Marine Sciences (BA or BS)
Students in the Marine Sciences major receive multidisciplinary training in the biological, chemical, physical, and geological processes of the ocean with emphasis on how humans impact the coastal environment. In addition to receiving a strong foundation in mathematics and natural sciences, students engage in experiential learning, fieldwork, internships, study abroad and senior-year capstone courses that foster interdisciplinary training. The Marine Sciences major at UConn prepares graduates for employment in environmental consulting, regulatory agencies and research institutions, and for graduate studies (see the Accelerated 4+1 B.S./M.S. program under "Related Programs").
Students can start the major from any campus. Upper division coursework in the major requires attendance at the Avery Point campus.
Location
- Avery Point Campus
Modality
- In Person
Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences
The B.S. in Marine Sciences requires a foundation of courses including at least 30 credits of Marine Sciences courses (27 at 2000-level and above), and 12 credits of Related Area courses.
Marine Sciences majors in the B.S. must pass the following courses:
I. Required Courses in Basic Sciences and Math
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 8 | |
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
or BIOL 1110 | Introduction to Botany | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8-10 | |
| Fundamentals of General Chemistry I and Fundamentals of General Chemistry II and Fundamentals of General Chemistry III | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Honors General Chemistry I and Honors General Chemistry II | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| Advanced Calculus I and Advanced Calculus II | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| General Physics I and General Physics II | ||
| General Physics with Calculus I and General Physics with Calculus II | ||
| Physics for Engineers I and Physics for Engineers II | ||
| Fundamentals of Physics I and Fundamentals of Physics II | ||
| Select one of the following introductory statistics or data analysis courses: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Applied Data Analysis in Earth Science | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences | ||
| Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Statistics I | ||
| Elementary Concepts of Statistics | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Total Credits | 35-38 | |
II. Marine Sciences B.S. Major Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MARN 1002E | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| or MARN 1003E | Introduction to Oceanography with Laboratory | |
| MARN 2801WE | Marine Sciences and Society | 3 |
| MARN 3001 | Foundations of Marine Sciences | 4 |
| MARN 3002 | Foundations of Marine Sciences | 3 |
| MARN 4001 | Measurement and Analysis in Coastal Ecosystems | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Science and the Coastal Environment | ||
| Senior Research Thesis 1 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Four MARN electives must be completed with at least one course from each group: | 12 | |
| Group 1 (Physical, Chemical, Geological) | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Beaches and Coasts | ||
| The Oceans and Global Climate | ||
| Coastal Circulation and Sediment Transport | ||
| Remote Sensing of Marine Geography | ||
| Chemical Oceanography | ||
| Geological Oceanography | ||
| Paleooceanography | ||
| Physical Oceanography | ||
| River Influences on the Marine Environment | ||
| Group 2 (Biological) | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Marine Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Techniques in Marine Molecular Biology | ||
| Plankton Ecology | ||
| Coastal Pollution and Bioremediation | ||
| Seminar on Marine Mammals | ||
| Seminar in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation | ||
| Biological Oceanography | ||
| Ecology of Fishes | ||
| Algae and the Environment | ||
| Geomicrobiology | ||
| Group 3 (Quantitative) | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Models of the Ocean Carbon Cycle | ||
| Experimental Design in Marine Ecology | ||
| Air-Sea Interaction | ||
| Oceanographic Data Analysis | ||
| Total Credits | 32 | |
- 1
With prior consent of the Department Head.
A maximum of four MARN 5000+ graduate level courses may be used to fulfill some of these requirements. Students may be able to use MARN 3893 International Study, MARN 4893 International Study, MARN 4895 Special Topics, MARN 4898 Variable Topics or other MARN courses towards one or more of these electives with prior approval of the Department Head.
III. Marine Sciences B.S. Related Area
In consultation with an advisor, four Related Area courses are taken in different fields or a single field of interest leading to a minor.
Bachelor of Arts in Marine Sciences
Students who choose the B.A. in Marine Sciences are typically more interested in marine and environmental policy, management, and/or education. The B.A. in Marine Sciences requires a foundation of courses including at least 30 credits of Marine Sciences courses (27 at 2000-level and above), and 12 credits constituting the Related Area.
Marine Sciences majors in the B.A. must pass the following courses:
I. Required Courses in Basic Sciences and Math
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 8 | |
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
or BIOL 1110 | Introduction to Botany | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8-10 | |
| Fundamentals of General Chemistry I and Fundamentals of General Chemistry II and Fundamentals of General Chemistry III | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | ||
| Honors General Chemistry I and Honors General Chemistry II | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-6 | |
| Precalculus and Calculus for Business and Economics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Advanced Calculus I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Physics I | ||
| General Physics with Calculus I | ||
| Physics for Engineers I | ||
| Fundamentals of Physics I | ||
| Select one of the following introductory statistics or data analysis courses: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Engineers | ||
| Applied Data Analysis in Earth Science | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences | ||
| Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Statistics I | ||
| Elementary Concepts of Statistics | ||
| Statistical Methods | ||
| Total Credits | 27-32 | |
II. Marine Sciences B.A. Major Requirements
The following courses constitute the major requirements:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MARN 1002E | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| or MARN 1003E | Introduction to Oceanography with Laboratory | |
| MARN 2801WE | Marine Sciences and Society | 3 |
| MARN 3001 | Foundations of Marine Sciences | 4 |
| MARN 3002 | Foundations of Marine Sciences | 3 |
| MARN 4001 | Measurement and Analysis in Coastal Ecosystems | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Science and the Coastal Environment | ||
| Senior Research Thesis 1 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Four MARN electives must be completed from any group listed under the Marine Sciences B.S. electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
- 1
With prior consent of the Department Head.
A maximum of four MARN 5000+ graduate level courses may be used to fulfill elective requirements. Students may be able to use MARN 3893 International Study, MARN 4893 International Study, MARN 4895 Special Topics, MARN 4898 Variable Topics or other MARN courses towards one or more of these electives with prior approval of the Department Head.
III. Marine Sciences B.A. Related Area
In consultation with an advisor, four Related Area courses are taken in different fields or a single field of interest leading to a minor.
Competency Requirements (B.S. and B.A. Programs)
The writing in the major requirement will be satisfied by MARN 2801WE Marine Sciences and Society. In addition to the introductory Quantitative (Q) courses, additional upper-division Marine Sciences Q courses are included in the Group 3 elective.
Note: Some Marine Sciences courses may be offered only at the Avery Point campus. Others may be available through Distance Learning.
University Common Curriculum Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see Common Curriculum Requirements.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's Common Curriculum requirements. For more information, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics and how these fields apply to the topics in marine sciences.
- Evaluate how human activities affect coastal and marine ecosystems.
- Evaluate a range of approaches and policies used in management of marine environments.
- Use a range of techniques to collect samples and perform laboratory analyses.
- Analyze data to the first order using appropriate computer software, graphical, and mathematical techniques.
- Convey technical information and structured arguments clearly in written form.
- Convey technical information clearly in oral form, including the use of computer slide shows.
- Find, retrieve, and organize relevant quantitative and qualitative information.
- Evaluate the relevance, reliability, consistency, and logic in quantitative and qualitative information related to the marine environment.
Minors in Marine Biology and Marine Sciences are described in the Minors section.
The Statistical Data Science major has a Marine Science concentration that includes many of the required and elective courses above that facilitates a double major.
Marine Science and Oceanography 4+1 BS/MS
Students pursuing a UConn undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Sciences can apply to use up to 12 credits of graduate coursework taken as an undergraduate towards both their B.S. and their M.S. For students in the accelerated program, the Master of Science Plan B degree can be earned in a single year after finishing the B.S. Students must take 30 credits of graduate-level work (5000 or above). 12 of those credits can be taken as part of the B.S. degree. The remaining 18 credits should primarily consist of MARN courses, but relevant graduate-level courses from other departments can be included (e.g., ERTH, etc.) when approved by the student's advisor.
Required Core Courses
All students in the accelerated program must take four core courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MARN 5010 | Biological Oceanography | 3 |
| MARN 5030 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| MARN 5050 | Geological Oceanography | 3 |
| MARN 5065 | Physical Oceanography | 3 |
To finish the combined program in five years, MARN 5010 Biological Oceanography and MARN 5050 Geological Oceanography should be taken in Year Four as an undergraduate student and MARN 5030 Chemical Oceanography and MARN 5065 Physical Oceanography should be taken in Year Five as a graduate student.
Final Examination
The students in the accelerated program will be responsible for the material in the four core courses and must pass a final examination.
For more information, see the Marine Sciences Departmental website.