Marine Science

Curriculum Overview

Click here for a detailed four-year plan (PDF)

Students who plan to pursue a marine science major should be well prepared in the sciences. High school courses should include mathematics through trigonometry, biology, chemistry and physics. Secondary school courses in marine biology or oceanography may provide additional background, but are not required.

Marine science majors are required to take the introductory sequence of Introduction to Marine Science, Introduction to Cellular, Genetic & Molecular Biology, Botany, Zoology and Oral Communication in the Biological Sciences. After completing these courses, students must take Marine Ecology and an additional minimum of 16 credit hours of upper division marine science courses, six hours of which must be chosen from Marine Geology, Physical Oceanography, and Biological Oceanography.  Required allied courses include chemistry (a full year of Introductory Chemistry, as well as Organic Chemistry), a full year of math, and Senior Seminar.