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. Many of our graduates have obtained positions with a wide range of organizations, often through contacts made while as a student intern.

The research opportunities are greatly expanded by four major oceanographic research facilities located in St. Petersburg. The college’s membership in the Florida Institute of Oceanography allows our students hands-on experience aboard oceangoing research vessels. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is also in St. Petersburg, along with the graduate Department of Marine Science of the University of South Florida. The FWRI built its Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory on the Eckerd campus. The fourth facility is the coastal geology branch of the US Geological Survey (USGS). These institutions provide research internships to Eckerd students, who are also welcome to use their libraries and attend their seminars.

In addition to these external opportunities, EckerdCollege provides other research opportunities for marine science students, including:

• Marine Science Freshman Research Program
• Natural Sciences Summer Research Program
• Student Research Symposium
• Eckerd College Dolphin Project
• Senior Thesis