Marine Biology, B.S.

https://uncw.edu/bio/ J. Jarvis (coordinator)

The Marine Biology program is a unique baccalaureate degree in the university system. It includes a strong foundation of biology with an emphasis in marine biology at the junior and senior levels. Full use is made of the natural laboratory provided by the adjacent Atlantic Ocean through extensive field work in many marine biology and biology courses. The curriculum is flexible enough to meet the individual needs of the student enabling preparation for graduate studies or for teaching, research and consulting careers available to one with the baccalaureate degree.

Oral Communication Requirement:

To satisfy the oral communication requirement for the B.A. or B.S. degree in Biology or the B.S. degree in Marine Biology a student must successfully complete BIO 495 .

Applied Learning Requirement:

To satisfy the applied learning requirement for the B.A. or B.S. degree in Biology or the B.S. degree in Marine Biology a student must successfully complete one of the following:

Honors in any science department (BIO 499 , CHM 499 , EVS 499 , GLY 499 , MAT 499 , PSY 499 , PHY 499 );
Directed individual study involving hands-on experience in any science department (BIO 291 , BAN 491 , BIO 495 , CHM 491 , EVS 491 , GLY 491 , MAT 491 , PSY 491 , PHY 491 );
BIO 498 , BIO 493 ;
Formal student teaching experience taken for UNCW credit (e.g. EDNL 406 , EDN 409 , EDN 411 ).

Requirements for a Major in Marine Biology for the B.S. Degree:

BIO 201 - Principles of Biology: Cells
BIO 202 - Principles of Biology: Biodiversity (which must be taken early in the program of study)
BIO 335 - Genetics and
BIOL 335 - Genetics Laboratory
BIO 325 - Molecular Biology of the Cell and
BIOL 325 - Molecular Biology of Cell Laboratory
or
BIO 340 - Plant Physiology
or
BIO 345 - Animal Physiology and
BIOL 345 - Animal Physiology Laboratory
BIO 362 - Marine Biology and
BIOL 362 - Marine Biology Laboratory
BIO 366 - Ecology and
BIOL 366 - Ecology Laboratory
and
BIO 495 - Seminar

Note:

The department strongly recommends that two out of BIO 366 ; BIO 335 ; BIO 340 or BIO 345 be completed before taking other BIO courses at the 300 or 400 level.

A minimum of 8 hours chosen from:

Collateral Requirements

Total: 75-76 hours

Additional Information:

A “C” (2.00) or better average is required for BIO courses above 299.

Marine Biology Option:

Must complete general requirements for B.S. Degree in Marine Biology. Additionally, a minimum of 13 hours chosen from BIO courses numbered above 299. No more than 10 hours from BIO 480 , BIO 491 , BIO 493 , BIO 498 , and BIO 499 can be counted towards the 13 elective hours. The UNCW marine biology curriculum is a unique baccalaureate program in the university system. It includes a strong foundation of biology with an emphasis in marine biology at the junior and senior levels. Full use is made of the natural laboratory provided by the adjacent Atlantic Ocean through extensive field work in many marine biology and biology courses. The curriculum is flexible enough to meet the individual needs of the student enabling preparation for graduate studies or for teaching and research careers available to one with the baccalaureate degree.

Total: 75 hours

Marine Conservation Option:

Must complete general requirements for B.S. Degree in Marine Biology and BIO 466. The Marine Conservation option provides a B.S. Marine Biology degree plan that is designed for students primarily interested in the biological aspects of conservation science in marine environments (e.g., community ecology, population biology, biogeography, conservation genetics and assessment of threatened or endangered species and habitats).

Elective Courses:

Additionally, a minimum of 10 hours of marine biology elective courses numbered above 299 must be chosen from the following set of courses: