The University of Gdańsk is a dynamically developing institution of higher learning. The University has eleven faculties with over 30,000 students, doctoral students and post-graduates, who are taught by 1,700 academic staff. In such fields of study as Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Oceanography, Quantum Physics, Pedagogy, Psychology, Law and Economic Sciences, the University of Gdańsk is one of the best institutions in Poland. The Institute of Oceanography is formed by seven departments, Hel Marine Station and the Laboratory of Oceanographical Equipment. The principle areas of research include interdisciplinary research of Baltic Sea coastal waters and ecosystems, evaluating the levels of pollution in the marine environment, developing new research methods and eco-hydrodynamic models and disseminating reliable data for evaluating the socioeconomic significance of the marine ecosystems.