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Marine Sciences is an extensively interdisciplinary discipline that demands knowledge and application of fundamental sciences like biology, physics, and chemistry. Specifically, the Marine Sciences program equips students with a strong foundation in core biology along with oceanic physics and chemistry. Advanced elective courses allow students to specialize in specific organism groups (such as microbes, algae, marine invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals) and ecosystems (including salt marshes, rocky shores, barrier islands, dunes, estuaries, and open waters). The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) serves as Stony Brook University's hub for education, research, and community engagement in marine, atmospheric, and environmental sciences. SoMAS encompasses both the Marine Sciences Research Center (MSRC) and the Institute for Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres (ITPA). MSRC holds the distinction of being SUNY's sole state-designated center for marine research, academic programs, and public education. Recognized as one of the nation's premier coastal oceanographic and atmospheric institutions, SoMAS faculty expertise positions SBU at the cutting edge of solving both regional environmental challenges and global oceanic and atmospheric issues. SoMAS faculty primarily concentrate on foundational research aimed at deciphering coastal and atmospheric processes. Additionally, SoMAS actively applies research findings to address environmental challenges stemming from human activities. The school hosts specialized institutes focusing on key areas: the Institute for Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres, the Living Marine Resources Institute, the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science, the Long Island Groundwater Resource Institute, and the Waste Reduction and Management Institute. These institutes, along with numerous research initiatives, significantly enrich Stony Brook's educational and research landscape.