- About
- With 500+ faculty, staff and students and three campus locations, the Batten School & VIMS are equipped to tackle pressing challenges through research, education and advisory service.
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- Research & Advisory
- Purple marsh crabs are significantly disrupting carbon cycling in salt marshes along the East Coast of the U.S., according to a study led by Batten School & VIMS scientists.
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- Batten School
- The R. Todd Stravitz Scholars Program will provide full tuition support for students pursuing the new bachelor’s degree in coastal & marine sciences at the Batten School & VIMS.
  
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- Engage
- Popular, free camps enable rising third through eighth graders to learn about the Chesapeake Bay, coastal ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
  
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- News & Events
- National TRAP Program funds large-scale cleanup of discarded fishing gear, first round of subawards totaling more than $1.4M supports 11 projects focused on removing derelict fishing gear from coastal waters in nine U.S. states and Palau.
  
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- Giving
- As an expression of parental pride in their daughter, Taylor Spencer ‘83 and Martha Spencer recently established an undergraduate field research endowment at the Batten School & VIMS.
  
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Frequently Asked Questions

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I am a current W&M student interested in Coastal & Marine Sciences. Who do I contact if I have questions? Current W&M students who are interested in the major may contact the Coastal & Marine Sciences Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Christopher Hein or the Batten School & VIMS Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Jennifer Dahnke (804-684-7256) with any questions. Current W&M students who are interested in the minor may contact the co-directors of the minor, Dr. Christopher Hein or Dr. Junping Shi with any questions.
I am a current high school or prospective transfer student interested in studying coastal and marine sciences at William & Mary. Who do I contact if I have questions? Specific questions related to the Coastal & Marine Sciences Major may be addressed to the Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Christopher Hein or the Batten School & VIMS Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Jennifer Dahnke (804-684-7256). Those interested in the Marine Science Minor may contact the co-directors of the minor, Dr. Christopher Hein or Dr. Junping Shi with any questions. However, we stress that students looking to major or minor in coastal and marine sciences at William & Mary first must be accepted into the college and start their coursework, and then declare that major/minor after several semesters. More here. Prospective undergraduate students can learn more about W&M through the university's Undergraduate Admissions Office. There are several main campus visit opportunities available. The Coastal & Marine Sciences program generally participates in the Day for Admitted Students event every spring.
How can I visit and tour the Batten School & VIMS? The W&M Batten School for Coastal & Marine Sciences is located at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science campus in Gloucester Point, VA (about 30 minutes from the W&M Williamsburg main campus). The Batten School & VIMS is primarily a research and graduate campus. We do not currently offer regular tours to prospective undergraduate students (information on tours of the W&M Williamsburg main campus can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions website). VIMS does offer several public programs such as summer tours and our large open house, Marine Science Day. We fully welcome prospective students to all of these!
How do I declare a major in Coastal & Marine Sciences? Students wanting to declare a major in Coastal & Marine Sciences will need to apply to the program, generally during their sophomore year for entry in their junior year. Applications will open annually with a due date in early January. For more see our Admissions Webpage. The major itself will eventually accept up to 25 to 30 students per year. However, the intention is to start small and slowly increase the class size in the coming years by balancing student demand and the Batten's School's high-engagement approach.
How do I declare a minor in Marine Science? Students can declare a minor in Marine Science up until their final semester at William & Mary. However, we encourage students to declare their minor early so that we can provide advice and guidance throughout their degree program. If you are interested in declaring a minor in Marine Science, please email co-directors Dr. Christopher Hein or Dr. Junping Shi. Declaration of Academic Minor Form
Will majors need to travel to the Batten School & VIMS campus to take marine science courses? With the exception of the required Major Immersion Semester and optional field courses, all courses in Coastal & Marine Sciences are offered in-person on the W&M Williamsburg campus. Round-trip transportation between the W&M Williamsburg and the Batten School / VIMS Gloucester Point campuses will be provided to students during their immersion semester. Further details on additional transportation to be provided for students outside of the immersion semester will be provided starting in Fall 2025.
Do I need to travel to the Batten School & VIMS campus to take marine science courses? Majors in Marine Science will need to complete the Major Immersion Semester at W&M's Batten School & VIMS campus during their first semester in the major program (fall of junior year). During the major's immersion semester, students will be expected to attend all classes at the Batten School & VIMS campus. Round-trip transportation between the W&M Williamsburg and the Batten School / VIMS Gloucester Point campuses will be provided to students during their immersion semester. With the exception of field courses such as those at the Eastern Shore Lab and in Wales, all other marine science courses are offered on the Williamsburg campus. The vast majority are offered in-person, though occasional optional electives may be delivered from VIMS through distance-learning technology. However, to complement coursework, we encourage students to visit the VIMS campus and explore the many opportunities it offers including world-class research facilities, opportunities to participate in research with faculty and graduate students, and an interesting and diverse program of seminars and public presentations.
Is transportation currently available between the Williamsburg and Gloucester Point campuses? Transportation is currently not available through Summer 2025. The Marine Science Society currently operates an informal carpool between the campuses. Reach out to their leadership, or to co-director Dr. Christopher Hein, with questions. Starting in Fall 2025, round-trip transportation between the W&M Williamsburg and the Batten School / VIMS Gloucester Point campuses will be available at least Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Priority will be for students in the Immersion Semester, but we welcome all to take advantage of this service. A schedule will be posted to the website when it becomes available in advance of the fall semester.
Will the Coastal & Marine Sciences major be a primary major? Yes! The Coastal & Sciences major is available as a primary major at W&M. Students may also choose to pursue a second major or a minor in a different discipline. Coastal & Marine Sciences majors are not permitted to also have a Marine Science minor.
Are there any W&M student organizations I can join to explore my interests? Yes, two in fact! The Marine Science Society (MSS) welcomes students who are passionate and curious about the field of marine science. Members are introduced to resources in marine sciences and connected with others interested in discussing topics related to today's ocean and coastal environments. The local chapter of the Aquaculture Collective (AquaCo) is a student-led (graduate & undergraduate) organization focused on aquaculture research, education, and outreach. It fosters collaboration between students, faculty, and industry stakeholders, serving as a hub for learning and engagement in the field of shellfish aquaculture.