112 | 609.626.3575
Christine Thompson

Christine Thompson

Associate Professor of Marine Science
USC2 - 305  | 609.652.4725
 
Derek Burkholder

Derek Burkholder

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
Dana Christensen

Dana Christensen

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
Brenda Landau

Brenda Landau

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
Melissa Laurino

Melissa Laurino

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
Stephen Nagiewicz

Stephen Nagiewicz

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
Tamar Spanier

Tamar Spanier

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
Jacalyn Toth Sullivan

Jacalyn Toth Sullivan

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty
 David Werner

 David Werner

Marine Science Adjunct Faculty

Opportunities

Located on an eight-acre waterfront site in the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Stockton University Marine Field Station makes available the facilities, research vessels, sampling equipment, and staff to provide Stockton students with hands-on learning experiences in a marine environment second to none. The Marine Field Station offers several teaching and research laboratories and offices, five research vessels ranging in size from 16’ – 36’, various marine sampling equipment, general-use laboratory equipment, state-of-the-art water sampling equipment and numerous marine technology instruments, including a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) multibeam sonar, side scan sonar, magnetometer, mobile LiDAR, and Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. Undergraduate students engaged in Marine Science and Marine Science-related courses (Biology, Environmental Science, Geology) access the facility regularly throughout their academic career. All students are encouraged to further utilize the facility for independent study projects and to become part of the numerous faculty and staff-led research teams. There are many opportunities to carry out Marine Science research at the undergraduate level at Stockton and at State and Federal agencies and institutions nearby. The Marine Field Station is also home to the Coastal Research Center, a contract and grant-funded institute focused on research and monitoring of New Jersey’s coastal zone issues ranging from beach access, inlet dynamics, and pre and post-storm surveys of coastal beaches.


Both the Marine Field Station and the Coastal Research Center provide part-time work and volunteer opportunities for MARS students, as do numerous local agencies. Students may propose their own field, laboratory, or library research projects to prospective faculty sponsors, and/or work on suitable internships. Student interns have been placed locally in field/laboratory positions, including at the Adventure Aquarium, Atlantic City Aquarium, Rutgers Field Stations (Tuckerton, Port Norris, Cape May), Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Brigantine Marine Mammal Stranding Center, and at area shellfish hatcheries. Through the Washington Internship program, MARS majors have been placed at the National Aquarium, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institute/Natural History Museum.


For research projects that necessitate the processing of larger quantities of numerical data, students can make use of the University’s Computer Center, which is tied into the statewide Educational Computer Network. Stockton is a member of the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium and has access to Consortium marine stations, boats, and equipment. Stockton students can take, with the approval of the MARS program, summer courses at the NJMSC facilities at Sandy Hook.

Get Involved

The Marine Science Program offers a number of opportunities for students to get involved in various areas of interest outside of the classroom. These include student-organized clubs, as well as student chapters of established professional societies.

 

Program Recognition:

Peterson's Guides
Alliance for Environmental Education for inclusion in Education for the Earth: A Guide to Top Environmental Studies Programs

 Inclusion in Education for the Earth: A Guide to Top Environmental Studies Programs

Essential Learning Outcomes

Learn more about the MARS program ELO's.  These essential learning outcomes guide all Stockton University students from first-year through graduation to the intellectual and marketable talents needed to prepare for personal and professional success in the 21st century.

Careers

Graduates of the Marine Science program seek employment directly with their B.A. or B.S. degrees, or go on to graduate school to work for M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. There are a number of employment opportunities in this field, both in the private and public sectors. Students concentrating in Oceanography, and those taking additional electives in marine geology, marine technology, and underwater surveying should do well in an increasingly quantitative field.

Stockton graduates in Marine Science have been very successful in obtaining entry-level positions in their field with local, state, and federal agencies. Such positions have involved laboratory work, fieldwork on marine habitats, data analysis, K-12 and public education and law enforcement. Some have gone on to consulting jobs with private firms, while others have entered postgraduate study at major universities.

All Marine Science students are required to take a 1-credit seminar course that prepares them for successful careers after graduation. Regardless of area of interest, undergraduate students who seek additional hands-on experiences outside of the classroom tend to flourish at the next level.

 

Potential Careers

There are a wide variety of jobs within marine sciences. Here are just a few examples of potential careers:

Ocean engineer
Marine researcher
Aquaculturist
Marine biologist/scientist
Oceanographer
Marine Environmental Economist
Marine mammal trainer
Aquatic veterinarian
Veterinarian
Marine archeology
Underwater filmmaker
Educator

 

The connections you made with your professors and preceptors are invaluable resources for your career planning. Beyond providing assistance on coursework and scheduling, they can give you guidance in planning for your post-college career. 

In addition, we have a student Career Center that is available to guide you through your career development journey - from CV writing, interview prep or general guidance.