College Programs

Facilities

The Consortium owns and operates a 50 foot research vessel capable of offshore work, two 40 foot platform-type monitor vessels used in the marsh channels and bays, and several smaller boats. The Consortium maintains oceanographic field equipment and environmental collecting and monitoring instruments. Other facilities include 10 laboratory classrooms with microscopes and salt-water aquaria, dormitory housing (400 beds), cafeteria, recreation areas, buses, vans, marine science library, book store, nature trail, and maintenance shop. The Consortium’s instructional staff is also available upon request for college field trips.

Location 

The Consortium is ideally located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. Nearby barrier islands are biologically diverse and geologically dynamic. Many of the islands and marshes remain undeveloped and area waters have sustained fishing, crabbing, and oystering for generations. Additional resources within the area include Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague National Seashore, and NASA Wallops Island Flight Facility.