Shoals Marine Laboratory | 853 followers on LinkedIn. As a leader in marine science undergraduate education, SML offers endless learning and research opportunities. | The mission of Shoals Marine Laboratory is to provide outstanding experiential, place-based education and to support innovative research programs focused on understanding and sustaining the marine environment. Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) is dedicated to undergraduate education and research in marine science. Since 1966, SML has offered undergraduate students a unique opportunity to study marine science in the field with exceptional faculty from institutions throughout North America.