Florida Atlantic University and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Working toward a new generation of marine scientists and future leaders in environmental research and management
FAU and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) are working together to implement a marine science education and research program on the Treasure Coast. Local legislative support on the Treasure Coast provided $11 million in state appropriations for the construction of an FAU research and teaching facility at HBOI in Fort Pierce. This innovative partnership that is still growing after more than a decade will produce a new generation of marine scientists and future leaders in environmental research and management.
Associate Professor Dr. Edward Proffitt was one of the first FAU faculty members stationed at HBOI. “I saw this position at FAU as an opportunity to be a part of a rapidly growing marine science program in an area with a great number of unique natural resources and ecosystems,” says Proffitt. “With projections indicating rapid population growth for the Treasure Coast region, more research is needed in order to assure the wise stewardship of our marine and estuarine environments.”
“The new facility expands what has been in place for years. There are FAU students here right now in the Semester by the Sea program and graduate-level students are also here conducting research,” says Proffitt. The Semester by the Sea program is a semester-long immersion into a unique variety of hands-on marine science courses.
Facility Highlights
-Opened Fall 2006
-$11 million, state-of-the-art, 40,000 square-foot facility
-Located at the Harbor Branch campus in Fort Pierce, Florida
-Focus on research and teaching
-Temporary home of the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies
-Biology degrees with a specialization in marine science will be offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
-Classes will be offered in marine biology, marine biotechnology, marine science, natural resources, and environmental education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels
“The FAU/HBOI facility will provide unique and highly valuable opportunities to keep our best and brightest students. The significant research conducted as a result of this partnership will help support the economic vitality and sustainability of the Treasure Coast.” – Senator Pruitt at the FAU/HBOI Groundbreaking, November 22, 2004
