What it’s about:

Students in marine biology explore the diversity of sea life, the functioning of marine ecosystems, and the chemical and physical nature of the oceans. As a marine biology major, you will gain a broad understanding of the processes that control life in under-water environments.

What the study of this major is like:

Marine biologists study the ocean as a system-how underwater species relate to one another as food and prey and how various species depend on the ocean’s physics and chemistry. As a major, you will have in-depth exposure to this complex ecosystem and will gain insight into environmental problems, such as the consequences of global climate changes and ocean pollution. And you will examine the consequences of humankind’s reliance on the seas.

Courses cover the form, structure, development, evolution, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of marine systems, including fisheries. Emphasis is placed on the spatial and regional distributions of specie[tem dash] for example, whether they inhabit coastal or open ocean, cold or warm water, deep of shallow water. You may study why certain species are endangered and how they can be protected, or you can pursue special interests, such as the economics of harvesting marine organisms for food and energy.

During the first two years, majors take basic courses including math, chemistry, physics, and biology. You may also take a first-year survey, with field trips, of marine environments. In your second year, you might conduction laboratory examinations of the ecology, physiology, and behaviour of marine organisms. Upper-level work focuses on the chemical and physical characteristics of the ocean. In addition, you will probably take courses in conservation, marine resources, and policy (coastal law, pollution, economic resources of the ocean).

The coursework is generally a mix of lectures, laboratory activities, and, especially in the third and fourth years, fieldwork. Many students do summer internships or research outside college, and a senior the-sis-an independent research project, conducted under faculty supervision and summarized in a written report-is often required.

A frequent challenge for majors is to develop a coordinate path through the field. Marine biology is not a distinct area of study; rather, it draws heavily on other disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Avoid taking just a collection of survey courses from various areas of science. Instead, try to explore one field of marine biology in depth. Also, majors often spend a lot of time on fieldwork. But although they work hard, they generally enjoy what they do.

Because marine biology is such a broad area, different programs have different emphases. For example, professors at some colleges may concentrate on open-ocean rather than near-shore species; at other colleges, faculty members may have expertise in marine mammals and know little about fisheries. Some colleges offer a biological concentration within a broader oceanography major. Take a look at course catalogs, which should reflect colleges’ emphases.

Career options and trends:

Government resource, manager*; science teacher;fisheries biologist; laboratory research technician*; environmental consultant*; staff member at a museum or aquarium.

The job market is tight in this field. A strong math background and computer skills will give you a competitive edge, especially in the fisheries industry. Most research and academic position will require a graduate degree.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors