Marine Biology is a fascinating subject, and because oceans cover well over half of the earth’s surface, they provide an abundance of plant life, animals and microscopic organisms to study. If you are interested in pursuing a career in marine biology, and spending at least part of your college education on research boats, then you will want to choose the college that best meets your needs and helps you prepare for an interesting and exciting vocation. Even if you live in a landlocked state and prefer to stay close to your home as you begin your college studies, you can find a school that will give you an excellent start on your way to becoming a marine biologist.
States with Colleges Offering Marine Biology
More than half of the states in the country have colleges that offer marine biology, even those far from an ocean like Kansas and Missouri. For instance, Southwestern College in Kansas initiated marine biology as part of its overall biology program to provide students with additional educational opportunities. The program gives students early exposure to marine biology and offers them opportunities upon which they can build in the future.
The following states have colleges that offer marine biology:
· Alabama
· Alaska
· California
· Connecticut
· Florida
· Georgia
· Hawaii
· Kansas
· Louisiana
· Maine
· Maryland
· Massachusetts
· Mississippi
· Missouri
· New Hampshire
· New Jersey
· New York
· North Carolina
· Ohio
· Oregon
· Pennsylvania
· Rhode Island
· South Carolina
· Texas
· Virginia
· Washington
· Wisconsin
The marine-biology program at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, TX, is a great option for students interested in the subject who seek careers in private industry, government or higher education. The program includes courses at two campuses located on the Gulf of Mexico.
Marine Biology Internship Opportunities While In College
Many colleges provide internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience as they pursue their studies in marine biology. For example, Scripps Institution for Oceanography in San Diego, CA, offers a summer marine-science and technology-research internship that allows qualified students to earn small salaries while working with some of the world’s most outstanding scientists. The 10-week program includes the opportunity to attend weekly seminars led by members of the scientific staff and faculty. Other internships for Scripps students include conducting research at Birch Aquarium or working at Marine Physical Laboratory.
Students can also visit or phone several marine stations or facilities in their areas to inquire about the availability of research or internship opportunities.
Coursework Involved in Becoming a Marine Biologist
Marine-biology coursework has a heavy focus on biology and science as well as field- research opportunities in rivers, lakes or oceans. A Marine biologist must have a bachelor’s degree but many also have master’s and doctoral degrees. Students learn about the sciences related to marine biology in classrooms, but they spend many hours studying plants and animals in rivers, lakes and oceans as well.
· Undergraduate Coursework
Students must major in marine biology or a comparable subject to become marine biologists. They should study general marine biology, chemistry, oceanography, genetics and physics to attain bachelor’s degrees in marine biology. Undergraduates must earn credits in marine-biology labs where they gain hands-on experience working with marine-animal life and marine-plant life. Undergraduates may also select focus areas like microbiology, evolution, fish or coral reefs.
· Graduate Coursework
To attain graduate degrees in marine biology, students must focus on particular areas such as marine mammals, fish, plant life or coral reefs. For example, a focus on marine mammals may include courses like diving, marine-mammal diseases, marine-mammal conservation and marine-mammal behavior.
· Doctoral Coursework
Acquiring a teaching or research position in marine biology usually requires earning a Ph.D. or doctoral degree. Students must narrow their studies to very definite areas of marine biology when they pursue doctoral degrees. Most programs involve dissertations, which consist of comprehensive research projects in the areas of focus. The projects conclude with students defending their research papers before members of the faculty.
Entrance Requirements for a Marine Biology College
Preparation for a college major in marine biology should begin in high school or even earlier. Students should take as many math and science classes as they can and maintain high GPAs. Successfully completing the following classes should help students gain entrance to the schools they choose.
· Science
Biology is obviously important for marine biologists, but courses in geology, ecology, chemistry, engineering and physics are valuable as well.
· Math
Statistics and calculus are some of the classes that provide beneficial knowledge for marine biologists.
· English
Successful marine biologists must have the ability to communicate clearly, and skills in both verbal and written communication are important.
· Internships
Internships related to marine biology are particularly beneficial for students aspiring to attend marine-biology colleges. Students can volunteer at local aquariums when visiting large bodies of water is not practical.
Scholarships Available For Marine Biology Students
As you are researching your college choice you must also think about how to pay for that education. You should know that there are several specific scholarships available for marine biology majors. There are even specific scholarships for women available and you should definitely look into those if you are a female student. The most important thing about scholarships is that after you find an opportunity make sure you apply by the deadline. Oftentimes scholarships go unclaimed because there were no applicants. For that reason, receiving one of those grants is a simple matter of applying and going through the process.
Types of Specific Classes to Take in a College Majoring in Marine Biology
The requirements and options for classes may be different at each school, but the following classes are typical at many marine biology colleges.
· Marine Biology
· Marine Animal Physiology
· Tropical Marine Vegetation
· Tropical Marine Invertebrates
· Tropical Marine Vertebrates
· Tropical Marine Ecology
· Marine Bio Research
· Marine Microbiology
· Fisheries Ecology and Conservation
· Fish Physiology and Endocrinology
· Wetlands and Mangrove Ecology
· Aquatic Toxicology
· Oceanography
· General Biology
· Molecular Cell Biology
· General Microbiology
· Animal Behavior
· Comparative Animal Physiology
· Genetics
· Ethics in Science
· Behavioral Sciences
· Chemistry, which helps students see how an ocean’s physical world affects the organisms that exist in it
· Organic Chemistry
· Biochemistry
· Applied Statistics
· Biostatistics
· Computer and Software
· Mathematics, including Precalculus and Calculus
· Physics
· Critical Thinking
· English Composition
· Literature
· World Literature
· Humanities and Social Science Electives, which can be History, Political Science, Social Science or Philosophy
· U.S. Citizenship
· Cross-Cultural Perspectives
· Public Speaking, which may consist of a course in Speech
· Foreign Languages
One of the most rewarding aspects of attending a marine biology college is the substantial on-site research and comprehensive, practical experience offered by the college. Many of the schools are near or beside the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, rivers or large lakes. The nearness of marine ecosystems provides excellent diving opportunities for closer examination of underwater animal-life and plant-life systems.