"The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) is a research unit of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Established in 1947 as the Institute of Fisheries Research, its name was changed in 1967 to better reflect the broad range of investigative projects being conducted by its faculty and visiting scientists.

The Institute's mission is to serve the state and nation through the conduct of high quality basic and applied marine sciences research. It retains a resident faculty committed to:

• addressing important scientific questions related to the nature, use, development, protection, and enhancement of marine resources;

• developing and applying technologically-advanced approaches to field, laboratory, and analytical problems;

• communicating research results and new technologies to both professional and public audiences; and,

• providing assistance to government, business,and other groups to facilitate the application of new knowledge to practical problems.

Most IMS faculty members hold joint appointments in the Department of Marine Sciences and actively participate in the training of students as well. Students gain ""hands on"" field and laboratory experience and contribute to the Institute's mission by working with faculty on a wide range of research projects. The Institute of Marine Sciences is located on the Bogue Sound waterfront in Morehead City at the heart of North Carolina's central coastal region and within easy reach (~ 30 minutes by boat) of every major type of marine ecosystem in the state. The area is rich in estuarine and wetland habitats and offers a deep water port and ready access to the larger sounds and the ecologically significant Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout areas. Other nearby marine sciences facilities include the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, the N. C. State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, the Duke Marine Laboratory, and the NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service.

The Institute's main buildings comprise approximately 60,000 sq. ft. of newly constructed or renovated office and research laboratory space, a library, a small seminar room, and a full suite of support facilities. Four large laboratories are supplied with running seawater.

Outdoor ponds provide seawater habitats for controlled experiments. A small dormitory offers short-term bunking accommodations.

Research vessels include a modern 47-ft. coastal vessel,the R.V. Capricorn, and about a dozen outboard motor-powered boats ranging in length from 13 to 27 feet. The i>R.V.Cape Hatteras, a fully-equipped 135-ft. oceanographic ship operated by the Duke/UNC Oceanographic Consortium, is docked just minutes away.