IMarEST has defined marine science as 'the body of and quest for fundamental knowledge and understanding of all things natural in the marine environment; their structure, properties and how they behave in response to human perturbation.' Marine scientists are employed in all manners of occupations that, in some way, fulfill this definition. They, and marine technologists, became eligible to join the Institute as Corporate members in October 2001 when the IMarEST, with its broader remit, changed its name from The Institute of Marine Engineers.

Since then a number of hydrographers, oceanographers and environmental scientists have already joined the Institute's membership into Corporate membership categories. To become a Corporate member, i.e., Fellow (FIMarEST), Member (MIMarEST), Associate Member (AMIMarEST) or Associate (AIMarEST) applicants must first demonstrate the appropriate professional competence and commitment at Professional Review.

This is exactly the same process that marine engineers, wishing to join, must follow and with equivalent qualifications. The Institute will offer membership to hydrographers, marine biologists, geologists, oceanographers, petrochemical chemists, physicists, meteorologists and, indeed, any other suitably qualified scientists.

Marine scientists, who have not yet met the entry criteria for Corporate membership can, of course, join as Student members, Graduate members or Affiliates and still benefit from all of the services on offer to Corporate members. Marine scientists with the competence and commitment required of Member (MIMarEST) or Fellow (FIMarEST), and who also hold suitable higher academic science qualificationsmay be eligible to register as 'Chartered Marine Scientist' and use the corresponding designatory letters 'CMarSci'.

The total formation process for a Chartered Marine Scientist is exactly equivalent to that of a Chartered Marine Engineer (CEng). The Institute is a founder member of the newly formed Science Council (UK). It is through this relationship that it is actively involved in the development of national formation standards and procedures being planned for the registration of 'Chartered Scientists'. The innovative work that the Institute has already completed in the development of its own formation standards and procedures for marine scientists will enable it to play a leading role in the development of registration requirements for all scientists. Details of the requirements for marine scientists wishing to apply for membership of the Institute are contained in the IMarEST document entitled 'Formation of Marine Scientists'. Copies are available from the Professional Affairs Department, IMarEST, 80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ. Tel: 44 (0)20 7382 2670