Skip to main content

Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences

Prospective Students

William & Mary's Batten School & VIMS are among the nation's largest and most prestigious centers for coastal and marine research and education. We are committed to developing undergraduate and graduate students who have the academic and professional skills necessary to meet the present and future needs of science and society.

We have a track record of 75+ years of exceptional graduate education. Our new undergraduate major in coastal and marine sciences stands alone as the only program in the country where all students receive full tuition support through The R. Todd Stravitz Scholars Program.

Undergraduate

Graduate

Fast Facts about the Batten School

1,000+ Graduate Degrees Granted
75+ Years of Graduate Education
56 Outstanding Faculty
120+ Undergraduate Minors in Marine Science since 2014

In the Spotlight

Nihal Guennouni '25

M.S. in Marine Science
Guennouni’s master’s thesis focused on how Chesapeake Bay blue crab cannibalism affects the spread of a parasitic disease and overall population dynamics. Guennouni now works as a marine scientist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Learn More

Aswani K. Volety ‘95

Ph.D. in Marine Science
From starting out as a young marine scientist in India to becoming Chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Aswani Volety’s distinguished career underscores the global impact of a Batten School & VIMS education.
Learn More

Amy Nicholson '24

M.A. in Marine Science
Amy Nicholson M.A. ’24 uses a theater background to bring science lessons to life at the Virginia Living Museum following graduation from W&M's Batten School & VIMS. “It’s so much fun,” she said, “and what I learned at VIMS was so useful for teaching at the Living Museum."
Learn More

Daniel Royster '25

M.A. in Marine Science
Volunteering turned into part-time work, which turned into a full-time job and then enrollment in graduate school to study American Shad in the James River. After graduation, Royster accepted a position with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.
Learn More

Evan Flynn '25

Ph.D. in Marine Science
Flynn's doctoral research uncovered surprising insights into carbon storage in dynamic river delta systems. Her work, which spans the Ayeyarwady and Amazon deltas, has helped refine global carbon budget estimates and informed strategies for managing sediment.
Learn More

Thomas Ihde '06

Ph.D. in Marine Science
As a research assistant professor at Morgan State University’s Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL), Ihde specializes in Chesapeake Bay research, a field in which he developed expertise while earning his doctorate at the Batten School & VIMS.
Learn More

Claudia Moncada-Wireman '23

M.A. in Marine Science
Leaning on experiences from her time at W&M’s Batten School & VIMS, Claudia Moncada-Wireman M.A. ’23 leads educational programs at The Mariners' Museum and Park as a senior science educator. "All of it comes together in a really magical way," she said.
Learn More

John Pohlman '06

Ph.D. in Marine Science
Pohlman continued work at the Naval Research Laboratory as he earned his doctorate at the Batten School & VIMS. Now a research chemist for the USGS, he recently reflected on successfully merging professional projects and academic interests.
Learn More

Ann Arfken '18

Ph.D. in Marine Science
If there’s an outbreak of brain-eating amoebas, it’s good to know there’s a graduate of W&M’s Batten School & VIMS on the case. Ann Arfken Ph.D. ’18 uses bioinformatic skills refined in graduate school to investigate outbreak origins with the CDC.
Learn More

Joshua Bearman '08

M.S. in Marine Science
Realizing that research and academia weren't his passion, Bearman used his graduate degree to chart a path from music to public school education, and now to non-profit work providing environmental knowledge to students through experiential learning.
Learn More

Contact Us

Office of Academic Affairs

Address

Post Office Box 1346 1370 Greate Road (shipping) Gloucester Point, VA 23062

VIMS Campus Map

Contact Us