Overview

Marine Science is an interdisciplinary program dealing with the study of the world’s oceans, their physical and biological constituents, the influence of oceanic resources on human society, and the conservation and future development of these resources.

The Bachelor of Science in Marine Science is a full double major program that requires a major in Marine Science through the Rosenstiel School and a second major in one of the sciences. Approved second majors in Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Engineering (all disciplines), and Mathematics may be taken. Students interested in adding a second major in one of these disciplines should review the Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Engineering (all disciplines), or Mathematics pages for additional requirements. Each of the areas of concentration constitutes a rigorous program requiring 120-130 credit hours for graduation.

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Science Requirements
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 215Chemical Oceanography3
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography 13
Select two of the following laboratories:2
Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 2
Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory 2
Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab 3
Select 12 credit hours of approved Rosenstiel School electives within ATM, GSC, MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM courses 412
Biology Requirements
Select one of the following:5
General Biology
and General Biology Laboratory
Evolution and Biodiversity
and Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory
Chemistry Requirements
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry 54
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
Geological Sciences Requirement 103-4
Select one of the following:
The Earth System
Earth System History
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands. (Approval Required) 10
Mathematics Requirements
MTH 161Calculus I 64
or MTH 171 Calculus I
MTH 162Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement)4
or MTH 172 Calculus II
Statistics or Computational Science Requirement3-4
Select one of the following:
Environmental Statistics (MSC 204)
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Computer Programming I
Computing for Scientists
Physics Requirements
Select one of the following options: 710
Option 1 (recommended):
University Physics I for the Sciences
Physics Laboratory 1
University Physics II for the Sciences
Physics Laboratory 2
Option 2:
University Physics I
University Physics II
University Physics III
University Physics II Lab
University Physics III Lab
Option 3:
College Physics I
College Physics II
Physics Laboratory 1
Physics Laboratory 2
Requirements for Second Science Major 832
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:
Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
Calculus II
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Elective 93
Total Credit Hours120-122
1

MSC 351 and MSC 352 taken together in the Galapagos may be used to complete the MSC 301 requirement and 3 credits of approved Rosenstiel School electives.

2

Required for Biochemistry double majors.

3

Required for Engineering, Mathematics and Applied Physics double majors.

4

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. CAE 330 or MAE 309 may double count for both MSC and Engineering.  One MSC course from an approved list may double count for both MSC and Applied Physics.

5

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

6

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

7

Option 1 or 2 is recommended for Physics. Option 2 (University Physics) is required for Engineering and Applied Physics.

8

Students should review the Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Engineering (all disciplines), or Mathematics page for the second major requirements and credits needed.

9

An extra elective is not required for Biochemistry.

10

Students who participate in the UGalapagos Program may use MSC 424 (a 3-credit course) to fulfill the Geological Sciences requirement and complete the BSMAS degree in 120 credits.  All other students will need to complete 121-122 credits depending on the course used to fulfill the Statistics or Computational Science requirement.

 Suggested Plan of Study - Marine Science/Second Major

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Marine Science/Second  Major program.  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
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
GSC 111 Earth System History 4
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore Year
Fall
MSC 203 Foundations of Computational Marine Science 4
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
PHY 221 University Physics I 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
A&H Cognate Course #1 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSC 301 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3
MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab 1
PHY 222 University Physics II 3
PHY 224 University Physics II Lab 1
A&H Cognate Course #2 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
 Credit Hours14
Junior Year
Fall
PHY 223 University Physics III 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
STEM Second Major Course 4
A&H Cognate Course #3 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSC 215 Chemical Oceanography 3
MSC 216 Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1
MSC Course 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
P&S Cognate Course #1 3
P&S Cognate Course #2 3
 Credit Hours16
Senior Year
Fall
MSC Course 3
P&S Cognate Course #3 3
Elective 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSC Course 3
MSC Course 3
STEM Second Major Course 3
STEM Second Major Course 4
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours122

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, 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.
  • 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.