"The Marine Science Consortium (MSC) is a non-profit educational and research institution composed of 17 universities within the northeastern United States. Its objectives are to promote and encourage learning on the graduate, undergraduate, pre-college, and Elderhostel levels in marine and environmental sciences and to promote and encourage pure and applied research in the marine sciences. Participants acquire knowledge in the marine sciences through ""hands on"", field oriented courses and programs. The study of coastal and near-shore environs and associated organisms are the primary interests of MSC researchers. "The instructional/educational campus of MSC comprises approximately 50 acres of land and 32 buildings that contain classrooms, laboratories, library, cafeteria, dormitories, administrative offices, staff housing, museum and recreational facilities.

The research campus (with a large marine water laboratory and staff residence) is located at the Marine Science Consortium Research Center (MSCRC) on the Chincoteague Bay at Greenbackville, Virginia.

MSC owns and operates three research/instruction vessels and a number of smaller vessels. R.V. Free Enterprise is used for off-shore studies and the R.V. Limulus and the R.V. Black Skimmer are used for coastal bay and tidal creeks studies. "The primary objectives of MSC research focus on marine biodiversity, marine ecology and behavior of marine organisms. These research projects include the eel grass community, benthic and intertidal organisms, dolphin behavior and migration, barrier island dynamics, and population density studies. MSC encourages and sponsors a number of undergraduate and graduate research projects associated with university degree requirements. "MSC offers a variety of marine oriented programs to a wide range of age groups. These include the Precollege Program, focusing on participants from fourth to twelfth grade, and includes topics such as marine biology, dolphin behavior, SCUBA certification, shark biology, Atlantic Coast fishes and sea kayaking. The College Program offers courses for both undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of topics that include marine biology, oceanography, marine ecology, marine invertebrates, plankton, molluscs, research diver methods, field methods, tropical marine invertebrates and coral reef ecology. The Elderhostel Program emphasizes the cultural history, natural history and ecology of Virginia's eastern shore. There are also intergenerational and outdoor adventure programs (sea kayaking). "MSC is governed by a Board of Directors composed of faculty from member institutions. University courses are taught by various faculty from member institutions. The Precollege and Elderhostel Programs are taught by MSC resident staff. The permanent resident staff include:

R. Ryan Cilsick, Programs Manager
John C. Besecker, Operations ManagerJean Trafford, TreasurerLeslie Leckvarcik, Elderhostel CoordinatorMarek Topolski, Senior InstructorPhilip Parker, Senior Boat Captain

"

"MSC is located on the Delmarva Peninsula and its education/research campus is adjacent to the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center of Wallops Island, Virginia and near to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague National Seashore. "Contact Person:Albert F. Answini
President
Marine Science Consortium
7278 Enterprise Street
Wallops Island, VA 23337

Telephone: (757) 824-5636
FAX: (757) 824-5638
E_mail Address: mscva@shore.intercom.net
Web Site: http://www.intercom.net/user/mscva/msc01.htm

Winter Address:

Albert F. Answini
Biology Department
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA 19530
E_Mail Address: answini@kutztown.edu
Contact

3/25/99