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The federal government has been the major supporter of ocean science in the United 



States since the end of World War II. Advances in ocean science have been accomplished 

 largely by federal agencies joining with individual scientists in academia to form productive 

 partnerships. These partnerships have advanced ocean science, providing many benefits to 

 society. I would like to briefly review the human, physical, and fiscal resources presently 

 available in the United States and how they affect our capability to cnnHuct ocean science. 



Human ■ . • 



Public and private institutions have developed an excellent graduate education system 

 in the United States, yielding individuals employed in government, academia, and the private 

 sector. According to a survey conducted by the OSB, the number of Ph.D. -level academic 

 scientists in the United States increased about 70 percent from 1980 to 1990. This period of 

 growth has ended, because the number of Ph.D. -level academic scientists has remained 

 relatively constant during the past 4 years. Moreover, acceptance of incoming students in 

 oceanographic graduate programs decreased about 30 percent from 1992 to 1995. However, 

 the United States still possesses a significant human resource to conduct ocean science and a 

 tradition of excellence in ocean science education. 



Excellence in ocean science education can benefit general science education as a 

 whole in the United States, because ocean science is a topic that excites students of all ages. 

 For example, ocean science is used in K-12 education as a vehicle to develop interest in 

 science, ultimately helping increase our nation's scientific literacy. Admiral Watkins, a 



