About SCMI:
The Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI) represents a strategic alliance of 10 major universities in southern California. Ten universities from the California State University System representing the Ocean Studies Institute (Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona, San Bernardino and San Marcos) combined their marine resources with those of the University of Southern California, Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and Occidental College. These marine resources include the research vessels R/V SEAWATCH and R/V YELLOWFIN. Other resources include scientific equipment, and buildings (offices, laboratories, storage facilities, machine and wood shops) valued at over 1.3 million dollars. The facilities and docking space for the vessels are located on Terminal Island, in the heart of Los Angeles Harbor.
Employment Opportunities at SCMI - Visit the Staff Personnel Services Page at California State University of Long Beach’s website to view available Temporary/On-Call Positions at the Southern California Marine Institute for demonstration technicians and captains.
Services Available at SCMI: Education in Marine Science - The philosophy of SCMI is to provide marine expertise and hands-on experience to students at all levels. SCMI recognizes the importance of delivering compelling and exciting concepts in math and science to students at an early age. Marine science is an excellent vehicle to achieve this goal, and our staff have started specific programs to provide assistance to local school districts. These efforts will contribute to a reduction in the numbers of students who receive remediation as college freshmen.
Research in Marine Science - SCMI also serves as a center for identifying faculty with special expertise from member campuses, coordinating their efforts in preparing consortial proposals. SCMI also serves as the hub to dispatch information to all member campuses concerning research projects in progress, thereby avoiding duplication of efforts. To facilitate research efforts SCMI provides equipment, vessels, and personnel to perform the tasks necessary to achieve the highest and most efficacious level of research.
Environmental Monitoring - National and international efforts to understand and minimize human impact on oceans have led to local and federally imposed regulations on activities within ports, coastal zones, and open oceans. Consequently funding for constant monitoring of the health of these areas has increased, and SCMI has capitalized on these opportunities. The alliance of the consortial universities has decreased competition and led to a synergistic effort to seek contracts and grants in monitoring activities. Additionally, budgetary constraints among the universities in the last decade have forced high cost programs such as the marine sciences to seek outside funding to help support educational activities.
Public Outreach and Awareness - SCMI is dedicated to working with not only K-12, community college, and university students, but also with the general public to send a message that the ocean is a barometer reflecting human and industrial activities. Fractional permutations in physical oceanographic parameters of the ocean can cause major changes in climate, and abundance and distribution of marine organisms. SCMI has initiated programs to effect this mission, working with consortial campuses, local school districts, and other public entities already engaged in such public educational programs.
Facilities Available at SCMI:
- Wet and Dry Laboratory
- Indoor and Outdoor Flowing Seawater System
- Classrooms and Meeting Rooms
- Machine and Wood Shop
- Warehouse and Staging Area
- State-of-the Art Scientific Gear and Equipment
Special Programs - SCMI also offers intern programs for high school and college students, and other study programs.