Program Overview

Marine Biology B.S. Program

The University of West Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, one of only a few institutions in the U.S. to provide this degree. The program prepares students for a career in environmental regulation, conservation, fisheries, aquaculture, and more.

Why Study Marine Biology at UWF?

The Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology is one of only three marine biology programs in the state of Florida. The university's location, with 300 acres of marshes and wetlands and 150 acres on the Gulf of Mexico, provides living specimens for study. The Gulf Islands Research and Education Center (GIREC) in Santa Rosa campus and the Gulf of Mexico offer additional opportunities for research and study.

What You Will Learn

The curriculum includes a series of seven core courses fundamental to all areas of biology. Elective courses emphasize theoretical and practical aspects of aquatic/marine biology. Students will gain hands-on experience and insight into the life of a marine biologist through classwork and special research projects with faculty members.

• Core courses:
  • Fundamental to all areas of biology
• Elective courses:
  • Theoretical and practical aspects of aquatic/marine biology

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

The university offers an accelerated bachelor's to master's program, allowing prospective students who meet the requirements to complete up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework as an undergraduate student. For admission to the Accelerated Marine Biology B.S. to Biology M.S. program, students must schedule a meeting with their undergraduate faculty advisor and graduate advisor to discuss and develop a degree plan.

Courses

The program includes a variety of courses, such as:

• OCE 3007: Concepts of Oceanography and Marine Biology
• MCB 4631: Molecular Aquatic Microbial Ecology
• OCB 4201: Biology of Coral Reefs
• ZOO 4304C: Marine Vertebrate Zoology

Careers & Outcomes

On graduation, students will be ready to begin a career in a variety of fields, including:

• Environmental regulation
• Conservation
• Fisheries
• Aquaculture
• Marine technology
• Students who wish to continue their studies at the graduate level will find themselves highly qualified

Job Titles

Possible job titles for graduates include:

• Aquatic Scientist
• Research Biologist
• Fishery Biologist
• Oceanographer
• Ecologist
• Biologist
• Researcher
• Microbiologist
• Environmental Consultant

Employers

Graduates may find employment with organizations such as:

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• National Park Service
• National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

Field Classes

Students may participate in oceanographic cruises in the Gulf of Mexico, study reefs in the Florida Keys, and perform fieldwork in a variety of marine environments. Several labs have extensive field trips where students become immersed in the environment they are studying. Recent trips have included:

• Indonesia
• Costa Rica
• The Florida Keys
• Honduras

Related Programs

Related programs offered by the university include:

• Biology, B.S.
• Biology Teaching B.A.
• Interdisciplinary Sciences, B.S.
• Biomedical Sciences, B.S.