Dauphin Island Sea Lab Campuses

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab serves as Alabama's Marine Research and Education Center, hosting a single 35-acre campus on the eastern end of Dauphin Island, bordered by Mobile Bay to the north and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. This prime coastal location facilitates immersive undergraduate and graduate programs in marine sciences through partnerships with the 21-member Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (MESC). Courses are taught by resident DISL faculty and visiting experts, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities including wet labs, flow-through mesocosms, research vessels like the R/V Alabama Discovery, the Multi-stressor Lab, and the Alabama Aquarium. The academic focus is on the oceanography, ecology, and biogeochemistry of northern Gulf estuaries and near-shore environments, with hands-on field work, scientific diving, and research opportunities emphasizing conservation, fisheries, and coastal policy.

• Marine Biology and Zoology: Marine Biology, Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Marine Vertebrate Zoology, Biodiversity of Coastal Organisms.
• Oceanography and Marine Geology: Intro to Oceanography, Marine Geology, Field & Lab Measurements.
• Marine Ecology: Marine Ecology, Coastal Wetlands Ecology, Marine Behavioral Ecology, Coral Reef Biology and Ecology, Marine Restoration Ecology.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture: Marine Aquaculture, ecosystem-based fisheries via Shelby Center.
• Conservation and Management: Marine Conservation Biology, Coastal Zone Management, Biology and Conservation of Marine Turtles, Coastal Birds.
• Marine Mammals and Specialized Fauna: Dolphins and Whales, Marine Mammals, Marine Mammal Health, Shark and Ray Biology.
• Technical and Applied Marine Science: Aquarium Science, Underwater Research & Field Operations, Marine Microbiology, Marine Botany, Environmental Applications of GIS, Professional Skills for Marine Scientists, Hurricanes of the Gulf Coast.

These offerings provide transformative education tailored to the unique coastal setting, fostering expertise in Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.