WHOI at a Glance

WHOI is an independent, non-profit research and education institution located on Cape Cod (Massachusetts) about 70 miles south of Boston and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). WHOI’s leadership in ocean science and engineering has resulted in a long line of notable discoveries and advancements in knowledge of the ocean. WHOI research ranges from studies of the distribution and role of microbes in the marine environment, to dynamics of ocean currents and ocean mixing, to the discovery of life in the deep ocean near hydrothermal vents, to a deeper understanding of the nature and impacts of hydrocarbons in the ocean. WHOI is recognized as a world leader for developing revolutionary new tools and techniques to study the ocean, including advanced human-occupied and autonomous vehicles.

In addition to scientific research and technical innovation, education has been a critical part of WHOI’s mission for many decades. Programs include the MIT-WHOI Joint Program in ocean science and ocean engineering with 125 graduate students in residence; NSF- and privately-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program involving 30 undergraduates each summer; and a postdoctoral program with 80-100 postdocs in residence at any given time.