Students pursuing a marine science degree typically demonstrate a strong interest in some aspect of the marine environment and in the sciences in general. High school preparation should include a solid background in mathematics and introductory biology and/or chemistry.
Department of Biological Sciences
1324 Science and Engineering Complex
bsc.ua.edu
bscacademics@ua.edu
Department of Geological Sciences
2003 Bevill Building
geo.ua.edu
geology@as.ua.edu
Admission into the Major
Students are expected to formally declare both majors no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). Students can declare a major by completing the Change of Major/Minor Application online under the Student tab of myBama.
Special Opportunities
During the summer semester, a large suite of marine science courses is offered at the Dauphin Island campus of the Alabama Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.
Students earning the bachelor of science (BS) degree in marine science/geology must complete all university, college and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following double major requirements and other sufficient credits to total 128 applicable semester hours.
Code and Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Principles Of Biology I and Laboratory Biology I | |
| Honors General Biology I | |
| 4 |
| Principles Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | |
| Honors Gen Biology II | |
CH 101 or | General Chemistry | 4 |
CH 117 | Honors General Chemistry |
CH 102 or | General Chemistry | 4 |
CH 118 | Honors General Chemistry |
GEO 101 | The Dynamic Earth | 4 |
GEO 102 | The Earth Through Time | 4 |
GEO 210 | Mineralogy | 4 |
GEO 314 | Ign. & Meta. Petrology | 4 |
GEO 365 | Structural Geology | 3 |
GEO 367 | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy | 4 |
GEO 495 | Field Geology | 6 |
| 6 |
| Invertebrate Paleontology | |
| Introduction Geophysics | |
| Introduction to Geochemistry | |
| 6 |
MS 304 | Marine Geology | 4 |
MS 306 | Marine Biology | 4 |
MS 448 | Intro Oceanography | 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| General Physics I | |
| General Physics W/Calc I | |
| Honors Gen Ph W/Calculus | |
| 4 |
| General Physics II | |
| General Physics W/Calc II | |
| Honors Gen Ph W/Calculus II | |
| 81 |
| |
MATH 125 or | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 145 | Honors Calculus I |
MATH 126 or | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 146 | Honors Calculus II |
ST 260 | Statistical Data Analysis | 3 |
Total Hours | 92 |
Grade Point Average
A 2.0 grade point average in each major is required for completion of the degree. Please see the Grades and Grade Points section of this catalog for an explanation on grade point average calculations.
Upper-level Residency
A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in each major must be earned on this campus.
Required Minor
Marine science/chemistry does not require a minor.
Additional Major Requirements
Students are not permitted to count the same required major courses toward completion of a second major or minor. Students may count required ancillary courses for one major toward the requirements of another major. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, College, major and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an adviser in the major department for academic planning and to be approved for registration each semester. College advisers are also available for additional assistance with minor, College and University requirements.
A dual major in marine science and biology, chemistry, or geology prepares students for a wide variety of employment opportunities in environmentally related fields, industries concerning utilization of marine resources, biotechnology, policy, and education.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Recent graduates have worked in entry-level positions in government agencies, ecotourism (e.g., SCUBA divemasters, whale or dolphin watching boats), and K-12 education. A large number of graduates enter professional school (e.g., medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy) or graduate school (master’s degree, Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.]).
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Marine biologist, marine geologist, conservation specialist, laboratory technician, teacher, professor, aquaculture industry specialist, oceanographer, environmental consultant, marine animal veterinarian
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center