Welcome to Moss Landing Marine Laboratories!
Since establishment in 1966, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) has grown an international reputation for excellence in marine science research and education, and is the second oldest marine lab on Monterey Bay. MLML is operated by a consortium of seven California State University campuses (Fresno, Hayward, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, and Stanislaus), with consortium undergraduate and graduate students taking courses or pursuing their Masters of Science degrees at MLML. The lab is situated in an excellent location for the study of the marine world. The Monterey Submarine Canyon, the largest such feature on the west coast of North America, begins within a few hundred meters of the Moss Landing harbor and the MLML research fleet. Researchers can be over 2,000 m water depths with one hour steaming out of Moss Landing. To the east of MLML is the Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest unspoiled estuarine wetlands off the west coast of the United States, and an important site for shorebirds and fishes. To the north and south are sand dunes, sandy beaches, and extensive kelp forest habitats along the rocky shoreline. Some of the most productive kelp forests and intertidal areas can be found in this region. MLML also is located between two large upwelling centers, which provide nutrients that stimulate an incredible amount of productivity but also provide a wealth of opportunities to study coastal oceanic processes.
The MLML mission is to: "Provision the Pioneers of the Future in Marine Sciences." We do this through a hands-on, field-oriented approach to our curriculum, which places our students at the frontiers of marine science where discoveries are being made. The expertise of nine full-time MLML faculty is strongly complimented by a number of adjunct professors and affiliated researchers, and we serve approximately 120 students with the support of about 50 talented staff. Because MLML is associated with the California State University system, the primary responsibility of the faculty is teaching. In addition to emphasizing well-taught courses and mentoring of graduate students, the MLML faculty and associated researchers are regional leaders within their research disciplines. The combined emphasis on teaching and research provides a unique setting for graduate student education. The great wealth of nearby marine resources, the faculty emphasis on mentoring and teaching with integrated research, and the excellent facilities, staff, and marine operations contribute to make this one of the best programs for a Master of Science in Marine Science in the United States.
For a closer look, we encourage you to browse this site, or contact our faculty with your questions.
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