Biology

Ocean Biologists (biological oceanographers, marine biologists) study relationships between living organisms in the ocean and the ocean environment in which they dwell. Students may choose from a wide variety of specialties, including the study of specific organism groups such as microbes, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, and mammals, as well as broader linkages to the ecology of organism groups or ecosystems. » Visit Sea Grant Marine Careers website

Preparing in High School for majoring in Biology in college

Take as many science courses as you can in high school, including biology, chemistry and physics.
Take as many math courses as you can, including Algebra I and II, trigonometry, and calculus if possible.
Take computer classes. Computing skills including word processing and data analysis programs are very important.
Take English, literature and speech classes. Although it may not seem intuitive, communication skills are extremely important for success in a science career.

Many of the most interesting careers for ocean biologists start with an undergraduate major in biology or a major/minor in marine biology/biological oceanography, followed by additional training at the graduate level.

Sample course requirements to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Marine Biology:

Preparing in College for majoring in Biological Oceanography in Graduate School

Candidates for admission to graduate school should have a bachelor's (BS) or master's degree in one of the physical, biological, or earth sciences; in some cases a degree in mathematics or engineering science is accepted. A scholastic average of 3.0 is expected. The student's preparation should include mathematics through differential and integral calculus; two years of chemistry, including general and organic chemistry with laboratories; a year of general biology with laboratory, at least one additional year of biology; and at least one year of physics with laboratory.

Missing a required course? Don’t give up! Some programs will still accept new graduate students and then provide the opportunity to complete one or more courses to fill gaps in their education.

If you have the opportunity (either paid or volunteer) to participate in laboratory, field work or a research cruise during your undergraduate years, it will serve as good preparation for graduate work. Participating in an ocean Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer program is a great way to learn about ocean research and to meet faculty and graduate students involved in ocean science, policy and engineering graduate programs. REU programs provide stipends to cover expenses, and often students are able save some of their summer stipend money. » Visit REU website

Graduate Programs in Ocean Biology

Many of the best jobs in ocean biology require a Masters (MS) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in ocean science or closely related field. Some students choose to get an MS first and then go on for a Ph.D. Others go straight for a Ph.D., and some choose to only get an MS.

Most graduate students in ocean science receive a stipend that covers living expenses and have their graduate tuition paid, thus attaining their graduate degree without incurring additional education debt.

There are many excellent graduate programs in ocean science at state and private institutions. Virtually every coastal state has at least one program, and larger states, such as California, have many. Some universities offer MS and Ph.D degrees in biology with a specialty in ocean biology. Talk to your faculty adviser about your interests, or check the website below. » Visit GradSchools.com

What can you study? Examples include:

Ecological research can occur in the laboratory or outdoors. Applications of research can help solve environmental problems and monitor and protect natural resources.
Aquaculture is the farming of fresh and salt water organisms including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and plants.
Aquarium Science is the study of aquatic animal husbandry and the care of captive aquatic organisms.
Biomedicine is the branch of medical science that applies to biological and physiological principles to clinical practice.
Biotechnology/Molecular Biology.
Botany is the study of plants and is a very wide ranging field of study.
Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms.

Potential careers

Teaching
Research
Aquaria staff
Fish and Wildlife Agent
Pharmaceutical Research
Marine Mammal Research
Aquaculturist
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Last updated: October 9, 2012