Marine Science

Marine Science

Research Vessels

Our campus is situated on TampaBay, allowing us to access an extraordinary diversity of marine and estuarine species in a wide variety of coastal habitats including sea grass beds, sand flats, beaches and mangroves. This diversity of coastal habitats is easily accessible by our active fleet of vessels, which include three offshore powerboats, a beachcat with a working deck, and the US R/V Gilbert. The R/V Gilbert belongs to the US Geological Survey and is kept at Eckerd's waterfront as part of an ongoing co-op research program. The marine science research vessels are harbored at the campus waterfront area. Our subtropical climate allows us to employ field work and boat use in our classes year-round.

Student Research

Given the close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and subtropical climate, the Tampa Bay region has a high concentration of marine research and academic institutions. Because of many local connections in the Tampa Bay area, a large number of opportunities are available to our students through government and private marine agencies and laboratories, public aquaria, marine conservation institutions, environmental consulting firms, and commercial aquaculture firms.

$1 Million Renovation Project

GMSL patio

The National Science Foundation awarded Eckerd College $870,720 to renovate research spaces within the Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory during the summer of 2011. Eckerd contributions to the project bring the total renovation budget to over $1 million. Learn more.