Ocean and Estuarine Science Minor

Nearly 70% percent of the world's surface is ocean and 99% of the known biosphere is marine. The oceans have a critical impact on the world climate and geology. Estuaries are extremely important both biologically and economically, and George Mason University is situated near one of the largest estuaries in the country: the Chesapeake Bay.

Many national organizations dealing with Ocean and Estuarine Science are also located in the region, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), as well as environmental groups such as Oceana and The Ocean Conservancy.

The Ocean and Estuarine Science minor gives students a specialization in this important and exciting field of science and, in particular, complements majors in Earth Science, Geology, or Biology.

Contact Information

Julia Nord
Undergraduate Coordinator for Geology and Earth Science Program
Department of Atmospheric, Oceanice and Earth Sciences
3050 David King Hall MSN 5F2
703-993-3395
jnord@gmu.edu

Chris Parsons
Undergraduate Coordinator for Ocean and Estuarine Program
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
3033 David King Hall MSN 5F2
703-993-1211
eparson1@gmu.edu