What courses should I take to become a Marine Biologist?

Question

What courses should I take to become a Marine Biologist?

Answer 1

Biology is probably the main one.

Go to a school in Hawai'i or San Diego and ask a counselor.

Answer 2

Biology and zoology

(73% of biologists at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center had a BS in these two degrees, read "What should I get my degree in?" from the link below)

From NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) on Careers in Marine Biology:

http://swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?id=...

What Courses Should I Take?

For marine biological careers, preparatory courses in basic biology, zoology, chemistry, physics, biometrics, mathematics, and statistics are important. English is important, too, because one of the most important activities of a marine biologist is writing scientific papers and getting them published. Courses in the aquatic sciences such as fishery biology, ichthyology, and oceanography are also important, as well as courses in your discipline of interest (for instance, ethology if you are interested in animal behavior). Courses in the social sciences are also recommended for occupations that deal mainly with the public, public policies, or management.

What Degrees Do I Need?

Some schools offer a marine biology degree and most of these are located in coastal states, but the undergraduate degree need not be in marine biology. It can be in biology, zoology, fisheries, or one of the other animal sciences. Physical oceanographers, who study the physical as opposed to the biological aspects of the sea, may work toward an oceanography degree, with course work weighted heavily in physics, mathematics, and computer modeling. Biological oceanographers study both the biological and physical aspects of the sea and their interactions. Your best bet would be to refer to the guides mentioned above and contact the schools that interest you and learn more about the programs and degrees they offer. A bachelor's or master's degree is usually required for most starting marine biological research jobs, but you should also be aware that the usual level of education required to carry out independent research in biology is a Ph.D., so if you are serious about a full-time career and want to organize your own research projects, you should get your doctorate.

Here's some advice on Becoming a Marine Biologist:

http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/bec...

"Should I major in marine biology at college?

Believe me, college is too early a time to become too specialized in marine biology. DON'T necessarily major in marine biology if you really want to become a marine biologist. I know this sounds illogical but it is sound advice. Basic science is still how you should fill up your course work. Yes, take a course or two in marine science or even a minor, but fill up your time with the basics: biology, physics, chemistry, and math and even engineering. It is easier to learn basic science, math, and computer programming now than to pick it up later in graduate or professional school. This is not to say that marine science and environmental science programs should be completely avoided. Some are extremely good at giving a student critical thinking skills across a number of disciplines, while also making students learn the basics of science. Many marine biology problems today require thinking "outside the box," and therefore linkages between different disciplines can be very rewarding. My favorite configuration would be multiple majors that lead a student into creative areas. For example: what about a double major in science and social science, or a triple major between biology, chemistry and engineering? These combinations will lead you toward a basic science education that still lets you apply your knowledge to real-life problems. As many students know, engineering is a major area of academic growth in colleges today. If you want to be a marine biologist, the training you might get in mechanical engineering, engineering skills involved in hydrodynamics and climate studies, or computer skills can be applied directly to ocean science problems."