Directed Marine Science Major Option
This option prepares students for professional opportunities in oceanography, the biological sciences, and related fields. It differs from the other four options in requiring students to complete one of several minor and certificate programs offered by the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences or the School of Arts and Sciences. Options include, but are not limited to: the Minor in Business and Technical Writing (355), the Minor in Education as a Social Justice (300), the Minor or Certificate in Environmental Geomatics (372), the Minor in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior (374), the Minor in Fisheries Science (392), or the Minor in Science Communication (374). This minor or certificate requirement is included in order to ensure that students in this option will acquire a focused set of knowledge and skills to complement their marine science studies, and to help them find employment upon graduation. Students in this option should choose the minor or certificate program that fulfills part of their major requirements no later than in their fourth semester of study at the university. This option is only available to SEBS Students.
Graduation Requirements for the Major
- Students majoring in Marine Science must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0.
- All students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences must complete the SEBS Core Requirements, plus the additional Major requirements below.
- Professional Ethics: Ethical issues in marine sciences are addressed throughout the program in both introductory and advanced courses, especially within the framework of the experience-based educational requirement.
SEBS UNDERGRADUATE CORE CURRICULUM (39 credits)
Contemporary Challenges (6 credits) Two courses, one in each of the Contemporary Challenges areas: Diversities and Social Inequalities [CC-D] and Our Common Future [CC-O]
Experience-Based Education (3 credits) Students must participate in a certified experience that meets this goal [EBE]
Natural Sciences (6 credits) Students must take two courses, one each in two of the following areas: physical, biological, or environmental sciences [NS]
Historical Analysis (3 credits) Students must take one course [HST]
Social Analysis (6 credits) SEBS students must complete two courses, one in either social/cultural analysis or economic analysis, and one in governmental and regulatory analysis [SCL]
Arts and Humanities (3 credits) Students must complete one course [AH]
Writing and Communication (6 credits) Students must take 01:355:101 or its equivalent [WC] and one course that fulfills the learning goal, communicate effectively in modes appropriate to a discipline or area of inquiry [WCD].
Quantitative and Formal Reasoning (6 credits) Students must take two courses [QQ; QR]
Major Requirements For All Students Regardless of Matriculation Date
REQUIRED COURSES (12)
Professional Ethics
Ethical issues in marine sciences are addressed throughout the program in both introductory and advanced courses, especially within the framework of the experience-based education requirement.
01:960:401 Basic Statistics for Research (3)
11:628:120 Introduction to Oceanography (3)
11:628:320 Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems (3)
11:628:363 Oceanographic Methods and Data Analysis: Biol/Chem (3) OR 11:628:364 Oceanographic Methods and Data Analysis: Biol/Physical (3)
Directed Marine Studies (74-78)
Required Courses (44)
01:119:115-116 General Biology I&II (4+4)
01:119:117 Biological Research Lab (2)
01:447:380 Genetics (4) OR 11:776:305 Plant Genetics (4)
01:160:161-162 General Chemistry I&II (4+4)
01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
01:640:135 Calculus I (4)
01:750:193-194 Physics for the Sciences I&II (4+4)
11:628:461 Biology of Living in the Ocean: Water Column Ecosystems (3)
11:628:462 Biology of Living in the Ocean: Boundary Ecosystems (3)
Experience-Based Education (3)
One of the following (3-4):
01:146:356 Systems Physiology (3) AND 01:146:357 Systems Physiology Lab. (1)
11:216:360 Animal Physiological Ecology (3)
11:680:481 Microbial Physiology (3)
11:776:382 Plant Physiology (4)
One of the following (3-4):
11:628:321 Ichthyology (4)
11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
11:216:323 Ornithology (4)
11:216:324 Invertebrate Zoology (4)
11:216:325 Vertebrate Zoology (4)
11:776:400 Fungi in the Environment (3)
One of the following (3-4):
11:628:405 Molecular Microbial Oceanography (3)
11:628:410 Biophysical Interactions: Barnacles to Jellyfish (3)
11:628:476 History of the Earth System (3)
11:670:451 Remote Sensing of the Ocean and Atmosphere (3)
11:216:240 Behavioral Biology (4)
11:216:351 Principles of Ecology (3)
11:216:486 Principles of Evolution (3)
At least 3 credits from the following:
11:628:201-203, 205-210 Topics in Marine Science (1.5)
11:628:309 Fishery Science (3)
11:628:317 Aquaculture (3)
11:628:341 Hydrothermal Vents (3)
11:628:402 The Role of Polar Regions in the Earth System (3)
11:628:451 Physical Oceanography (4)
11:628:472 Chemical Oceanography (3)
11:628:474 Coastal Biogeochemical Cycles in a Changing World (3)