Texas A&M Launches College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies

The Galveston-based college's programs will explore the economic, social, political and ecological aspects of oceans and coasts.

Texas A&M University has established the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, aiming to lead the nation in innovation, research and education for the blue economy, with a focus on sustainability and the stewardship of ocean and coastal resources. (Photo: Zach Thomas / Texas A&M University at Galveston)

Texas A&M University has launched a new College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies to lead in innovation, education and discovery for the nation’s “blue economy,” the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources for economic growth. The college offers the nation’s most comprehensive, hands-on programs spanning sciences, humanities, business, engineering and transportation.

“The creation of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies demonstrates Texas A&M’s dedication to meeting our sea-grant mission through research, innovation and education in the blue economy, an industry that impacts the lives of nearly every citizen on the planet,” said Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III. “The college, complemented by the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, will support the activities, industries and practices that harness the immense potential of marine and coastal resources while preserving their health and improving livelihoods to benefit generations now and in the future.”

The college’s undergraduate and graduate programs explore the economic, social, political and ecological aspects of oceans and coasts, aiming to enhance understanding, stewardship and sustainability of these resources. Collectively, these sectors comprise the blue economy, a $1.5 trillion industry that is essential to economic prosperity, national security and environmental protection and conservation.

“The College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies leverages the location and special purpose of the Galveston Campus to improve lives and livelihoods through education, discovery, innovation and service in the coastal, marine and maritime disciplines,” said Dr. Debbie Thomas, founding dean of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies and Chief Academic Officer of the Galveston Campus. “We are truly unique and unparalleled in our comprehensive collection of cutting-edge, mission-critical courses of study in the coastal, marine and maritime disciplines. The creation of this college positions Texas A&M University to be the nation’s premier destination of choice for learners, scholars and professionals in the blue economy.”

The college’s researchers, centers and institutes are globally renowned for providing actionable research and translational knowledge. It is home to the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, the nation’s leading coastal risk, resilience and recovery entity, whose work serves nearly half of the world’s populations living in coastal regions. The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles vital to healthy coral reefs and marine ecosystems, and the Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species supports the $11 billion fisheries industry through research on migratory fishes such as tunas, tarpons and sharks.

The college joins Texas A&M’s College of Engineering and Maritime Academy in calling the Galveston Campus home. The campus’ location provides unique, natural laboratories with direct access to the Houston and Galveston ports, shipping lanes, estuaries and coastlines.

“We have been reimagining Texas A&M University at Galveston as a hub of interdisciplinary excellence with an expanded operational framework that encompasses all aspects of the blue economy,” said Michael E. Fossum, vice president and COO of the Galveston Campus. “The creation of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies provides broader, specialized support of Texas A&M’s sea-grant mission as we become the preeminent leader in marine, coastal and maritime research, education and training not just in Texas but across the globe.”

Note: In the photo above, Dr. Debbie Thomas, dean of the new College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, on the first day of Fall '24 classes. Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University at Galveston.