Marine Biology, B.S.

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).

• MATH 102 - Algebra and Elementary Functions Units: 4

• or

• MATH 101 - College Algebra Units: 3  and MATH 101T - Trigonometry Units: 3     

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.

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.