M. Gilligan, C. Franklin, J. Richardson

Peter Verity, Marc Frischer

Savannah State University

Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

Basic Information

Application

Project Summary

Student Handbook

Coastal environments in the southeastern U.S. are expected to undergo unprecedented population growth in the next 20 years (LUCES, 1996). Accompanying this human expansion will be significant increases in land use and the potential for dramatic effects upon resources and environmental quality. To be prepared to handle these issues, our educational systems need to provide the technology, methodology, and information required to assess, predict, and improve marine resources and coastal environmental quality.

African Americans remain significantly underrepresented in marine and environmental science. In early recognition of both the need for and absence of black participation, Savannah State University (SSU) applied for and received assistance from NSF in 1970 to provide and equip an undergraduate curricular option in marine science. Since then, the College of Sciences and Technology has added a program in biotechnology. These combined degree programs provide a liberal arts base with fundamental knowledge in the basic sciences, and exposure to nominal methods and tools in marine and environmental science and biotechnology. However, predominantly undergraduate educational schools such as SSU simply do not have the resources or justification to develop and maintain extensive modern research facilities. Thus their students, while receiving fine classroom instruction, do not have the exposure to and training in sophisticated research environments. Those who do, generally receive it during summer research experiences outside the state or region. Without such exposure, students will be less competitive than those who have received formal training in research.

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Last updated March, 2006