School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

What School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences does

The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) is the State University of New York's designated center for marine and atmospheric science, operating as an academic unit within Stony Brook University since 2007 and tracing its origins to the 1965 Marine Sciences Research Center. It educates more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students and employs 90 faculty and staff representing 16 nationalities, offering 8 undergraduate degree programs and 9 minors (including a new Climate Sciences major and Climate Solutions minor) alongside M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. tracks in Marine, Atmospheric, and Sustainability Sciences and Marine Conservation and Policy. Four faculty members contributed to the IPCC's Nobel Peace Prize work, and the school is ranked #4 Best College in Marine Biology by College Magazine.

SoMAS operates an extensive research infrastructure platform anchored on three sites: the Stony Brook South Campus, the Southampton Marine Sciences Center (a Silver LEED-certified facility with indoor seawater labs and Atlantic docking), and the R. Lawrence Swanson Marine Laboratory at Flax Pond. Distinctive technical assets include a fleet of seven research vessels (R/V Seawolf, R/V Pritchard, R/V Privateer, R/V Parker, R/V Paumanok, R/V Peconic, R/V Shinnecock), the NSF-funded Nano-RAMAN Molecular Imaging Laboratory (NARMIL), the Radar Observatory, a mobile radar truck (SMART trailer), real-time weather and tide monitoring stations, and an AAUS-accredited scientific diving program. Revenue mechanics flow through SUNY/state appropriations, tuition (with graduate assistantships covering stipend and tuition), and competitive research grants from NSF, NOAA, NASA, DOE, NY State DEC, and Bloomberg Philanthropies; standalone financial figures are not disclosed.

The school's go-to-market is primarily direct-to-student via the Stony Brook admissions channel, complemented by event-driven community engagement (Semester by the Sea, public weather and tide data, outreach events). Customer relationships extend beyond students to federal and state agencies, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cornell University, NY Sea Grant, the Peconic Estuary Partnership, and the National Weather Service for collaborative research, indicating a horizontally diversified stakeholder base anchored in public-sector science rather than commercial revenue concentration.

Name

School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

Legal name

School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University

Website

https://somas.stonybrook.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SoMAS is SUNY's designated center for marine and atmospheric sciences within Stony Brook University, educating 500+ students across undergraduate, M.A./M.S./Ph.D., and certificate programs while operating research vessels, seawater labs, radar observatories, and NARMIL for coastal and atmospheric research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education - Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Test Facilities (IMAJABAN), Maritime Safety Management Systems & Training (ISM/ISO 45001, Drills, Competency) (TLAHANAF)

Keywords

• Marine sciences education
• Atmospheric sciences research
• Sustainability studies
• Oceanographic research
• Graduate degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Stony Brook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and University Funding: As a school within Stony Brook University (SUNY system), SoMAS operates primarily through state funding and tuition revenue from its degree programs. The school generates value through research grants, fellowships, and educational services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SoMAS is an academic school at Stony Brook University offering 8 undergraduate degree programs and graduate (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) programs in Marine, Atmospheric, and Sustainability Sciences and Marine Conservation and Policy, plus certificate programs. Educational delivery is supported by research infrastructure including the Southampton Marine Sciences Center, Flax Pond Marine Laboratory, an indoor seawater lab, the NARMIL imaging facility, a Radar Observatory, and a fleet of research vessels. Public-facing weather and tide data services are also provided through Long Island monitoring stations and LIShore.org.

