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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.

See what we offer
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.

Learn who’s who
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.

Read more

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.

Read the latest

Upcoming Events

All Events
Aug 25

Tuesday9:00 AM

Coffee and Treats
Aug 28

Friday3:30 PM

MEAS Seminar – Dr. Muhammad Shafique
Sep 08

Tuesday8:45 AM

CaSA Conversations: El Niño: Ag, Ecosystems and Communities

What’s Happening

News and Features
A lava flow creeps through the Iceland landscape

August 19, 2026

Setting the Record Straight on Volcanoes 

An NC State expert and international team of scientists dispel the most common — and most dangerous — volcano misconceptions
The Memorial Belltower surrounded by fall leaves.

August 17, 2026

Meet Our Newest Faculty

The College of Sciences is welcoming eight new faculty members this fall.
Rebecca Moore crouches down on the rooftop of Jordan Hall to prepare equipment for a weather ballon launch.

August 14, 2026

Launching Weather Balloons and Careers at NC State

In the winter of 2026, NC State’s Sounding Club participated in a program to improve forecasting for atmospheric rivers and other high-impact weather events.

In the News

Recent Research