Degree: B.S.

Coordinator: Judith P. Grassle (jgrassle@imcs.rutgers.edu)

Marine science is the study of the marine environment and its interactions with the earth, the biosphere, and the atmosphere. It is therefore an interdisciplinary science requiring a knowledge of the principles of physics, geology and geophysics, mathematics, chemistry, and biology. A major in marine sciences provides students with a broad curriculum in the sciences, which demonstrates how the different disciplines can be brought to bear on understanding marine processes and managing ocean resources wisely.

The major prepares students for graduate work in oceanography or one of the basic disciplines, civil service careers in environmental management, employment in the many applied environmental and marine science fields, or teaching in the secondary schools.

The marine science courses emphasize improvement of oral and written communication skills and facility in accessing, reading, and understanding the current primary literature in marine sciences. Many of the courses include hands-on, experiential learning in the laboratory or the field. Students also are required to complete the experience-based education requirement with at least one term or summer of supervised, independent research.

The program includes the following options:

Marine Biology/Biological Oceanography. This option prepares students for professional opportunities or graduate study in oceanography or the biological sciences. Concentrations within the option permit students to focus on different levels of biological organization: at the molecular, cellular, organismic, community, or ecosystem level. Depending on their choice of electives, students also may fulfill the requirements of a major in the biological sciences or ecology and natural resources.

Marine Chemistry. This option prepares students for professional opportunities or graduate study in oceanography or chemistry. Students who elect 6.5 additional credits of chemistry and 3 additional credits of mathematics also may fulfill the requirements of a major in chemistry. (Beginning with the class of 2005, chemistry majors in options B, C, and D must complete at least one term of biochemistry at the 400 level for ACS certification.)

Marine Geology. This option prepares students for graduate study in oceanography, geology, environmental science, or an allied field, as well as for immediate employment. Students electing three additional courses in geology also may fulfill the requirements for the major in geological sciences.

Physical Oceanography. This option prepares students for graduate study in physical oceanography, meteorology, fluid dynamics, or a related field, as well as immediate employment in environmental agencies or consulting firms and technical positions in marine sciences.