2 answers
Chanté
Student
Lithonia, Georgia
2
Questions
Asked
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Is it beneficial to major in marine biology in undergrad if you want to be a marine biologist?
There are no marine bio progams in my state so wonder if I should just major in regular biology. #college #biology #undergraduate #marine-biology #studies #programs
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2 answers
Joe L.
Program Manager
120
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Some good news here. Please read on to show how you have several paths towards that career and you don't need an undergraduate in that specialization to succeed. Best route might be to have a Biology Major (commonly available) with additional electives that prepare you for graduate school in this field.
Here are common undergraduate majors that serve as strong pathways into graduate studies or careers in marine biology:
Natural Sciences Majors
Biology (most common path)
Strengths: Broad coverage—ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology. Easily tailored with electives toward marine systems.
Weakness: General; you’ll need to seek out marine‐related electives, internships, or research to specialize.
Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or Environmental Biology
Strengths: Focus on ecosystems, biodiversity, species interactions—very relevant to marine ecology.
Weakness: May not cover as much chemistry or physiology as marine biology research sometimes requires.
Environmental Science
Strengths: Covers ecosystems, conservation, environmental policy, human impact—great if you’re interested in applied marine conservation.
Weakness: Often broader and less lab‐heavy; may need extra coursework in core biology/chemistry if planning grad school in marine biology.
Zoology
Strengths: Strong in animal biology, evolution, physiology. Directly relevant if you want to study marine animals (fish, mammals, invertebrates).
Weakness: May not cover oceanography or marine ecosystems in depth.
Physical Sciences Majors
Oceanography / Earth Science / Geosciences (if available)
Strengths: Physical and chemical aspects of the ocean (currents, climate, geology, nutrient cycling). Very useful if you lean toward the physical/environmental side of marine biology.
Weakness: Less focus on living organisms—pairing with biology electives would be smart.
Chemistry (especially Environmental or Marine Chemistry if offered)
Strengths: Strong foundation for studying water chemistry, pollution, biogeochemical cycles.
Weakness: Not as much ecology/organism focus.
Cross‐Disciplinary Majors
Biochemistry / Molecular Biology
Strengths: Useful for marine genetics, microbiology, physiology, biotechnology.
Weakness: Heavily lab‐based at the cellular/molecular level—less ecological or field emphasis.
Environmental Engineering (less common, but can be relevant)
Strengths: Strong if you want to work with marine pollution, habitat restoration, or human–ocean systems.
eakness: More applied engineering focus; you may miss out on organismal biology.
Key Takeaway
If a school doesn’t have “Marine Biology” specifically:
Biology (with electives in ecology, oceanography, and environmental science) is usually the most flexible and direct choice.
From there, you can tailor your coursework, do summer research programs (REUs), or internships at marine labs/aquariums to get hands‐on marine experience. Many students specialize in marine biology at the graduate level (master’s or PhD).
Here are common undergraduate majors that serve as strong pathways into graduate studies or careers in marine biology:
Natural Sciences Majors
Biology (most common path)
Strengths: Broad coverage—ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology. Easily tailored with electives toward marine systems.
Weakness: General; you’ll need to seek out marine‐related electives, internships, or research to specialize.
Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, or Environmental Biology
Strengths: Focus on ecosystems, biodiversity, species interactions—very relevant to marine ecology.
Weakness: May not cover as much chemistry or physiology as marine biology research sometimes requires.
Environmental Science
Strengths: Covers ecosystems, conservation, environmental policy, human impact—great if you’re interested in applied marine conservation.
Weakness: Often broader and less lab‐heavy; may need extra coursework in core biology/chemistry if planning grad school in marine biology.
Zoology
Strengths: Strong in animal biology, evolution, physiology. Directly relevant if you want to study marine animals (fish, mammals, invertebrates).
Weakness: May not cover oceanography or marine ecosystems in depth.
Physical Sciences Majors
Oceanography / Earth Science / Geosciences (if available)
Strengths: Physical and chemical aspects of the ocean (currents, climate, geology, nutrient cycling). Very useful if you lean toward the physical/environmental side of marine biology.
Weakness: Less focus on living organisms—pairing with biology electives would be smart.
Chemistry (especially Environmental or Marine Chemistry if offered)
Strengths: Strong foundation for studying water chemistry, pollution, biogeochemical cycles.
Weakness: Not as much ecology/organism focus.
Cross‐Disciplinary Majors
Biochemistry / Molecular Biology
Strengths: Useful for marine genetics, microbiology, physiology, biotechnology.
Weakness: Heavily lab‐based at the cellular/molecular level—less ecological or field emphasis.
Environmental Engineering (less common, but can be relevant)
Strengths: Strong if you want to work with marine pollution, habitat restoration, or human–ocean systems.
eakness: More applied engineering focus; you may miss out on organismal biology.
Key Takeaway
If a school doesn’t have “Marine Biology” specifically:
Biology (with electives in ecology, oceanography, and environmental science) is usually the most flexible and direct choice.
From there, you can tailor your coursework, do summer research programs (REUs), or internships at marine labs/aquariums to get hands‐on marine experience. Many students specialize in marine biology at the graduate level (master’s or PhD).
Steve Lewis
Assistant Vice President, Cybersecurity Team Lead & Technical Product Owner | Technical Lead | Public Speaker
83
Answers
Haddonfield, New Jersey
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Could you go to college out of state? For example, Rutgers University in NJ has a great program. https://marine.rutgers.edu/main/