Overview

The Marine Science/Physics degree is a Bachelor of Science degree (BSMAS) that is designed to give students a strong background in the study of the spatial and temporal variability in the ocean. Measurements from current meters, profilers and satellites are used to develop models of ocean circulation, water and heat transport, and effects of circulation patterns on the biology and chemistry of the ocean.

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 ocean/atmosphere interactions, remote sensing, biophysical interactions, and the ocean’s effect on weather and climate.

The Bachelor of Science double major in Marine Science/Physics 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
or MBE 232 Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography3
MSC 302Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab1
Select 12 credit hours of approved Rosenstiel School electives within ATM, GSC, MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM courses 112
Other Required Courses
BIL 150
& BIL 151		General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory		5
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry 24
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
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) 34
or MTH 172 Calculus II
MTH 210Introduction to Linear Algebra3
MTH 211Calculus III3
or MTH 310 Multivariable Calculus
MTH 311Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
MSC 204Environmental Statistics3
or MTH 224 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Select one of following:3-4
MSC 203
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
MBE 536
Scientific Programming and Simulation Modelling
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Select one of the following options:10-11
Option 1:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
University Physics II
PHY 223
University Physics III
PHY 224
University Physics II Lab
PHY 225
University Physics III Lab
Option 2:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 230
Honors University Physics II-III
PHY 224
University Physics II Lab
PHY 225
University Physics III Lab
Option 3:
PHY 201
University Physics I for the Sciences
PHY 202
University Physics II for the Sciences
PHY 106
College Physics Laboratory I
or PHY 224
 University Physics II Lab
PHY 108
College Physics Laboratory II
or PHY 225
 University Physics III Lab
Option 4:
PHY 211
University Physics I for PRISM
PHY 212
University Physics II for PRISM
PHY 106
College Physics Laboratory I
or PHY 224
 University Physics II Lab
PHY 108
College Physics Laboratory II
or PHY 225
 University Physics III Lab
PHY 321Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory3
PHY 340Classical Mechanics I3
PHY 350Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism3
PHY 351Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II3
PHY 360Introduction to Modern Physics3
PHY 362Modern Physics Honors Seminar1
PHY 540Classical Mechanics II3
PHY 560Quantum Mechanics and Modern Physics I3
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)
Electives
Additional Elective 41
Total Credit Hours120
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

Principles of Chemistry must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher. 

3

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

4

This 1-credit elective is only required for students who choose a 10-credit Physics Option.

Suggested Plan of Study

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Marine Science/Physics 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
PHY 221 University Physics I 3
GSC 111 Earth System History 4
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours14
Sophomore Year
Fall
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 General Biology Laboratory 1
PHY 222 University Physics II 3
PHY 224 University Physics II Lab 1
MTH 210 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
MTH 211 Calculus III 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC 301 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3
MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab 1 1
PHY 223 University Physics III 3
PHY 225 University Physics III Lab 1
MTH 311 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
Elective #1 3
Elective #2 3
 Credit Hours17
Junior Year
Fall
MSC 203 Foundations of Computational Marine Science 4
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
PHY 350 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHY 360 Introduction to Modern Physics 3
Elective #3 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSC 215 Chemical Oceanography 3
MSC 216 Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1 1
PHY 321 Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory 3
PHY 340 Classical Mechanics I 3
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
Elective #4 3
 Credit Hours16
Senior Year
Fall
MSC Course 3
MSC Course 3
PHY 362 Modern Physics Honors Seminar 1
PHY 540 Classical Mechanics II 3
PHY 560 Quantum Mechanics and Modern Physics I 3
Elective #5 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSC Course 3
MSC Course 3
PHY 351 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II 3
Elective #6 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours122
1

Students must take one laboratory from MSC 216 or MBE 232.

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 Physics, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in a time of increasing stress on Earth’s resources and environment. 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 Physics.
  • 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.