University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering freshwater and Marine Sciences Freshwater and Marine Sciences

 

About the Program

Research Facilities

Degree Requirements

How to Apply

History

View of the Lake Mendota lakeshore

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This interdisciplinary program is concerned with both biological and physical aspects of aquatic systems. Research and graduate training emphasizes a systems approach, focusing on the interconnections of biotic and abiotic components in habitats as varied as inland lakes, wetlands, and the global ocean.

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is recognized worldwide as a leader in the field of freshwater and aquatic ecology. The Freshwater and Marine Sciences program began in 1962 as the Oceanography and Limnology graduate program. We combine research and teaching from several fields and assists departments to develop a greater understanding of aquatic systems — their origins, inhabitants, phenomena, and impact on human life.

Located on Lake Mendota, our graduate program emphasizes limnological studies and is based on the premise that freshwater and marine sciences and oceanography are integrated fields requiring a broad base in the fundamental disciplines. Students may specialize in freshwater and marine science, or in oceanography, or they may focus on processes common to both environments.

Our program is administered by the College of Engineering and sponsored jointly with the College of Letters and Science. Interdisciplinary in nature, each student's program of study provides graduate training in aquatic sciences and integrates related sciences. Freshwater and Marine Sciences graduate faculty come from many departments throughout UW-Madison, including Agronomy, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Botany, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Entomology, Geology and Geophysics, Veterinary Medicine and Zoology.

Facilities for freshwater and marine research and instruction in the biological, chemical, and physical areas of freshwater and marine sciences and oceanography are available at UW-Madison through the Center for Limnology, the Water Science and Engineering Laboratory, and the departments of faculty participating in the program. The Center for Limnology also maintains a year-round laboratory at Trout Lake. This facility is a well-equipped biological field station in the Northern Highlands lake district of Wisconsin. Several research vessels are available for research on the Great Lakes. Ships belonging to other institutions are used for oceanographic field research.

contacting us

Freshwater and Marine Sciences
680 North Park Street
Madison, WI 53706-1492

Tel: 608/263-3264
Fax: 608/262-0454
E-mail: mcpossin@wisc.edu
Web: www.engr.wisc.edu/interd/limnology




Copyright 2010 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Date last modified: 08-May-2013
Date created: 04-Jun-2001
Content by: mcpossin@wisc.edu