Introduction
Marine biology is the scientific study of the Ocean and the wide variety of Marine life form, their behavior & their interaction with the underwater environment. The field of marine biology is very important as it deals with more than 70 per cent of the earth’s surface and holds different job possibilities for those interested in studying & college graduates with the degree. Once it is decided for one to study marine biology, it is expected that one takes into account the best colleges that offer this degree program to get the best learning experience towards achieving one’s Career Ambitions.
Best Marine Biology colleges
There is a broad list of the best colleges that offer first-class marine biology programs around the world. This article, however, features some of these colleges that offer first-class marine biology programs set in the United States and ascertained to provide one with a practical & research-filled experience while studying the program to kick start a promising career.
List of Best Marine Biology colleges in the US
Here are the 11 best marine biology colleges to help one find the best higher education experience to study the marine course in no particular order.
- Eckerd College, St Petersburg
- Boston University
- Duke University,
- Oregon State University
- Stony Brook University
- University of North Carolina
- University of Miami
- University of New Hampshire
- University of California Los Angeles
- The University of Hawaii at Hilo
- University of Maine
Eckerd college
Eckerd college is one of the top schools that offer a truly unique learning experience of marine science while in one’s undergraduate studies.
Founded in 1958, This college is located in St. Petersburg, FL, and is considered a beach school due to part of the campus being waterfront found on Boca Ciega Bay. The location makes it an ideal choice for students looking to study marine biology offering 4 specialized courses in the marine biology field namely
Marine Geophysics
Marine Geology
Marine chemistry
This marine program gives one on one attention from professors with a hands-on educational approach that allows students to have in-field experience by stepping outside of the classroom to have classes on the Ocean using university boats to learn more about the diverse marine ecosystem.
Eckerd College offers students a lot of research opportunities such as the Dolphin project alongside a comprehensive field experience in a study abroad program at Bermuda Institute for ocean sciences on the Bermuda island
The University marine biology program is truly an incredible experience and the best to pave the way if one is looking to do a lot of international fieldwork as a career with extensive opportunities in Research, and professional and intensive laboratory experiences. Although tuition is expensive.
Boston University
Boston University offers a marine biology program called BUMP( Boston University marine program) that involves a great deal of research & extensive hands-on training in specialized areas like a marine conversation, ocean exploration, biomimicry, & functional genomics, Housed within the university’s College of arts & sciences. This degree has multiple opportunities and is nothing short of incredible.
The program exposes students to a variety of courses in biology, chemistry, geology & oceanography with the first year of education involving several general education courses, which are easy & flexible alongside other required classes like Bio optical oceanography however, Boston University offers a semester called ” Marine semester” that provides a more hands-on & in-depth study of marine biology courses. The marine semester offers extensive research in a variety of locations which is strengthened by close ties between the Biology faculty & Department of earth & environment.
The University partners with the new England aquarium, the University of Belize, and the Stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary to provide research opportunities that prepare students for their careers early. However, like Eckerd college, the tuition fee is quite costly and has a thorough admission.
Duke university
Duke University is based in Durham, North Carolina & has the Top main biology program. The University is a private institution founded in 1838 & offers a top-tier biology degree with a discipline in marine biology. The University hosts over 45 active research laboratories that help students study areas like ecology, molecular biology, genomics, and cell biology and excel in various fields of marine biology research. The University offers a master’s degree & Doctorate alongside the undergraduate programs including Marine Ecology
Comparative physiology of marine animals
The university is also in the history books as the first to use fossilized faecal in the restructuring of the primordial ecosystem theories. It also offers a broad, applicable knowledge of marine biology due to it not being very distinct from general biology giving students the opportunities for a wider Learning experience. However, the school tuition is quite pricey OK but strives to provide the perfect learning environment for students studying the program.
Oregon states university
The Oregon State University Located in Corvallis, is a nationally ranked university however it does not have a Dedicated marine biology major, but offers a biology degree where marine biology may be selected by students as a concentration.
The Hatfield Marine Science Center located in Newport Oregon hosts students and provides them with essential exposure and hands-on research experience during the semester. The centre also has a residency where students live during the term and gain access to conduct a scientific study on the ocean
Hatfield Marine Science Center how fast are terms namely spring summer and fall where different topics are studied During each term like estuarine ecology, coastal ecology, aquatic microbiology, and biological oceanography.
