Marine Biology

Overview

This Marine Biology program takes advantage of the 44 faculty members whose research interests span the study of marine ecosystems, marine biogeochemical processes, reef and oceanic fisheries, and human/marine interactions. It also partners with state and federal agencies such as the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center for NOAA, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to offer research and internship opportunities.

The faculty and students in this program have access to one of largest coral reef habitats in the United States including the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the Main Hawaiian Islands, and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. 

The unique location of the Hawaiian Archipelago in the central North Pacific Ocean makes it one of the most remote locations in the world allowing the processes that govern adaptation and evolution in the marine environment to be studied with minimal anthropogenic influence. The program emphasizes scientific training in marine biology as a high demand occupation for the future.

The goal of the training is to produce scientists who are experts in their research areas with a broad-based understanding of the biology, ecology, evolution and life processes of marine organisms. 

This program also addresses the growing need, locally and globally, for technically trained scientists, managers, and policy makers who are needed to understand the many processes that govern tropical marine ecosystems. 

Sound management of marine resources is becoming critical as these resources come under mounting pressure for exploitation from a growing human population and increasing stress from global climate change.

Multicultural Global Experience

Committed to being the leading indigenous serving university in the country, University of Hawaii at Manoa proudly delivers a unique multicultural global experience in a Hawaiian place of learning, with a long history of adherence to the principles of sustainability and the essence of aloha—truly like nowhere else on earth.