Marine Biology
Marine biology is the study of living things in the oceans and other saltwater environments.
For this major you’ll take lots of marine biology classes. But you’ll also need to take classes in the arts, science, math, and social sciences to earn your bachelor’s degree. These extra courses help make sure that you graduate from college with all of the skills you’ll need to prepare for a successful career as a marine biologist.
Core Marine Biology Courses:
- Introduction to Marine Biology
- Introduction to Biological Oceanography
- Marine Biochemistry
- Marine Biology Lab
- Current Research in Marine Biology
- Statistical Methods in Marine Biology
- Genetics
Elective Marine Biology Courses:
- Physics and Chemistry of the Oceans
- Introduction to Ocean Waves
- The Physical Basis of Ocean Warming
- Satellite Remote Sensing
- Chemical Principles of Marine Systems
- Ocean Acidification
- The Solid and Fluid Earth
- Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences + Lab
- California Coastal Oceanography + Lab
- Paleobiology and History of Life + Lab
- Evolution of Earth’s Biosphere + Lab
- Marine Microbiology + Lab
- The Coral Reef Environment
- Applications of Phylogenetics + Lab
- Pollution, Environment, and Health
- Phycology: Biology of Marine Plants + Lab
- Marine Invertebrates + Lab
- Organic Chemistry + Lab
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Biochemical Techniques + Lab
- Physics – Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics + Lab
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
- Introduction to Ecology
- Evolution
- Independent Study
General Curriculum Requirements:
- Arts Courses: Art, History, Languages, Literature, Music
- Math Courses: Algebra, Calculus, Computer Science, Logic, Statistics
- Natural Sciences Courses: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics
- Social Sciences Courses: Anthropology, Economics, Government, Psychology, Sociology
“I wanted to study marine biology because I fell in love with the ocean. I knew I wanted to help the ocean when I grew up. I want to save the marine life right now that it’s in a crucial state and make a difference in the ocean and in our lives.”
