Marine Sciences

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The Marine Sciences Program at Savannah State University provides research, education and outreach programs which contribute to a vital, technically-qualified, intellectually-thoughtful and ethnically-diverse community of individuals capable of creatively solving problems and answering questions related to coastal and ocean ecosystem health, environmental quality and fisheries sustainability.

Bachelor of Marine Sciences

Master of Marine Sciences

MS in Marine Sciences

• SSU is # 1 in the nation in production of African-American MS recipients in Marine Science (2002-2017 IPEDS data)
• 83 MS degree recipients since inception of the program in fall 2002 through Dec 2019
• Advanced study: 
  • 22% have pursued PhDs
  • 4% have pursued professional degrees
• Employment:
  • 68% have reported employment in marine science-relevant fields (marine/environmental/fisheries)
  • 89% have reported work in STEM fields
• In 2019-20, 75% of SSU MS in Marine Science students were federally funded (grants) and 10% were supported by SSU Graduate assistantships
• Fall 2019 demographics: 47% white, 29% black, 12% multiracial, 6% Asian 

BS in Marine Sciences

• SSU is # 1 in the nation in production of African-American BS recipients in Marine Science (2002-2017 IPEDS data)
• 242 BS degree recipients since the program started (program approved 1979, first graduates 1985) to Dec 2019
• Advanced study:
  • 21% have pursued Master’s degrees
  • 4% have pursued PhDs
  • 1% have pursued professional degrees
• Employment:
  • 41% have reported employment in marine science-relevant fields (marine science, environmental sci, geoscience)
  • 61% have reported work in STEM fields
• Fall 2019 demographics: 46% black, 21% Hispanic, 21% white, 10% multi-racial

National Data

• Black graduates represent approximately 2% of all degrees in Marine Sciences earned from 2002-2017 (IPEDS data for fields of Aquatic Biology, Fisheries, Marine Bio/Bio Ocean, Marine science combined). While this is a dismal statistic, SSU is doing its part to increase this percentage and is #1 nationally in doing so.
• Nationally, based on the 2014 U.S. Census, 36% of all STEM bachelor’s graduates were employed in STEM fields (Lue and Xarson, 2015).  As of March 2020 and including recent Dec 2019 graduates, 61% of SSU BS graduates in Marine Science have reported STEM employment post-graduation.  For our MS graduates, that increases to 89%. 

Some Reflections on the Origin, Challenges and Contributions of Marine Science Degree Programs at Savannah State University

by Matthew R. Gilligan, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Savannah State University, October 2017