About the Department

Objective

• To impart knowledge on emerging areas of ocean science and technology as a means of capacity building.
• To generate employable post-graduates in marine science for gainful employment in institutions related to ocean/marine sciences.
• To generate knowledgeable manpower for sustainable utilization of living & non-living resources of Ocean and Coastal systems.

Mission

"Capacity building to meet the challenges of natural and anthropogenic pressures and impacts on the ocean and coastal regimes"

All nations across the globe are focusing heavily on how to develop and use the ocean and its vast renewable and non-renewable resources. The ocean is the last remaining untapped area of the planet. It holds out hope for mankind to resolve issues such as shortage of food, drinking water, resources such as renewable energy, and environmental issues like global warming and climate change. Oceans, being sources of valuable metals and minerals including polymetalic nodules present in the deeper parts, necessitate the quest for deeper knowledge and development of viable technologies for exploring and exploiting these resources in a sustainable manner for the benefit of mankind. Ocean Science and Technology is a multi-disciplinary subject that includes marine geology, marine geophysics, marine chemistry, marine biology, marine microbiology, atmospheric science, marine archaeology, etc., thus providing vast career opportunities. The Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India has estimated the requirement of trained manpower needs in the field of ocean/marine science and technology to be around 1 million by 2012. Therefore, capacity-building is a pre-requisite for human resources development to address various facts of ocean and marine science and technology. Keeping these in view, the University of Madras has established a full-fledged Centre for Ocean and Coastal Studies (COCS) in 2007, with multi disciplinary facets for carrying out Research and Development (R&D) and human resources development programmes in the areas of coastal and ocean science, the interaction between land and sea with particular reference to climate change and ecosystem modifications in the coastal regions of peninsular India. Moving forward, the established COCS at University of Madras has been conducting academic programmes, practical, high-quality research that can resolve outstanding national and social issues and provide invaluable development services. The centre will also apply its scientific knowledge to protect, conserve and manage the ocean and marine ecosystems for sustainable development towards optimum utilization of resources for the benefit of community.

• Undertaking collaborative research and technology development programmes particularly in the areas of genetic diversity and sustainable harnessing of resources in the ocean and coastal regimes, with international institutes of repute and international network of Universities/institutions.
• Assessing the status of critical coastal and ocean habitats with the help of remote sensing and GIS.
• Introduction of community-based coastal zone management initiatives.
• Assessing coastal vulnerability and risk reduction strategies, disaster management/reduction.
• Introduction of Post-graduate degree course in 'Ocean Science & Technology'.
• Ocean awareness through seminars/symposia/conferences/workshops and media.

Based on the objectives and activities of the COCS, the following national and international institutions recognized this centre for conducting collaborative research programmes and students/faculty exchange programmes in ocean and marine science related areas. National Level

• University Grants Commission (UGC) recognized this centre and sanctioned a grant of 35 lakhs with one faculty position in the UGC XI Plan.
• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Pallikaranai, Chennai, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India has signed a MoU with the University of Madras to jointly conduct research in ocean and marine sciences and also to create Hatchery Facilities at Pallavakkam, East Coast of India.
• Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India has recognized our centre to set-up Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Cell (OASTC) on Biotechnology of Marine Resources
• CAS in Marine Biology, Annamalai University,
• National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) - Goa,
• Dept. of Marine Sciences, University of Calcutta,
• Central Institute for Brackish water Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai
• Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Chennai

International Level

• Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan
• Centre for Environmental Studies, Ehime University, Japan
• Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
• Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute, (KORDI) Korea.

The centre will undertake providing employment to the students with many entrepreneurs related to Marine sciences and Governmental Organizations such as NIOT and NIO for research  

Under progress with National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India.