Stony Brook University
This university makes a mark by being a renowned stem college however still has a strong marine Biology science program founded in 1979 that administers a marine degree from the University School of marine and atmospheric science which is one of the nation’s top oceanographic institutions. Stony Brook’s marrying program uses the influence of hands-on learning in the 4th specialized areas in the marine science program which includes Biological oceanographic, experimental marine biology, marine pollution, and disease of aquatic organisms however students are advised to begin with general education courses to attain a greater knowledge before moving into the higher interdisciplinary curriculum. The university has first-class laboratory facilities providing students with opportunities for research and hands-on training In the Marine biology field With external access to the Ocean the college is located close to the waters of long island sound and the coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean. Stony Brook’s marine program also encourages studies and internships as essential aspects of proper pretty sure experiential learning. Being a public university is also to advantage with the tuition being more affordable.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina(UNC) Is a public research university and has been one of the marine biology colleges since the year 1894. The Department of marine sciences (MASC) has a center degree program in the study of marine sciences, although officially known for offering graduate programs, it also gives introductory courses to undergraduate programs for students and encourages more students to partake in the program, the University funds teaching assistantships for graduate students in their first year.
Some of the courses offered in the marine science program at UNC-Chapel Hill are
- Marine phytoplankton
- Modelling of marine and earth systems
- Barrier island ecology and geology
- Marine In vertebrate biology
Housed within the university are two premier research institutions that specialize in marine biology studies namely the institute of marine sciences and the aquarium Research Center which provide Students with total assets so cutting edge research and proper practical training for young marine biologists.
University of Miami
A top contender in the list of the best marine biology colleges is the University of Miami base just a few miles from the shores of southern Florida. The university department of marine biology and ecology is said to provide students with first-class education and adequate experience needed to excel in the career path of marine biologists.
They offer a broad choice of bachelor’s degree programs in the marine biology and ecology sector with a huge range of specialized areas like Marine affairs, oceanography, and Geological sciences. Students have the choice to either select a research course or decide what they need for their future careers.
University of New Hampshire
With a 92% success rate, the University of New Hampshire ranks high as a research university located on a Bay off the coast of the city. The college offers comprehensive marine biology majors in areas like marine, Freshwater and estuarine biology Under the school of marine science and ocean engineering stands out as its first interdisciplinary school.
The university’s proximity to freshwater serves as an advantage to the program for students interested in freshwater biology alongside the university’s partnership with Cornell University indeed summer program at Appledore island’s walls Marine laboratory for a study away program and the study abroad program in New Zealand that gives a more practical experience
University of California Los Angeles
The University of California Los Angeles offers a Bachelor’s science program specializing in marine biology field truly through the ecology and evolutionary biology department.
A unique feature of the program is the extensive marine biology quarter (MBQ) Where students intensively participate in marine biology research expeditions the requirement for all marine biology students at UCLA which allows students to study marine biology and participates in research all over the world
The marine biology program courses offered at UCLA include marine organismic biology, marine laboratory, and oceanography. The MBQ program provides students interaction with experts in the field, hands-on time for experimentation, and real-world experience as marine biologists. The University is also cheaper for state students due to its public status and Is also home to some of the top research facilities.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
What better university to study Marine biology than on Hawaii island right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean which gives incredible ocean access For a proper learning experience. The University of Hawaii at Hilo provides that experience and offers both a B.A & B.S in marine sciences, which is a unique feature of the school among The list of other universities. It provides students with the opportunity to have scuba diving expeditions and vessel trips throughout their tenure for fieldwork experience.
Students are offered the opportunity to study as a major or minor in Marine science alongside other learning opportunities throughout the Marine Options program. At the University of Hawaii in Hilo some interesting courses like marine debris in the Pacific Ocean, biological oceanography, marine monitoring techniques, and marine organisms are offered alongside MOP which is a necessity for students wanting to get maximum real-life experience in diving and boating safety. The University of Hawaii at Hilo poses an ideal environment for unique research opportunities for Marine biologist study and has a 70% freshman retention rate.
University of Maine
The University of Maine located in Augusta ME has a marine science program that is effective at providing a quality education experience for students studying marine science despite its mundane name. This program offers some marine science courses like
- Marine biogeochemistry
- Invertebrate zoology
- Coral reefs
- Marine ecology
Like OSU and UCLA, UM offers a semester by the sea program Which involves conducting research in getting food experience at the darling Marine center in Walpole, which is owned by the university. This program runs for 16 weeks with each class focused on Marine organisms. In addition, the University has more than 30 professors with expertise and knowledge in marine sciences, therefore, having the largest concentration of marine experts in the state.
Conclusion
Marine biology colleges strive to provide students with the best learning experience, hands-on field experience, and also research opportunities needed to develop one’s career in the Marine biologic sector.
FAQ
- Is marine biology a promising career
Marine biology is a fascinating choice of study and has a vast range of professional opportunities.
- What skills do a marine biologist need?
One would prefer to possess a considerable interest in aquatic life and the marine environment and, excellent teamwork.
