Marine Science Institute

The Marine Science Institute
Type Institute
Established March 28, 1974 (as Marine Sciences Center)
April 23, 1985 (as Marine Science Institute)
Director Dr. Fernando Siringan
Location UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Website www.msi.upd.edu.ph

The Marine Science Institute (MSI) is one of seven academic institutes of the University of the Philippines' College of Science. It is housed in its own building complex within the UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City. The Marine Science Institute offers MSc and PhD degrees in Marine Science. Students taking either degree are asked to choose to specialize in a specific field, either Marine Biology, Marine Physical Science or Marine Biotechnology. MSI is the leading center for marine and coastal research in the Philippines.

History

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) was originally established as the Marine Sciences Center (MSC) with the approval of its charter by the Board of Regents on 28 March 1974.

MSC served as the University's coordinating base for marine research. In June of the same year, the first Advisory Executive Council of the Center was formed with the appointment of Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez as acting Director. The Center commenced its operations in February 1975 at the building of the U.P. Natural Sciences Research Institute. With its transformation into an institute on 23 April 1985, UPMSI began offering graduate programs.

It is now tasked to pursue research, teaching, and extension work in marine biology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography, marine geology, and related disciplines.Various graduate courses are offered by the institute. In addition to its plethora of graduate courses, the institute also offers several introductory courses for interested undergraduates.

Research interests

The institute engages in various avenues of research within the marine sciences from oceanography, marine biology and marine biotechnology.

The largest phycological herbarium in the country – the G.T. Velasquez Herbarium was founded here by Professor Gavino Trono.[1] It has over 55, 000 dried specimens from 70 countries. 96% of these are seaweed.[2]

People

The Marine Science Institute has three National Scientists in its history: Lourdes Cruz, Edgardo Gomez and Gavino Trono.

References

  1. Sabillo, Kristine Angelli (August 12, 2014). "Who are the 4 new National Scientists of PH?". Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  2. New Herborium, upd.edu, retrieved 29 August 2014

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 1/23/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.