The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)[1] is one of Europe's leading marine science research organisations and one of the oldest oceanographic organisations in the world. Sited beside Dunstaffnage Castle, in Argyll, Scotland, the institute carries out advanced research in the marine environment, including polar research in the Arctic [2] and Antarctic.
In addition to marine research, in the fields of marine processes and climate change, renewable energy, the Arctic, marine prosperity and sustainability, and mining impacts, the institute has a commercial branch and an education department. Students study for the B.Sc.(Hons) in marine science, for Masters and for Ph.D.s.
SAMS hosts the National Facility for Scientific Diving [3] and the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa[4]
It is an independent collaborative centre of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)[5] and an academic partner to the UHI Millennium Institute.[6] It officially became part of the University of the Highlands and Islands in February 2011.
SAMS is also a member of the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS), and leads the MASTS Graduate School. On the 28th of may , SAMS had an 'open day'.