Marine Biology is an exciting and very popular field of study. It is a branch of oceanography.
At Brigham Young University, the marine program follows a common nationally suggested curriculum preparing students for graduate study. Marine biology students declare a major in zoology taking a required balanced core of zoology classes that provides a broad background in this subject. Math, physics and chemistry are also included and marine biology classes are taken as major electives. It really doesn't matter which university students attend as an undergraduate, because they don't get courses, other than introductory, in marine biology until graduate school. Marine biology is similar to other preprofessional programs in that you take a broad background on the undergraduate level and then specialize in graduate school.
Students are involved one or more spring terms in studying the natural marine environment because it is best for student preparation and to pacify natural interests. It is recommended that students pick up a bibliography list from a marine biology text and read research articles in areas of interest. This will help prepare students for the field and will keep interests high through the off-seasons away from the marine environment.
The disciplines and employment areas in marine biology are quite wide. The great majority of marine biologists are associated with universities, where they teach and carry out research.
The main job opportunities in the field of marine biology are as follows:
- Teaching (secondary, college, and university)
- Research (private, state, and national government agencies)
- Marine aquaculture / Shellfish and fish fisheries
- Consulting (environmental impact)
- Free-lance writing / Photography
- Movie and video production
- Museum work
- Aquarium curation
- Park services
After arriving on campus, new students should contact the advisement center (380 Widtsoe Bldg) to pick up additional information on the marine biology program.
