Overview

The Marine Science/Biology degree is a Bachelor of Science degree (BS) that is designed to give students a strong background in the structure and function of marine organisms from the cell and molecular level to their role in ecosystem function. 

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 tropical marine and coral reef ecology, fisheries conservation and management, and the use of marine organisms as models for environmental stress and human disease.

The Bachelor of Science double major in Marine Science/Biology 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 Core Requirements
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 215Chemical Oceanography3
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MBE 232Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory1
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography3
or MSC 351 Climate, Oceanography, and Biogeography of the Galapagos
MSC 351 and MSC 352 taken together in the Galapagos may be used to complete the MSC 301 requirement and 3 credits of major electives.
MSC 216Chemical Oceanography Laboratory1
or MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab
Marine Science Core Elective Requirements
Select 9 credit hours of which 6 must be 300-level or higher approved Rosenstiel School electives (MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM). 19
Courses from other disciplines are allowed only if taken from the following ATM 244, ATM 307, BIL 333, BIL 337, ECS 312, ECS 403, GEG 348, GSC 222, GSC 230, GSC 231, GSC 240, GSC 309, GSC 360, GSC 380, GSC 411, MTH 359. 1
MSC 204 and MSC 425 do not satisfy the Rosenstiel School elective requirement.
Biology Core Requirements
BIL 150
& BIL 151		General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory		5
BIL 160
& BIL 161		Evolution and Biodiversity
and Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory		5
BIL 250Genetics4
Select three of the following:9
BIL 255
Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIL 320
Evolutionary Biology
BIL 330
Ecology
BIL 360
Comparative Physiology
Biology Core Elective Requirements
Select 9 credit hours of core electives as described for Biology majors9
Must include at least one lab or field course (excluding MBE 232 and BIL231).
Must include a minimum of 3 credit hours and no more than 8 credit hours in total from the following BIL 333, BIL 337, MSC 317, MBE 323, MBE 324, MBE 326, MBE 329, MBE 350, MSC 364, MBE 407, MBE 409, MBE 415, MSC 417, MSC 421, MSC 422, MSC 423, MBE 426, MSC 429, MBE 463, MBE 465, MBE 466. 2
200+ Level Approved Science or Mathematics Elective Requirement (CHM 222 and CHM 206 are recommended)3
Including but not limited to ATM, BIL, BMB, BME, CAE, CET, CHM, CSC, ECE, GSC, MAE, MBE, MIC, MTH, MSC, NEU, OCE, PHY, RSM.
Chemistry Requirements
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry (minimum grade of C- required)4
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHM 221Introduction to Structure and Dynamics4
CHM 205Chemical Dynamics Laboratory1
Geological Sciences Requirement3-4
Select one of the following:
GSC 110
The Earth System
GSC 111
Earth System History
MSC 424
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands. 3
Mathematics Requirements
MTH 161Calculus I (minimum grade of C- required)4
or MTH 171 Calculus I
MTH 162Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BS quantitative skills requirement)4
or MTH 172 Calculus II
Statistics or Computational Science Requirement 4
Select one of the following:3-4
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MSC 203
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Physics Requirements
Select one of the following options:10
Option 1 (recommended):
PHY 201
& PHY 106
University Physics I for the Sciences
and Physics Laboratory 1
PHY 202
& PHY 108
University Physics II for the Sciences
and Physics Laboratory 2
Option 2:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
University Physics II
PHY 223
University Physics III
PHY 106
Physics Laboratory 1
or PHY 108
 Physics Laboratory 2
Option 3:
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and Physics Laboratory 1
PHY 102
& PHY 108
College Physics II
and Physics Laboratory 2
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 Cognate 9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Elective (CHM 222 and CHM 206 recommended)3
Total Credit Hours120-122
1

At least 6 credit hours of which must be at the 300-level or higher. Courses from other disciplines are allowed only if taken from an approved list.

2

BIL 333, BIL 337, or an MBE or MSC course from the MBE/MSC courses that count for BIL electives approved list.

3

Students who participate in the UGalapagos Program may use MSC 424 (a 3-credit course) to fulfill the Geological Sciences requirement.

4

Equivalent Statistics or Computational Science course may be substituted with permission from the Marine Science Undergraduate Program Director.

Suggested Plan of Study

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Marine Science/Biology 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
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 General Biology Laboratory 1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory 1
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours17
Sophomore Year
Fall
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
MBE 232 Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory 1
GSC 111 Earth System History 4
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
A&H Course #1 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
MSC 215 Chemical Oceanography 3
MSC 216 Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1 1
MSC Course 3
BIL 250 Genetics 4
A&H Course #2 3
A&H Course #3 3
 Credit Hours17
Junior Year
Fall
MSC Course 3
BIL 255 Cellular and Molecular Biology 3
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 Physics Laboratory 1 1
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIL 330 Ecology 3
BIL Course 3
PHY 202 University Physics II for the Sciences 4
PHY 108 Physics Laboratory 2 1
P&S Course #1 3
 Credit Hours14
Senior Year
Fall
MSC 301 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3
BIL 360 Comparative Physiology 3
Science Elective 3
P&S Course #2 3
P&S Course #3 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC Course 3
BIL Course from elective list 3
BIL course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
 Total Credit Hours121
1

Students must take one laboratory from MSC 216 or MSC 302.

