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College of Sciences
Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Understanding Our Planet

The oceans, atmosphere and landscape all influence one another. Faculty and researchers in our department work across these environments to tackle the grand scientific challenges of today and tomorrow. MEAS is dedicated to excellence in research, teaching and promoting an inclusive environment that allows all members of the department to thrive.

Puerto Rico field trip

Undergraduate Students

Your studies in the MEAS department build a strong foundation for future graduate study or work in the field.

Discover our majors
Will McClure - Marine Science research

Graduate Students

Joining the MEAS department opens many opportunities for your academic and professional career.

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Carli Arendt Explains Sea Level Rise Using Legos

Faculty and Researchers

Faculty, graduate students and other researchers represent a wide array of expertise in an ever-changing field.

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Blue Economy Innovation Program

Entrepreneurship-
NC State’s Blue Economy Innovation Program

The Blue Economy Innovation Program is solving problems on North Carolina’s coast by innovating sustainable solutions for coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

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95% Placement

Nearly all MEAS graduate degree recipients in the past five years found employment in their fields or went on to further graduate study.

Explore MEAS graduate studies

MEAS Monthly

Three images. One shows student Stephanie Ortiz holing hands in a heart shape while smiling and dressed in graduation regalia. The second image shows student Katherine Fowler making a wolfie hand sign while smiling and dressed in graduation regalia. The third image shows a student's red graduation cap decorated with blue felt and plastic sea creatures, with text reading 'sea yall later'

MEAS Monthly | Graduation Edition Spring 2026

We celebrate our grads in this semester’s departmental commencement ceremony.

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Upcoming Events

All Events
Jul 23

Thursday11:00 AM

MS Thesis Defense, Katie Pelt

What’s Happening

News and Features
Geologist Maggie Ellis Curry stands in front of the deep valleys of White Mesa in New Mexico

July 08, 2026

Geologist Maggie Ellis Curry Wins Prestigious NSF Award

Curry’s award for early-career faculty will support tectonics and critical minerals research as well as outreach efforts.
Sarah Larson stands with Helen Chen holding a plaque for the Outstanding Teacher Award

June 16, 2026

Associate Professor Sarah Larson Earns Outstanding Teacher Award

The award recognizes her commitment to educational excellence.
A woman smiles as she sticks a cord into an empty beaker in a lab.

June 03, 2026

UNC Space Grant Announces New Graduate Research Fellows for the 2026-2027 Year

North Carolina Space Grant is proud to announce 16 graduate research fellows for 2026-2027. These students, representing six different universities, will conduct science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) research to benefit NASA Mission Directorates. Students’ projects will investigate STEM topics such as exoplanet discovery with machine learning, plant and microbial adaptation to spaceflight, and next-generation spacesuit technologies.

In the News

Recent Research