B. S. Degree in Marine Science
The Marine Biology concentration provides training equivalent to a B.S. in Biology, but with a major focus on marine organisms — in the context of an overall appreciation and understanding of the chemical, geological, and physical environment of the ocean.
Students who wish to declare a concentration in marine biology must meet the requirements of the Marine Science major in addition to the following:
- The 15 credits of SMS electives should be chosen from the list of SMS Marine Science electives. It is strongly recommended that students take at least 3 credits of marine ecology and include courses that cover primary producers, vertebrate and invertebrate organisms.
Click here for the current UMaine undergraduate catalog
Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Marine Science: Marine Biology Concentration
First Year – First Semester
- BIO 100 – Basic Biology Credits: 4
- ENG 101 – College Composition Credits: 3
- MAT 122 – Pre-Calculus Credits: 4
- NFA 117 – Issues and Opportunities Credits: 1
- SMS 100 – Introduction to Ocean Science Credits: 3
First Year – Second Semester
- MAT 126 – Calculus I Credits: 4
- SMS 108 – Beaches and Coasts Credits: 3
- SMS 201 – Biology of Marine Organisms Credits: 3
- SMS 203 – Introduction to Integrative Marine Science Credits: 1
- General Education Requirement Credits: 3
Second Year – First Semester
- CHY 121 – Introduction to Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHY 123 – Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
- SMS 230 – Introduction to Marine Policy and Fisheries Management Credits: 3
- STS 232 – Principles of Statistical Inference Credits: 3
- PHY 111 – General Physics I Credits: 4
- SMS Marine Science Elective Credits: 3
Second Year – Second Semester
- CHY 122 – The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Credits: 3
- CHY 124 – The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Laboratory Credits: 1
- PHY 112 – General Physics II Credits: 4
- SMS 204 – Integrative Marine Science II: Physics and Chemistry of Marine Systems Credits: 2
- General Education Requirement Credits: 3
Third Year – First Semester
- SMS 302 – Oceanography Credits: 3
- SMS 303 – Integrative Marine Science III: Oceanography Credits: 2
- Recommended SMS Marine Science Elective Credits: 3-4
- General Education Requirement Credits: 3
Third Year – Second Semester
- BMB 280 – Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology Credits: 3
- SMS 404 – Capstone Seminar in Marine Science Credits: 1
- Marine Science Electives Credits: 3-6
- General Education Requirement Credits: 3-6
Fourth Year – First Semester
Semester by the sea (optional) may be taken first semester or either the junior or senior year (12-15 credits). Courses include
- SMS 324 – Introduction to Research Diving Credits: 3
- SMS 350 – Undergraduate Seminar Credits: 1
- SMS 352 – Marine Ecology Credits: 4
- SMS 400 – Capstone Research Experience in Marine Science Credits: 1-3
- SMS 480 – Biology of Marine Invertebrates Credits: 4
- SMS 483 – Ecology of Zooplankton and Ichthyoplankton Credits: 3
- SMS 484 – Estuarine Oceanography Credits: 4
- SMS 491- Problems in Marine Science: Microbial Ecology Credits: 4
- SMS 497 – Independent Study in Marine Science Credits: 1
Fourth Year – Second Semester
- SMS 304 – Integrative Marine Science IV: Comparative Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 2
- SMS 400 – Capstone Research Experience in Marine Science Credits: 1-3
- SMS 402 – Oceans and Climate Change Credits: 3
- Marine Science Electives Credits: 3-6
- General Education Requirements Credits: 3-6