- Originally a tropical marine biological facility, the Marine Laboratory initiated a program of studies leading to the Master of Science degree in 1949. In 1953, laboratory and classroom buildings were constructed on the School?s present campus on Virginia Key, and in the late fifties, the Marine Laboratory expanded its staff and developed its oceanographic capabilities in response to the increased interest in scientific research in the United States. It became the Institute of Marine Science in 1961. Ocean-going research vessels were acquired and additional buildings were constructed to accommodate new wide-ranging projects. In 1969, the Institute, now a School, was named for Dorothy H. and Lewis Rosenstiel in recognition of a major contribution, made through the Rosenstiel Foundation, to encourage progress in the marine and atmospheric sciences at the University of Miami. In 1977, the Rosenstiel School and College of Arts and Sciences joined together to establish an undergraduate Marine and Atmospheric Science program based on the Coral Gables campus. The degree granting authority for this program was formally transferred to the Rosenstiel School in 2008.
- Today the Rosenstiel School has a faculty of over 80 who conduct sponsored research while offering studies leading to the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Professional Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.