University of MarylandCenter for Environmental Science

Guiding our state, nation, and world toward a more sustainable future.

Research Highlights

Science at Sea

I was just 55 miles from the nearest land, but it felt as though it could have been hundreds of miles away. The opportunity to join 15 scientists for six days off the coast of Bermuda gave me a great perspective on how important the world’s oceans are to our planet.
Scientist Michael Gonsior on deck of research vessel looking out onto the deep Atlantic Ocean

Research Highlights

Restoring streams

Streams are complex ecosystems. Researcher Bob Hilderbrand is looking at whether the costly restoration of degraded streams in Maryland is effective, or even possible.
close up of clear mountain stream with floating fall leaves and rocks on bottom

Research Highlights

Climate of North American cities will shift hundreds of miles in one generation

In one generation, the climate experienced in many North American cities is projected to change to that of locations hundreds of miles away—or to a new climate unlike any found in North America today. A new study and interactive web application aim to help the public understand how climate change will impact the lives of people who live in urban areas of the United States and Canada.
city skyline under burning sun

Our Campuses

Appalachian Laboratory
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Chesapeake Biological Laboratory
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Horn Point Laboratory
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Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology
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Integration & Application Network
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Water meets marsh and land
Maryland Sea Grant College
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Appalachian Laboratory

Located in the mountains of western Maryland, the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, scientists study the effects of land-use change on the freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems of the region, how they function in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and how human activity may influence their health and sustainability on local, regional, and global scales.
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Chesapeake Biological Laboratory

Located where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay, the oldest publicly supported marine laboratory on the East Coast is a national leader in research on fisheries, estuarine ecology, environmental chemistry, and toxicology research of the Chesapeake Bay and aquatic ecosystem around the globe.
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Horn Point Laboratory

From the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, scientists engage in world-renowned research in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish, and expertise in ecosystem modeling.
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Institute of Marine & Environmental Technology

Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, scientists pursue cutting-edge research in microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology, using marine microbes to develop alternative energy, and supporting sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.
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Integration & Application Network

The Integration and Application Network (IAN) is a dedicated group of scientists intent on solving, not just studying environmental problems.
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Maryland Sea Grant College

Fostering strong connections between researchers and natural resource managers working to restore the Chesapeake Bay.
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Applied Ecology & Conservation Biology

Gain scientific training in addressing conservation issues, especially those pertaining to the persistence of native communities in a changing environment, landscape fragmentation, conservation/development conflicts, watershed assessment, and integrated resource management.
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Earth & Ocean Sciences

Students explore the movement and transformation of materials and energy between mountain headwater and estuarine, coastal, and oceanic systems. Topics include landscape dynamics, physical circulation and transport, chemical transformation, and biological reaction.
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Ecological Systems

Spanning the Arctic to the Chesapeake Bay, students study a variety of topics, from landscape ecology to ecological genomics, to fisheries stock assessment. Research is focused on understanding the interactions between organisms and their environment, leading to valuable scientific discovery.
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Environment & Society

Integrating the social and environmental sciences, students will study concepts including coupled natural and human systems, cultural models of the environment, political ecology, participation and governance, ecological economics, and environmental ethics.
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Environmental Molecular Science & Technology

Students use current molecular approaches to study biodiversity, bioremediation, food chains, discovery of drugs and enzymes from marine microbes and macoorganisms, sustainable aquaculture, biofuels, biogeochemistry of carbon cycling, and genomics/metabolomics of marine organisms.
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Molecular Medicine & Toxicology

Developing scientists can pursue training in molecular and mechanistic toxicology and toxicology and environmental health, including mechanisms of cell injury, carcinogenesis, reproductive toxicology, neurotoxicology, aquatic toxicology, and environmental epidemiology and toxicology.
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Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

Learn to take the lead in this program that provides interactive, multifaceted education, and research training to present students a comprehensive education in molecular and cell biology, microbiology and immunology.
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Wildlife & Fisheries Biology

This program will prepare you for research and management positions within the public and private sectors. The program allows flexibility, yet offers courses necessary for certification as a biologist with various professional organizations.
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What's New

E.U. Ambassadors discuss climate crisis at public forum

European Union Ambassadors to the United States spoke at a public forum at IMET in Baltimore on what their countries are doing to address the growing climate crisis.

Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas, is on the rise

A new study from an international group of scientists finds we are releasing more of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide into the atmosphere than previously thought.

UMCES scientists complete study on Conowingo Dam and impact on Chesapeake Bay

UMCES scientists have completed a study to understand the potential impacts of nutrient pollution associated with sediment transported from behind the Conowingo Dam to the Chesapeake Bay.