Welcome families from the class of 2023! May 30-31 marks spring orientation on campus. Details Welcome families from the class of 2023! May 30-31 marks spring orientation on campus. Details

Marine Science

  • Associate Professor Joseph (Coordinator).

  • Marine science is an interdisciplinary minor designed for students interested in oceanography and related fields. Incorporating aspects of biology, environmental/geological science, and environmental studies, this minor program provides students with the opportunity to develop knowledge about oceanic processes and organisms, including important intersections of human-ocean systems. A minor in marine science consists of 28 credits plus an applied learning experience. Required courses include:

    • BIO-101
    • ENV-100
    • Two of the following marine science courses:
         BIO/ENV-310
         BIO/ENV-330
         ENV-372
    • Three courses chosen from among the following:
         The remaining marine science course from the previous list
         ENV-266
         ENV-272
         ENV-370
         BIO/ENV-336
    • XLP or similar experience, germane to marine science (see additional information below)

    Special topics and other new courses may count towards the marine science minor with permission of the marine science coordinator. Similarly, courses taken during a study abroad or off campus program may also count towards this minor with approval from the marine science coordinator.

    For Biology or Environmental Studies majors (or BIO/ENV double majors) or minors, at least 12 of the above 28 credits for the marine science minor must be in addition to credits already counting towards a BIO and/or ENV degree (major, minor, or double major in BIO/ENV).

    To fulfill the marine science minor, students must also complete an experiential learning project (XLP) or similar experience, the focus of which is germane to marine science. Options include: IDS-381, IDS-382, ENV-381, ENV-382, ENV-481, ENV-491, BIO-382; BIO-481, BIO-485, BIO-491, Summer Fellows research, or other non-XLP experience approved by the marine science coordinator (and director or advisor of the experience, as needed). A 3- or 4-credit accumulated sequence of ENV-391/ENV-392 or BIO-391/BIO-392 that leads to a coherent project progression within the field of marine science may also fulfill this requirement, with approval from the marine science coordinator and the overseeing research faculty member.

    Students who plan to continue on in fields of marine science/oceanography after graduation are advised to select a marine science advisor who is most closely related to their field of interest and to work with this advisor to determine the courses that may be recommended for continuing on in this field.