The College of William & Mary, in collaboration with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point, is preparing to add an undergraduate marine science program to its list of academic majors. Currently, the school offers a minor in marine science with VIMS.

“That minor has been very popular,” said Siddhartha Mitra, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and professor of coastal and ocean processes.

The marine science minor was first introduced at W&M in 2010.

“It had it’s time to grow and make an impression,” said Christopher Hein, Wakefield Associate Professor of Marine Science and Director of Undergraduate Programs.

If approved, the undergraduate program will be the first of its kind for a public college or university in Virginia.

“We would be the first undergraduate degree titled “marine science” in Virginia,” said Mitra.

The school is preparing for the major to be available for W&M students in fall 2025 at the earliest. This is dependent on approval from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV).

“They’re in charge of the final approval,” said Mitra.

Students in this program will be able to take several field classes and also take part in summer elective courses at the VIMS Eastern Shore campus.

“It’s a wildly different experience,” said Hein about the Eastern Shore campus.

Students will also be able to travel to Wales, U.K., as a study abroad opportunity within the major program.

Those who are enrolled in the VIMS graduate school already enjoy experiential learning, field trip and internship opportunities.

“We want the undergrads to have a similar experience,” said Mitra.

One important goal of the undergraduate program is for students to be employable upon graduation and have the flexibility to choose whether they would like to attend graduate school.

“That level of flexibility needs to be there for the program,” said Mitra.

The undergraduate marine science program would “set these students up for careers,” said Hein.

Virginia is losing students to other states that do have marine science undergraduate programs.

“There is a need for it,” said Hein.

With more than 7,000 miles of coast, Virginia has many challenges ahead, including an eroding coast, a rising sea level and changing water pH and temperature, leading to a need for marine science experts in the area. Other issues impacting the area include oyster mortality and fish disease. All of these concerns impact the area’s residents, economy and tourism.

“There’s an urgency forced by the changing climate system,” said Hein.

Hein said the big initial draw to marine science is usually the animals, but experts are needed to weigh in on human policies that impact the marine environment.

Students are recognizing the needs of the area and are showing interest in being involved on the VIMS campus, which is a world-renowned facility.

“They want to be part of what’s happening on this campus,” said Hein.

No other school in Virginia acts as the state’s advisor in marine science issues. Research at VIMS in not only for classroom or field purposes, but also for state-driven needs.

Another bonus for W&M marine science undergraduate students would be the opportunity to be mentored by the marine science graduate students at VIMS.

Administration at both W&M and VIMS are excited about the prospect of a marine science undergraduate program.