Marine Sciences Minor

Undergraduates fascinated by the sea will find the minor in marine sciences challenging and rewarding. The minor is recommended for students considering a career in oceanography. Oceanography is most frequently offered as a graduate-level degree. To prepare you for graduate work, we offer courses in marine physical and biological sciences and opportunities for research.

Students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and 4th semester standing to apply to the minor. An Entrance to Minor Application Form must be completed and returned to the marine sciences program office before the beginning of the student's final semester. The marine sciences committee awards a certificate in marine sciences to any undergraduate who, in addition to meeting the requirements for a major of the student's choice, completes the following requirements for the minor.

Required Coursework (8 credits)

Marine Geology
Geosc 440: Chemical and physical processes affecting the topography and sediments of the sea floor. Prerequisite: six natural science credits.
The Oceans
Meteo 22: A survey of oceanic properties and processes, with emphasis on the mechanisms of tides, waves and ocean currents.
Aquatic Ecology
Biol 435: Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of freshwater environments, with special emphasis on factors regulating productivity in freshwater ecosystems. Prerequisite: Biol 220W
-OR-
Invertebrate Zoology
Biol 417: Function and form of major invertebrate phyla. Prerequisite: Biol 110

Field Work (6 credits)

Please contact the Marine Science Program Office for more details.

Special Project (1 credit minimum)

A complete undergraduate science education should include an introduction to research. The marine science faculty are eager to involve students in their research; in a few cases, stipends are available. To encourage this type of interaction, a one-credit special project is required for the marine sciences minor (usually satisfied by registering for one or more credits of 496). The nature of the research, whether it be field, laboratory, computer, or library based, depends on the agreement between the student and the faculty advisor. The project must be marine-related and approved by the marine science program chair. Download the project approval form here or contact the Marine Science Minor Program Office (2217 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building; 814.863.7091).

Elective Courses (3 credits)

Choose one course from the following list:
Meteorology
Meteo 451: Elements of Physical Oceanography
Geosciences
Geosc 497: Physical and Chemical Sedimentology
Geosc 497: Marine Biogeochemistry
Geosc 497: Field Methods in Sedimentary Geochemistry
Geosc 415: Geochemistry
Geosc 426: Paleoecology
Geosc 438: Biogenic Sedimentation
Geosc 489: Dynamics of the Earth
Biology
Biol/ERM 415: Ecotoxicology
Biol 446: Physiological Ecology
Biol 450: Experimental Field Ecology
Biol 499A: Tropical Field Ecology
Wildlife and Fisheries Science
WFS 452 and 453: Ichthyology and Ichthyology Laboratory
Biol 536: Freshwater Field Ecology N.B. field course that follows Biol 435
Environmental Resource Management
ERM 412: Resource Systems Analysis
ERM 413: Case Studies in Ecosystems Management
ERM 475: Water Quality Chemistry

Course substitutions must be approved by the Marine Sciences Committee.
COURSE SUBSTITUTION FORM