Dive into Your Future with the Masters in Marine Mammal Science (MIMMS) program on Sarasota Bay!
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 Bay is home to Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, led by the “Jane Goodall” of dolphin research, Dr. Randy Wells, who has focused on 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 are working to establish partnerships with Florida’s many animal-oriented agencies (e.g., the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, NOAA) as well as 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!
Students trained in this program will have multiple options for next steps after graduation. The skills required to study marine mammals in an interdisciplinary way, the focus of this program, are broadly applicable to advances in science, technology and medicine. The MIMMS degree program provides individuals with the post-baccalaureate training needed to pursue careers in research design and data analysis, comparative psychology, conservation biology, ecology, and marine mammal husbandry and training.
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!
MIMMS Faculty & Staff
Dr. Gordon Bauer
Visiting Professor of Psychology
Area of Concentration
Dr. Peter Cook
Associate Professor, Marine Mammal Science
Dr. Heidi Harley
Founder & Chief Research Officer, Marine Mammal Science / Peg Scripps Buzzelli Endowed Chair
Area of Concentration
Dr. Athena Rycyk
Associate Professor, Marine Mammal Science
Nicole Van Der Berg
Institute Coordinator
Dr. Amber Whittle
Director, Marine Mammal Science / Director of the Pritzker Marine Biology Research Center
Additional Information
Real-World Experience
Graduate students and their research are integrated into the Florida and Sarasota marine mammal communities, contributing data and findings concerning the state of Sarasota Bay and other Florida ecological systems and helping to determine potential management and research priorities. Ongoing monitoring and research help conserve our Bay and bring focus and funding to our area and the people and animals who make it home.
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.
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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.