University Adds Two Undergraduate Majors to Renowned Graduate Offerings
STONY BROOK, N.Y., February 1, 2005—Stony Brook University announced today that it has received approval from the State University of New York and the State Education Department to transfer Southampton College’s undergraduate marine sciences program to the University’s Marine Sciences Research Center.
The approval provides Stony Brook with two B.S. majors, one each in Marine Vertebrate Biology and one in Marine Science. The programs will begin in Fall, 2005. Stony Brook already has a nationally renowned graduate program in marine sciences.
In November, Stony Brook reached agreement with Long Island University, which operates Southampton College, to absorb qualified undergraduate students in marine sciences after LIU announced that it would be moving many of its programs to its other campuses. The agreement required SUNY and SED approval.
“This is a pivotal moment in the history of the MSRC,” said David Conover, Dean of the Marine Sciences Research Center. “In the first 35 years of its existence, the MSRC has become one of the leading programs in marine sciences in the country, mirroring the rise to prominence of Stony Brook as a whole. The addition of the undergraduate marine sciences majors enables the MSRC to expand its leading role in Stony Brook’s commitment to integrating undergraduate education fully into the mission of a research university.”
Stony Brook will conduct the undergraduate programs at the MSRC and will lease the marine station facilities at the Southampton campus on a year-to-year basis for three years. So far, about 70 Southampton marine science students have applied to transfer to Stony Brook. Three marine science faculty from Southampton have been offered similar faculty positions at Stony Brook and a yet-to-be-determined number of staff from the marine station may also receive offers.
Stony Brook also has begun assembling committees to help determine the curriculum potential as well as the financial viability for an expanded presence at the Southampton College site, including a possible program based on sustainability and the environment.