Product overview

SoMAS operates as an academic institution within Stony Brook University offering a unified educational portfolio of 8 undergraduate degree programs, graduate degrees (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) in Marine, Atmospheric, and Sustainability Sciences, and certificate programs such as the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Science. These academic programs are supported by extensive research infrastructure including the Southampton Marine Sciences Center with its indoor seawater labs, the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory, the Nano-RAMAN Molecular Imaging Laboratory, the Radar Observatory, the Instrument Laboratory (eShop), and a fleet of research vessels. SoMAS also provides public-facing data services including real-time weather and tide observation systems across Long Island. The institution functions as SUNY's designated center for marine sciences with interdisciplinary research spanning biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and sustainability studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Eight undergraduate degree programs (Marine Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Sciences, Coastal Environmental Sciences, Environmental Design Policy and Planning, Environmental Studies, Marine Vertebrate Biology, and Sustainability Studies) along with nine minors including the Climate Solutions minor; for prospective undergraduate students.
• Graduate Degree Programs (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) Over 100 M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. students in Marine, Atmospheric, and Sustainability Sciences and Marine Conservation and Policy, stressing rigorous interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.
• Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Program M.S. and Ph.D. programs developing skills in analytical, numerical, laboratory, and field work techniques for research on extreme weather, air quality, cloud processes, ocean-atmosphere interactions, climate change, remote sensing, and forecasting.
• Advanced Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Science A 15-credit graduate certificate program offering advanced GIS and remote sensing knowledge with industry-recognized credentials, delivered through the Geospatial Center.
• Marine and Atmospheric Research Facilities Access State-of-the-art research infrastructure access including the R. Lawrence Swanson Marine Laboratory at Flax Pond, Southampton Marine Sciences Center, Nano-RAMAN Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Radar Observatory, Instrument Laboratory, and research vessels. Available to faculty, students, and external research collaborators.
• Weather and Tide Observation Systems (LIShore.org) Real-time weather and tide data systems operated across Long Island, including three weather stations at Stony Brook University Lot 40, Southampton Marine Station, and Health Sciences Center, plus webcams; data publicly accessible via LIShore.org.
• Scientific Diving Program AAUS-compliant scientific diving program for scientists and students meeting American Academy of Underwater Sciences standards for conducting underwater research and educational objectives.
• Research Vessel Fleet Charter Access Fleet of research vessels including R/V Seawolf (extended research trips), R/V Pritchard (near-shore bays), R/V Parker, R/V Paumanok, R/V Peconic, R/V Shinnecock, and smaller vessels for coastal and oceanic research, available for charter and collaborative research use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 graduate students and 500+ total students trained in marine and atmospheric sciences annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEC partners with SoMAS on the Flax Pond Marine Laboratory ownership and operation, marine disease and pathology research through the Marine Disease and Pathology Research Consortium, and Peconic Estuary Partnership for water quality and ecosystem health.
• Cornell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornell University is a key partner in the Marine Disease and Pathology Research Consortium established in 2000, collaborating on marine animal disease research and pathology.
• New York Sea Grant ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYSG partners with SoMAS on coastal research, outreach, and education across New York State's coastal communities. NYSG is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in coastal programming.
• Brookhaven National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with SoMAS on atmospheric and marine research. Students and faculty can tap into resources at this nearby national laboratory for research opportunities.
• Laboratory of Cold Spring HarborminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner providing additional resources for SoMAS students and faculty in marine and molecular biology research.
• Long Island UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Marine Animal Disease Laboratory initiative along with New York State Health Department and Department of Agriculture and Markets.
• American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStony Brook University is a member of AAUS, adheres to AAUS standards for scientific diving operations and diver training, and supports diving reciprocity between AAUS member organizations.
• National Weather ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearby National Weather Service facility provides resources and collaboration opportunities for SoMAS atmospheric sciences students and faculty.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Scripps is the largest and one of the most prominent U.S. marine and atmospheric research institutions at UC San Diego. It directly competes with SoMAS for top faculty, graduate students, and federal research grants, with overlapping programs in oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and climate research.
• College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (Oregon State University): Oregon State's CEOAS is a comprehensive earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, with research vessels and major federal research funding. Comparable in academic scope and research intensity to SoMAS.
• University of New Hampshire (Earth Sciences and Oceanography): UNH houses ocean mapping, marine sciences, and earth sciences programs with East Coast research missions. Comparable to SoMAS for Northeast U.S. marine science talent and federal research competition.
• Duke University Marine Laboratory: Duke Marine Lab is a marine science education and research facility offering graduate and undergraduate programs. Comparable to SoMAS in field-station-based marine education, with a stronger private-university affiliation and larger endowment.
• University of Washington School of Oceanography: UW School of Oceanography is a premier oceanographic research and education program on the U.S. West Coast, with major research-vessel operations and federal funding. Directly comparable to SoMAS in mission and structure, though with a Pacific rather than Atlantic focus.
• Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory conducts research in atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climate, and geophysics with a graduate-level training program. Comparable to SoMAS in atmospheric and ocean research scope, with a significantly larger endowment and global brand.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: WHOI is the largest private nonprofit oceanographic research institution in the U.S., leading research in marine science, ocean engineering, and ocean-climate interactions. Closely comparable to SoMAS in mission and research focus, though structured as an independent research institution rather than a university school.
• University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography: URI GSO is a major East Coast oceanographic graduate school with research vessels and coastal facilities, located on the Northeast U.S. seaboard. Directly competes with SoMAS for marine science students, federal funding, and industry partnerships in the Northeast.
• Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science: University of Miami's Rosenstiel School is the most direct functional peer to SoMAS, combining marine, atmospheric, and earth science education and research. Both institutions offer undergraduate and graduate degrees with research-vessel-based field programs and coastal research facilities.
• University of Delaware School of Marine Science and Policy: UD's School of Marine Science and Policy is a Mid-Atlantic marine sciences education and research program with graduate-level offerings. Comparable to SoMAS in East Coast mission, federal research funding, and ocean-policy research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/somas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SBUSoMAS
• Facebookfacebook.com/somas.sbu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school-of-marine-and-atmospheric-sciences
• Instagraminstagram.com/somas.sbu
• TikToktiktok.com/@somas.sbu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences