2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Oct 07, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Marine Biology, B.S.


Humboldt’s program in marine biology emphasizes hands-on learning.  We have outstanding facilities to support our marine biology major, including the Telonicher Marine Laboratory in the nearby town of Trinidad, which gives students opportunities for hand-on observation and experimentation with living marine organisms. The unique setting of this lab, just minutes away from ocean, estuary and lagoon habitats, provides students with unlimited research opportunities.

Our research vessel, the 90-foot R/V Coral Sea, is the only ocean-going vessel in America dedicated to undergraduate research. Students travel on-board this vessel to observe whales offshore in marine biology courses, collect and examine seawater samples in oceanography courses, as well as trawl for marine fishes and invertebrates.  Several smaller boats are used in nearshore waters, coastal lagoons, and in nearby Humboldt Bay.

Humboldt marine biology graduates have many job opportunities: Marine Biologist, Teacher, Field Biologist, Aquarium Manager, Museum Curator, Science Librarian, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Consultant, Microbiologist, Biotechnology Research Technician, Medical Scientists, Environmental Planners and Scientists, Biological Technicians, Researchers/ Research Associates, and Laboratory Managers. Our graduates also often pursue advanced study in the marine sciences. 

Prerequisite (0-6 Units)


Students may demonstrate calculus readiness by achieving an appropriate score on the optional math placement assessment, completion of a course in precalculus, by completing one of the following prerequisite course pathways (or equivalent).

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major does not include a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course. Students must take a GWAR certified writing intensive course to fulfill the requirement. 

Requirements for the Major (81-89 Units)


Students who receive a grade below a C- in any prerequisite course will require instructor approval for enrollment.

Lower Division (46-49 Units)


Take all lower division courses before beginning upper division course work. Students who are considering going to graduate school in the biological sciences or professional school (e.g., medical or veterinary, etc.) are encouraged to discuss course options marked with an asterisk with a major advisor.

Complete ONE of the following:


Complete ONE of the following:


Program Learning Outcomes


Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

  1. Identify and classify marine microbes, algae, invertebrates, fishes, birds and mammals, in the context of a phylogenetic framework;
  2. Describe how marine life functions at the gene, genome, cell, tissue, organ and organ-system level. They will be able to describe the development, reproduction, and behavior of different forms of marine life and use ecological and evolutionary principles to explain how these organisms perform their functions in an environmental context;
  3. Relate the physical features of the marine environment to the structure of marine populations, communities, and ecosystems and explain how they are affected by human activities;
  4. Explain how descent with modification has shaped all biological processes and why biological evolution offers the only logical scientific explanation for the simultaneous unity and diversity of life on earth;
  5. Apply the scientific method to questions in marine biology by formulating testable hypotheses, gathering data that address these hypotheses, and analyzing those data to assess the degree to which their scientific work supports their hypotheses; and
  6. Present scientific hypotheses and data both orally and in writing in the formats that are used by practicing scientists.