Aix-Marseille University (AMU) is a young university, but it is also the largest in France based on the number of its students, staff and budget. The University offers training in all disciplines; arts, humanities, languages, law, political science, economics, management, health, science and technology. Within the research teams of the Science faculty, graduate students participate in cutting-edge research in 35 highly renowned research centres affiliated to the Faculty. The Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography is a joint research laboratory of the Universities of Aix-Marseille and Toulon, CNRS and IRD. Its objectives are to better understand the ocean system and its evolution in response to global change. Scientists conduct research in the areas of: oceanic and atmospheric circulation, understanding of marine ecosystems and biodiversity from bacteria to fish, biological functioning in extreme environments, and ocean pollution.