Dean’s Letter

Faculty of Marine Sciences

The oceans cover approximately 70% of the Earth's surface and serve as a natural and vital system for the water cycle, oxygen production, climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

Marine resources play key roles in managing and solving future challenges in many aspects, including food security, health, energy, water, tourism, transportation and the global economy, security, industrial innovation, technological advancement and applied research and environmental protection. The marine resource field offers enormous potential for research, innovation, educational and social contributions, and training the future generation of scientists, entrepreneurs, developers, and decision-makers.

The above aspects are of particular importance today in light of the dramatic development in the exploitation of marine resources as a primary source of energy, drinking water, trade and more; competition in the use of marine space; increasing development pressures along the coasts and in the marine space; the impact of global climate change; coping with the expected global hunger crisis, and the need for intelligent and sustainable exploitation of marine resources, the supply of "protein from the sea" and the development of marine biotechnologies for research, medical, industrial and environmental needs.

The Faculty of Marine Sciences, operating since 1997, grants two first academic degrees in Marine Science and Marine Environment (B.Sc.) and Biotechnology (B.Sc.) in two specializations: Marine Environment and Mariculture. The faculty also grants two graduate degrees, in a research track in Marine Sciences (M.Sc.) and Marine Resources Management (MA).

The faculty's teaching staff is professional, dedicated and experienced, and the campus includes advanced laboratories for teaching and research (oceanography, chemistry, animal physiology, molecular biology, natural materials, aquaculture, drug research, flowing seawater); an active research marina that includes boats for research and teaching and marine measurement equipment.

The curriculum is diverse and includes basic studies in natural sciences, specialization studies in marine sciences and biotechnology, and the acquisition of various skills for multidisciplinary training (e.g.: AI, programming, data analysis, research methods, communication skills, teamwork). The studies include unique courses, for example, oceanographic cruises, a scientific diving workshop, a skipper license at various levels (including overseas cruises), and more.

Graduates of the program have been integrated into a wide variety of occupations: innovation and sustainability entrepreneurship, biotechnology and aquaculture, faculty in higher education institutions, industry, governmental and environmental organizations, as well as continuing studies for advanced degrees (doctorate), medicine, veterinary medicine and pharmacy.

You are invited to an extraordinary, enriching, and fascinating experience of studies and much more.

Prof. Barak Herut
Dean of the Faculty of Marine Sciences