University Department of Marine Studies in Split was established on May 22nd 1998 by the Resolution of the University of Split Governing Committee, and at that time was named Department of Maritime Affairs, renamed after by the same Committee at the proposal of the University of Split Senate, on July 13th 1998 to Department of Marine Science and Maritime Affairs. Department consisted of three graduate programmes:
- Marine Fishery
- Marine Biology and Ecology
- Maritime Affairs
On May 15th 2003 by the Resolution of the University of Split Senate, the graduate study of Maritime Affairs adjoins Maritime Faculty in Split and Department changes its name to Department of Marine Sciences. On January 26th 2006 the University of Split Senate reaches the decision to give the Department its official name University Center of Marine Studies in Split. On September 26th 2011 the University Senate brought up a decision to change the name to the University Department of Marine Studies, which is still current.
In respect to historical importance in the Department's foundation, it is crucial to mention The Department of Sea-Fishing Technology, established by the Resolution of Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Croatia on June 5th 1991 as a component of Maritime Faculty in Dubrovnik, jointly organized by the Maritime Faculty and Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split. The Department of Sea-Fishing Technology registered first students in the academic year 1991/1992; the study lasted four years offering the academic title of graduated engineer of maritime traffic. This study ended in 1998, when it was adjoined to newly founded Department of Sea and Maritime Studies at University of Split as four years undergraduate University program Marine Fishery. Therefore, we can say that the Department of Sea-Fishing Technology was the pioneer of today’s University Department of Marine Studies and the year 1991, when it was organized at Maritime Faculty Dubrovnik, study in Split, as the year of establishment of today’s Department.
Department of Marine Studies is the branch and organizational unit of University of Split offering undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies about the sea, its richness, marine fishery, biological oceanography and marine ecology.
Today University Department of Marine Studies organizes two undergraduate and two graduate studies and one University postgraduate study.
Undergraduate programmes are:
- MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
- MARINE FISHERY
Graduate programmes are:
- MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
- MARINE FISHERY
University Postgraduate programme is:
On the University Department of Marine Studies in Split, only regular classes are performed.