Additional Major Curriculum Requirements

Students who wish to complete the additional major must complete the full combined double major in addition to course pre-requisites. Please note that there may be financial aid implications if adding the additional major increases the length of a student’s degree beyond 120 credits. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with a financial aid representative before declaring the additional major.

If a student would like to add a Marine Science/Biology as an additional major, they need to meet with the Marine Science Program Director before submitting their Academic Change Form to their Cane Navigator for processing. 

Pre-Requisite Mathematics Requirements
MTH 161
Calculus I (minimum grade of C- required)
or MTH 171
 Calculus I
MTH 162
Calculus II
or MTH 172
 Calculus II
Pre-Requisite Statistics or Computational Science Requirement
Select one of the following:
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MSC 203
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
An equivalent Statistics or Computational Science course may be substituted with permission from the Marine Science Undergraduate Program Director for students required to complete a Statistics course for their primary major. Approved courses include but are not limited to ECS 204, EPS 351, ISE 311, MAS 201, MAS 311, NUR 202, PSY 291, PSY 292, SOC 211.
Pre-Requisite Chemistry Requirements
CHM 121
Principles of Chemistry (minimum grade of C- required)
CHM 113
Chemistry Laboratory I
CHM 221
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
CHM 205
Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
Pre-Requisite Geological Sciences Requirement
Select one of the following:
GSC 110
The Earth System
GSC 111
Earth System History
MSC 424
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands. 1
Pre-Requisite Physics Requirements
Select one of the following options:
Option 1 (recommended):
PHY 201
& PHY 106
University Physics I for the Sciences
and Physics Laboratory 1
PHY 202
& PHY 108
University Physics II for the Sciences
and Physics Laboratory 2
Option 2:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
University Physics II
PHY 223
University Physics III
PHY 106
Physics Laboratory 1
or PHY 108
 Physics Laboratory 2
Option 3:
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and Physics Laboratory 1
PHY 102
& PHY 108
College Physics II
and Physics Laboratory 2
Marine Science Core Requirements
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 215Chemical Oceanography3
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MBE 232Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory1
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography3
or MSC 351 Climate, Oceanography, and Biogeography of the Galapagos
MSC 351 and MSC 352 taken together in the Galapagos may be used to complete the MSC 301 requirement and 3 credits of major electives.
MSC 216Chemical Oceanography Laboratory1
or MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab
Marine Science Core Elective Requirements
Select 9 credit hours of which 6 must be 300-level or higher approved Rosenstiel School electives (MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM). 29
Courses from other disciplines are allowed only if taken from the following ATM 244, ATM 307, BIL 333, BIL 337, ECS 312, ECS 403, GEG 348, GSC 222, GSC 230, GSC 231, GSC 240, GSC 309, GSC 360, GSC 380, GSC 411, MTH 359. 2
MSC 204 and MSC 425 do not satisfy the Rosenstiel School elective requirement
Biology Core Requirements
BIL 150
& BIL 151		General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory		5
BIL 160
& BIL 161		Evolution and Biodiversity
and Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory		5
BIL 250Genetics4
Select three of the following:9
BIL 255
Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIL 320
Evolutionary Biology
BIL 330
Ecology
BIL 360
Comparative Physiology
Biology Core Elective Requirements
Select 9 credit hours of core electives as described for Biology majors9
Must include at least one lab or field course (excluding MBE 232 and BIL 231).
Must include a minimum of 3 credit hours and no more than 8 credit hours in total from the following BIL 333, BIL 337, MSC 317, MBE 323, MBE 324, MBE 326, MBE 329, MBE 350, MSC 364, MBE 407, MBE 409, MBE 415, MSC 417, MSC 421, MSC 422, MSC 423, MBE 426, MSC 429, MBE 463, MBE 465, MBE 466 3
Total Credit Hours56
 
1

Students who participate in the UGalapagos Program may use MSC 424 (a 3-credit course) to fulfill the Geological Sciences requirement.

2

At least 6 credit hours of which must be at the 300-level or higher. Courses from other disciplines are allowed only if taken from an approved list.

3

BIL 333, BIL 337, or an MBE or MSC course from the MBE/MSC courses that count for BIL electives approved list.

Note:

Your primary major must a minimum of 24 credits of core major requirements.  They must be different than those used for this additional major.  

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 Biology, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in a time of increasing stress on marine 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 Biology.
  • 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.
  • Students will be able to present and synthesize background information from scientific literature and report findings from their laboratory experiments or observations from their field work.