College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences

Dean
Arthur R.M. Nowell
200 Ocean Sciences

Associate Dean
David Armstrong

The marine and freshwater environments have been a dominant factor in the history of the Pacific Northwest from the time of the first Native American settlements to the modern days of aquaculture, container ships, and waterfront condominiums. It is not surprising, therefore, that the University of Washington has a long tradition of commitment to teaching, research, and public service in subjects related to marine and freshwater activities.

The College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences (COFS) comprises five major units of the University in the marine and freshwater sciences: the Schools of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Marine Affairs, and Oceanography; the Applied Physics Laboratory; and Washington Sea Grant. Each of the units of the College focuses on a different aspect of the aquatic environment, but there is much overlap of interests.

The College offers both undergraduate and graduate instructional programs in fisheries and oceanography, and graduate programs in marine affairs. Undergraduates may pursue complementary undergraduate degrees with departments such as biology, chemistry, and earth and space sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. College faculty, staff, and students carry out research in oceans, estuaries, lakes, and rivers all over the world. Facilities for research and teaching range from ocean-going vessels to well-equipped laboratories and classrooms. COFS and its units are fortunate to offer numerous scholarship opportunities, which provide support for approximately 50 students annually.

The College also supports career-oriented resources for students to complement traditional coursework and research. An annual Career Fair, held each February, brings more than 30 potential employers to campus to meet with students and discuss career possibilities and employment opportunities. The COFS Career Center is available for students, providing information about career planning and job opportunities in the marine and freshwater sciences. Northwest WaterWork, a publication of current employment opportunities and internships available in water-related areas, is published by the College as a service to students. Internships are encouraged as a way to help students bridge the transition from the classroom to employment after graduation. The College also supports educational outreach activities and innovative learning technologies.

The College has approximately 250 undergraduate and 250 graduate students enrolled, a faculty of 120 members, and a total budget of more than $70 million, making it one of the largest institutions of its kind in the nation.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, established in 1919, provides nationally recognized learning experiences in basic and applied aquatic sciences, with an emphasis on fisheries management and conservation. Faculty, staff, and students have access to the region's wealth of aquatic habitats and living resources as well as synergistic partnerships with other academic programs throughout the nation and the world. Critical program areas in aquatic sciences include aquaculture, physiology and genetics, habitat and species ecology, and quantitative fisheries analyses, management, conservation, and restoration.

The School of Oceanography was established in 1930 for teaching and research focused on coastal and blue-water oceanography. Faculty, staff, and students explore ocean-climate interactions, biological, chemical, and geophysical aspects of deep-sea hydrothermal systems, the oceanography of coastal ecosystems, and other interdisciplinary topics. The school offers graduate degrees and is the only leading oceanography program in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree.

The School of Marine Affairs fosters comprehensive, long-term, and anticipatory approaches to marine policy and ocean and coastal management. An interdisciplinary curriculum and interactions with public and private organizations, environmental groups, and regulatory agencies enrich student understanding of contemporary issues in ocean and coastal management. The school provides guidance to all levels of government in the United States and abroad; to non-governmental organizations that promote resolution of ocean and coastal issues; and to the marine trades, shipping, and transportation industries.

The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a self-sustaining research center within the College established in 1943 at the request of the U.S. government to address urgent wartime problems. Today, as one of only four Navy University Affiliated Research Centers in the country, it is a premier center for research, development, and advanced education in science and engineering. About half of APL's programs are devoted to developing innovative solutions to complex technical problems, primarily related to naval operations. The remaining programs are committed to fundamental research in ocean physics, ocean acoustics, polar science, remote sensing, and medical and industrial ultrasound.

Washington Sea Grant (WSG) supports a broad range of research, education, outreach, and technology transfer activities on coastal and marine issues, placing particular emphasis on those situations where resources, the environment, and people interact. It works extensively with university and external partners to identify needs and opportunities in the marine environment and to develop projects and partnership programs that address them. WSG is nationally recognized for its quality, innovation, and positive impact.