Moss Miller LLC was awarded a $34-million design-build contract for Nova Southeastern University’s oceanographic research center, dedicated to the study of coral reefs.

The partnership of Moss & Associates and Miller Construction Co., both of Fort Lauderdale, expects to start construction in October at Nova Southeastern’s Oceanographic Center site in Dania Beach.

The 86,000-sq-ft Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Science Research Facility will feature research laboratories, offices, administration offices and support.

Cannon Design and ACAI are the team’s project architects. The project will be built to LEED Silver standards. Completion is scheduled for December 2011.