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Department of

Marine Science and Environmental Studies

Marine Science Major

The marine science major, offered by the Department of Marine Science and Environmental Studies, is intended for students interested in the natural sciences as well as the marine world. It provides a rigorous curriculum that is intended to prepare students to go on to either graduate studies or directly into oceanographic work. A core of oceanography courses unifies the marine science major. In addition, the student elects a curriculum from a pathway in biology or earth systems. The student majoring in marine science is encouraged to select an advisor from his or her area of concentration as soon as possible. A list of advisors is available from the chair of the Department of Marine Science and Environmental Studies.

Preparation for the Major

35 units of lower-division courses are required: BIOL 190 and 221/221L, CHEM 151/151L and 152/152L, ENVI 110, MARS 120, MATH 150, and PHYS 136, 137. MATH 151 is recommended for students who anticipate going to graduate school.

Major Requirements

The major is made up of a core of marine science and environmental studies courses and a concentration of courses in a particular discipline (called the “pathway”).

The Marine Science Core

18 units of upper-division courses in marine science are required.

MARS 450 Geological Oceanography / 4 units
MARS 451W Biological Oceanography /4 units (= BIOL 451W)
MARS 427 Marine Environment / 3 units
MARS 452 Physical and Chemical Oceanography / 4 units

Capstone Experience – at least 2 units of practical experience in MARS 496, 498, 499, or an equivalent course and MARS 495 – Senior Seminar / 3 units

The Pathways

The pathways associated with this major are biology and earth systems. Each pathway offers a concentration of courses, providing depth in the particular pathway; the units differ slightly according to the specific pathway.

1. Biology Pathway (22-23 units)

BIOL 225/225L Introduction to Cell Processes / 4 units
BIOL 300 Genetics / 3 units
CHEM 301/301L Organic Chemistry / 4 units

Upper-division Electives (11-12 units)

Choose at least one course from each category; at least two courses with laboratory:

Ecology:
BIOL 460W Ecology / 4 units
MARS 468 Marine Ecology / 3 units
MARS 567 Deep-Sea Biology / 3 units

Organismal Biology:
BIOL 342 Microbiology / 4 units
BIOL 350 Invertebrate Zoology / 4 units
MARS 562 Biology of Fishes / 3 units
MARS 565 Marine Mammals / 3 units

Physiology/Molecular Biology:
BIOL 312 Molecular Methods in Evolutionary Biology / 4 units
BIOL 376 Animal Development / 4 units
BIOL 382 Techniques in Molecular Biology / 4 units
BIOL 477/477L Invertebrate Physiology / 4 units
BIOL 478W/478L Vertebrate Physiology / 4 units
BIOL 480/480L Cell Physiology / 4 units
Note: Certain courses offered abroad may satisfy upper-division elective requirements.

2. Earth Systems Pathway (17-21 units)

ENVI 314 Introduction to Maps and Spatial Data Analysis / 3 units
MATH 120 Introduction to Statistics / 3 units
MARS 474 History of the Earth and Climate / 3 units

Upper-division Electives (8-12 units)

Choose at least one course from each category; at least two courses with laboratory:

Methods in Earth System Science:
ENVI 315 Geographic Information Systems / 3 units
ENVI 420 Introduction to Remote Sensing / 4 units

System Interactions:
ENVI 471 Near Shore Processes / 3 units
ENVI 485 Environmental Geology / 4 units
ENVI 487 Surface Water Hydrology / 4 units
MARS 473 Climatology / 4 units

Elective:
BIOL 361 Ecological Communities of San Diego County / 2 units
CHEM 301/301L Organic Chemistry / 4 units
CHEM 355 Environmental Chemistry / 3 units

Upper division elective in Marine Science or Environmental Studies / 3-4 units

A maximum of 3 units in addition to capstone requirements of MARS 496, 497, and 498 may be used in any combination to satisfy course requirements of the major.

Certain additional prerequisites are required for upper-division core courses.