William & Mary is set to become the first public university in Virginia to offer a bachelor’s degree in marine science. The university’s Board of Visitors recently passed a resolution to create the new undergraduate program due to the increased demand in the field. However, final approval from the state is still needed for the program to move forward.
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point, which already offers master’s and doctoral programs in marine science, will play a key role in the new undergraduate program. Provost Peggy Agouris stated that the proposed program aligns with the university’s existing work and will provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to pursue a career in the field of coastal and marine science.
Although William & Mary already offers some undergraduate marine science courses through a minor added in 2010, interest in these courses has grown significantly over the past five years. School officials attribute this increased interest to the urgent challenges faced by coastal and marine communities worldwide, with Virginia being at the forefront of these challenges.
To further enhance students’ learning experience, William & Mary plans to include an immersion semester at VIMS for students in the proposed undergraduate program. This immersion semester would allow students to participate in research and internships during their junior year. The university is currently working on a proposal to submit to the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia with hopes of launching the program in fall 2025.
