Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center

The Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center (NSUOC) has recognized expertise in basic and applied research in both physical oceanography and biological oceanography as well as an active graduate and undergraduate education program. The Mission of the Oceanographic Center is to carry out innovative basic and applied research, and to provide high-quality graduate and undergraduate education, in a broad range of marine-science and related disciplines. The Center also serves as a community resource for information, research and education on oceanographic and environmental issues.

NSUOC brings considerable assets in location, personnel and equipment to the SFOMC. Located on a 10 acre site, physically contiguous to SFTF, NSUOC has three buildings housing faculty offices, laboratories, administration, classrooms, machine shop, electronics laboratory, and other facilities. In addition, there is a large warehouse, an operational marina, and small vessels. The faculty consists of researchers and educators in the fields of physical oceanography and marine biology and biogeological oceanography. Educational activities include offering a Ph.D. in Oceanography and MS degrees in three majors: Coastal Zone Management, Marine Environmental Sciences, and Marine biology. BS degrees are also offered in Life Sciences and Ocean Studies. Researchers at NSUOC address issues in physical oceanography theory and modeling, studies of microstructure, turbulence and internal waves in the upper ocean. They also perform environmental stewardship, monitoring, and assessment. This combination of resources and broad-based expertise provides the ability to support a variety of biological and physical oceanographic programs.

In terms of direct SFOMC biological interactions, NSUOC has recently established a National Coral Reef Institute, initially funded by Congress through NOAA. The institute (NCRI) will work through NSUOC with SFOMC, initially conducting baseline mapping of coral reefs and other biological resources within the range. Early work also includes evaluation of AUV's as reef assessment tools and environmental stewardship of range biological resources. Initial physical oceanographic experimentation at SFTF, in conjunction with USF scientists, includes providing 3-dimensional data for the study of dominant modes of interaction between the nearby Gulf Stream and the shelf/near-shore circulation; the structure and time scales of upwelling and downwelling events; and the internal-wave field within the range.

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If you would like additional information, please contact:

Mr. Tom Metz, Detachment Director, South Florida Testing Facility Telephone: (954) 926-4000 Fax: (954) 926-4031