Master’s in Marine Mammal Science

Student kneels next to pool, assisting professor in handling a live dolphin.

About MIMMS

Florida is rich in marine mammals and the scientists who study them. As a MIMMS student, you will be part of a focal program that collaborates with prestigious partners around marine mammal science. New College, housed on Sarasota Bay – home to the longest studied society of bottlenose dolphins in the world, brings together Florida’s marine mammal scientists to support student work and marine mammal welfare in our state. This program offers faculty expertise in marine mammal science through Professors Gordon Bauer (Emeritus), Peter Cook, Heidi Harley, and Athena Rycyk. Sarasota is home to the Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, led by the “Jane Goodall” of dolphin research, Dr. Randy Wells, who has led the study of these animals for more than 50 years across six generations of dolphins.

MIMMS has partnered with the Aquatic Animal Health Program in the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, which has strong ties to MIMMS marine mammal scientists and in the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program. Together, these partners have forged a unique, world-class program for marine mammal science in Florida, to build on our assets and extend our opportunities. Although we have begun with these experts, we aim to expand within the State University System which houses many robust programs in marine sciences. We will also work to establish partnerships with Florida’s many animal-oriented agencies (e.g., the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, NOAA), NGOs (e.g., the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership), and plethora of zoos and aquariums (e.g., Clearwater Marine Aquarium).

Having a prestigious world-class program unique to Florida and the U.S. allows us to share resources, produce more and better informed science benefitting Florida’s remarkable marine mammals, and attract students such as yourself!

MIMMS MISSION: An interdisciplinary academic center providing research and graduate/undergraduate education of the highest quality in marine mammal science through the collaboration of experts and students dedicated to scientific excellence, marine mammal conservation, and outreach.

 

Career Opportunities in Marine Mammal Science!

Fall 2025 Applications Now Available

Are you ready to take the next step and immerse yourself in the study of marine mammals? Start your application today!

Real-World Experience

student with seal

Study by the Seaside

Regularly ranked among the best places to live in the US, Sarasota is famous for its beautiful Gulf beaches, plethora of arts and cultural institutions, and year-round warm weather.

Marine Mammal Science In the News

Sarasota Magazine logo
Researchers hold down live shark on research vessel.
two students handle dolphin at rehabilitation facility
New College Assistant Professor of Psychology Peter Cook, Ph.D.
JASA logo

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Accreditation

New College of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Bachelor’s degrees and Master’s degrees.

Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679-4500, at www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of New College of Florida.