Overview

The Marine Science/Chemistry degree is a Bachelor of Science degree (BSMAS) that is designed to give students a strong background in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, the impact and fate of marine pollutants, marine geochemistry and ocean/atmosphere interactions. 

Undergraduate students are encouraged to work with the faculty and are able to earn course credit by conducting independent research under the supervision of leading scientists in their field. Research at UM focuses on the role of ocean processes in carbon cycling and global climate change.

The Bachelor of Science double major in Marine Science/Chemistry prepares students for admission to graduate programs and for careers in teaching and research as well as for technical careers in government and private industries concerned with the oceans.

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Science
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 215Chemical Oceanography3
MSC 216Chemical Oceanography Laboratory1
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography3
MBE 232Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory1
or MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab
Select 6 credit hours of approved Rosenstiel School electives within ATM, GSC, MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM courses 16
MSC chemistry elective course from approved list 23
Other Required Courses
BMB 401Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences4
BIL 150
& BIL 151		General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory		5
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry4
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHM 221Introduction to Structure and Dynamics4
CHM 205Chemical Dynamics Laboratory1
CHM 222Organic Reactions and Synthesis4
CHM 206Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory2
CHM 214Quantitative Analytical Chemistry3
CHM 320Instrumental Methods in Chemistry and Biochemistry2
CHM 360Physical Chemistry I (Lecture)3
CHM 364Physical Chemistry (Laboratory I)1
CHM 365Physical Chemistry II (Lecture)3
CHM 401Environmental Chemistry3
CHM 441Inorganic Chemistry (Lecture)3
Select one of the following :3
CHM 317
The Chemistry of Food and Taste.
Any 500-level Chemistry course as described for Chemistry BS majors
Select one of the following:3-4
GSC 110
The Earth System
GSC 111
Earth System History
MSC 424
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands.
MTH 161Calculus I 34
or MTH 171 Calculus I
MTH 162Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement)4
or MTH 172 Calculus II
MSC 204Environmental Statistics3
or MTH 224 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Select one of the following:3-4
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
MSC 203
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
MBE 536
Object-Oriented Programming and Agent-Based Modelling
Select one of the following options: 410
Option 1:
PHY 201
University Physics I for the Sciences
PHY 106
College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 202
University Physics II for the Sciences
PHY 108
College Physics Laboratory II
Option 2:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
University Physics II
PHY 223
University Physics III
PHY 224
University Physics II Lab
or PHY 225
 University Physics III Lab
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 107First-Year Writing II: STEM3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161
Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
or MTH 171
 Calculus I
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Total Credit Hours121
1

At least 6 of which must be at the 300-level or higher. MSC 204 and MSC 425 do not satisfy the Rosenstiel School elective requirement. ATM courses, GSC courses, and courses from other Schools are allowed only if taken from an approved list.

2

An upper-level Rosenstiel School course with Chemistry topics, including MSC 317, MSC 402, MSC 417, MSC 419, OCE 512, and OCE 522.

3

Calculus I must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher.

4

Option 1 is recommended for Physics.

Suggested Plan of Study

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Marine Science/Chemistry major.  Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
MSC 111 Introduction to Marine Science 3
MSC 112 Introduction to Marine Science Lab 1
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSC 215 Chemical Oceanography 3
MSC 216 Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1
GSC 111 Earth System History 4
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours15
Sophomore Year
Fall
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 General Biology Laboratory 1
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
PHY 201 University Physics I for the Sciences 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC 301 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3
CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis 4
CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory 2
PHY 202 University Physics II for the Sciences 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
 Credit Hours17
Junior Year
Fall
MSC 203 Foundations of Computational Marine Science 4
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
MBE 232 Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory 1
CHM 214 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry 3
CHM 360 Physical Chemistry I (Lecture) 3
CHM 364 Physical Chemistry (Laboratory I) 1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CHM 317 The Chemistry of Food and Taste. 3
CHM 320 Instrumental Methods in Chemistry and Biochemistry 2
CHM 365 Physical Chemistry II (Lecture) 3
Elective #1 3
Elective #2 3
 Credit Hours14
Senior Year
Fall
CHM 401 Environmental Chemistry 3
BMB 401 Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences 4
MSC Course 3
Elective #3 3
Elective #4 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CHM 441 Inorganic Chemistry (Lecture) 3
MSC Course 3
CHM/MSC Elective 3
Elective # 5 3
Elective #6 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123
*

 6 elective courses must include:

  • 3 Arts and Humanities Cognate courses
  • 3 People and Society Cognate courses
1

 Students must take one laboratory from MBE 232 or MSC 302.

Mission

The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.

The educational mission of the BS degree in Marine Science at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of marine science into their future careers. 

Goals

Students completing this double major will be able to master a broad set of fundamental scientific knowledge in Marine Science and Chemistry, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in light of increasing societal issues facing humanity today. The program will provide the rigor, flexibility, depth and integration to enable students to:

  • Design and pursue their course of study that meets requirements of a double major in Marine Science and Chemistry.
  • Learn from the diverse and outstanding group of professors and researchers who are experts in their fields and have active research programs.
  • Undertake active research experiences, which will allow them to gain a strong understanding of the scientific process and provide them with a set of valuable experimental and computational skills.
  • Prepare themselves for graduate school and for successful careers in public and private industries.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.
  • Students will develop analytical and quantitative skills to allow critical data analysis.
  • Students will be able to do carry out supervised research in the field of marine science.