B.S. in Marine Biology
Dive into your passion for bodies of water and the life found in them with the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology program at the 樱花动漫! Our program provides a strong foundation in biological sciences while immersing students in real-world marine environments through extensive field-based learning. With field-based coursework split between UNA’s Florence campus and the renowned Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory (DISL) in Mobile, students gain hands-on experience in marine research, conservation, and ecology.
Whether you aspire to pursue graduate studies, work in marine conservation, or explore careers in oceanography, this program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the dynamic field of marine biology.
Costs
Tuition and Fees
Credentials
Bachelor of Science - Marine Biology
Modality
On Campus
Time to Complete
4 years
What can I do with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
- Graduate and doctoral research programs
- Government agencies such as ADEM, EPA, and NOAA
- Aquaculture and coastal industries.
- Museums and aquariums
- Conservation and environmental consulting roles
Course Requirements
The program also provides three flexible specialization options, allowing students to tailor their studies to their career goals.
- The Professional Block prepares students for graduate or professional schools while allowing exploration of marine biology topics.
- The Oceanography Block offers extended time at the Sea Lab, focusing on coastal geology and oceanographic techniques, and transitions well into graduate studies or field-based careers.
- Lastly, the Environmental Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Block equips students with a GIS certification, a highly sought-after skill by government agencies and environmental organizations.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area I (Written Composition) | 6 | |
| Area II (Humanities and Fine Arts) 1 | 12 | |
| Area III (Natural, Sciences and Mathematics) included in required courses | 11 | |
| Select one from the following: | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| College Trigonometry | ||
| Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Area IV (History, Social and Behavioral Science) | 12 | |
| Area V included in required courses | ||
| Major Core Requirements | 29 | |
| Principles of Biology | ||
| Principles of Biology | ||
| Biological Literature | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Cell Biology | ||
| Biostatistics (Biostatistics) | ||
| Senior Assessment Seminar | ||
| Organismal Biology (Plants) | 4 | |
| Marine Botany (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Organismal Biology (Animals) | 8 | |
| Marine Invertebrate Zoology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Marine Vertebrate Zoology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Ecology | 4 | |
| Marine Ecology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Prescribed Supporting Courses | 23 | |
|
& |
General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory |
|
|
& |
General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory |
|
| Business Applications of Microcomputer Software | ||
|
or
|
Computer Skills for Problem-Solving | |
|
& |
General Physics I and General Physics II |
|
| Calculus Requirement (if not already completed in Area III) | ||
|
& |
Calculus for Business and Life Sciences I and Calculus for Business and Life Sciences II |
|
|
or
|
Calculus I | |
| Select one of the following course blocks: | 15-17 | |
| Environmental GIS (16-17 hours) | ||
| Digital Earth | ||
| Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Geography Capstone Project | ||
| Choose one course: | ||
| Web GIS | ||
| Advanced GIS | ||
| GIS Applications | ||
| Choose one course: | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Earth Resources | ||
| Environmental Hazards | ||
| Natural Resource Management | ||
| Oceanography (15 hours) | ||
| Earth Science/Physical Geology | ||
| Three courses required at Dauphin Island Sea Lab during Spring Semester: | ||
| Marine Geology | ||
| Experimental Oceanography | ||
| Advanced Marine Technical Methods | ||
| Professional (16 hours) | ||
|
& |
Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
|
| Biochemistry | ||
| Select at least 8 hours from the following: | ||
| Marine Biology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy ((Anatomy)) | ||
| Animal Physiology | ||
| Microbial Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Coastal Wetlands Ecology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Marine Behavioral Ecology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
|
& |
Tropical Ecology and Field Experience: Exploration of an Education Abroad Site |
|
| Marine Conservation Biology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Introduction to Oceanography (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Special Topics in Marine Science (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab) | ||
| Total Hours | 124-126 | |
- 1 For the Bachelor of Arts degree the student must satisfy the following requirement: 6 hours of a required foreign language at the introductory level.
Dauphin Island Sea Laboratory
Transfer Students
Advising and registration for summer DISL classes occurs in January each year. The majority of DISL courses have a prerequisite of BI 111 and BI 112 (or the equivalent majors-level Introductory Biology sequence). Students planning to transfer for their final two years should plan on attending DISL the summer before their first Fall on the Florence, AL campus.
Transfer students should contact Dr. Emily Kasl in January of the year they plan to transfer to UNA to discuss enrollment at DISL and a course plan to ensure the ability to graduate in two years.
Why the 樱花动漫?
With its small class sizes, experiential learning opportunities, and access to our enthusiastic, expert faculty who invest in your academic journey, UNA is uniquely
positioned as a leader in academic excellence within the South and beyond.