On Friday the University of South Alabama celebrated a major expansion to the facilities for its marine sciences program, a step officials say will benefit research, education, and even public policy on Alabama’s coast.

The expansion to the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences adds about 13,000 square feet of space for the program, housed in USA’s Education Outreach Building. Its $8 million price tag includes classroom and research space, new analytical equipment and even a 600-gallon aquarium that lets some local marine life occupy a prominent spot in the lobby.