Morehead City Field Site (MCFS)

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Location

The Institute for the Environment's Morehead City Field Site (MCFS) is located at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) in Morehead City, North Carolina. IMS is strategically located in North Carolina's central coastal region on 6.5 acres of waterfront property on Bogue Sound. The region is rich in estuarine and wetland habitats and includes the large embayments (e.g., Core, Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds) and estuaries (e.g. Neuse and Newport) that are typical of North Carolina's coast and tied to much of its seafood production.

Field study opportunities will take students to nearby areas, with a focus on the well characterized Neuse River Estuary-Pamlico Sound system. Pamlico Sound is the second largest lagoonal estuary in the country, and the site of dynamic larval fish and invertebrate activity. It is also the site of extensive research focus on eutrophication and water quality, led by researchers at IMS. Deployment of field site boats permits the students to gain access and direct interaction with the local rivers, creeks, estuaries and coastal areas, as well as the ecologically significant Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout areas.

Timing

Currently, the MCFS is only offered during the fall semester.

Award Opportunities

Please visit the Institute's Awards & Scholarships page for more information on these awards

Coursework

Students who enroll at the MCFS take the following courses:

ENST 204 : Seminar in marine issues. (2 hours)
ENST 698 : Capstone (3 hours)
ENST 395 : Research in Environmental Science and Studies for Undergraduates (3 hours)
ENST 471: Human Impacts on Estuarine Processes (4 hours)
ENST 472: Coastal and Estuarine Ecology (4 hours)

Coursework for this field site would be suitable for students pursuing a concentration area in Ecology, Earth System Science and Environment and Health.

Students typically spend 2 days a week in classes, 2 days at internships with local institutions or conducting independent research projects with resident faculty, and 1 day on field excursions.

Faculty

All faculty at IMS participate in teaching and mentoring field site students at the MCFS. In particular:

ENST 204, Seminar in marine issues is taught by Johanna Rosman and Rachel Noble
ENST 471, Human Impacts on Estuarine Processes is led by Dr. Rachel Noble with guest lectures from faculty members Hans Paerl, Rick Luettich, Tony Rodriguez, and Mike Piehler
ENST 472, Coastal and Estuarine Ecology is taught by Pete Peterson