Concentration in Marine Biology
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 Biology 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.
- Complete an additional 6 credits at the 300+ level either from the SMS Marine Biology elective list or selected from the following list of courses: BIO 336, BIO 353, BIO 445, BIO 450, BIO 452, BIO 453, BIO 462, BIO 465, BIO 480, BMB 300/305, BMB 322, BMB 430/431, BMB 490
- Organic chemistry or biochemistry: BMB 221/222 or CHY 251/253
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
- BMB 221 – Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
- with
- BMB 222 – Laboratory in Organic Chemistry Credits: 1
- or
- CHY 251 – Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
- with
- CHY 253 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 2
- 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
- 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:
- INT 441 Maritime History and Archaeology Credits: 3
- SMS 350 Undergraduate Seminar Credits: 1-3
- SMS 352 Marine Ecology Credits: 4
- SMS 480 Biology of Marine Invertebrates Credits: 4
- SMS 481 Design of Marine Organisms Credits: 4
- SMS 482 Human Impacts on the Ocean Credits: 3 (alternate years)or other fall courses:
- SMS 400 – Capstone Research Experience in Marine Science Credits: 1-4
- SMS 404 – Capstone Seminar in Marine Science Credits: 1
- General Education Requirements Credits: 3-6
- Marine Biology Electives Credits: 3-6
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
- SMS 404 – Capstone Seminar in Marine Science Credits: 1
- Marine Biology Electives Credits: 3-6
- General Education Requirements Credits: 3-6