Program Overview
University of Florida Marine Sciences Program
The University of Florida offers a comprehensive Marine Sciences program, administered jointly by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This program provides students with an integrative understanding of the basic concepts, theories, and observational findings related to marine materials and processes, geologic time, the diversity of marine life, the structure and function of marine organisms, and ecosystems and marine resource management.
Program Description
The Marine Sciences major is designed to prepare students for a variety of rewarding academic and professional careers. The curriculum provides students with the core scientific and quantitative skills necessary for success, including lower-division courses that build a strong foundation in basic sciences and math, and upper-division courses that provide opportunities for specialization. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to create an individualized curriculum plan, which can include courses on resource management, human dimensions, conservation, quantitative population assessment, and others.
Program Requirements
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements. The major requires 120 credits, with at least 30 credits of upper-division coursework in the major completed at UF. Students must also complete a minimum of 18 approved elective credits and 15-16 planned credits, which can include courses on ecology, organismal biology, economics, human dimensions, and quantitative or professional skills.
Coursework for the Major
The required coursework for the major includes:
- BSC 2010 and 2010L: Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Laboratory
- BSC 2011 and 2011L: Integrated Principles of Biology 2 and Laboratory
- CHM 2045 and 2045L: General Chemistry 1 and Laboratory
- CHM 2046 and 2046L: General Chemistry 2 and Laboratory
- FAS 4202C: Biology of Fishes
- OCE 1001: Introduction to Oceanography
- STA 2023: Introduction to Statistics 1
- Select one: FAS 4270, ZOO 4926, or FAS 4932
- Select one: FNR 3410C, STA 3024, STA 4210, or STA 4222
- FNR 4660: Natural Resource Policy and Economics
- GLY 3083C: Fundamentals of Marine Sciences
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- PHY 2004 and 2004L: Applied Physics 1 and Laboratory
- ZOO 4205C: Invertebrate Biodiversity
- Approved marine sciences electives: 18 credits minimum
- Planned electives: 15-16 credits
Critical Tracking
Critical tracking records each student's progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. The critical-tracking requirements for the Marine Sciences major are as follows:
- Semester 1: Complete OCE 1001 and one of the following, excluding labs: BSC 2010/BSC 2010L, BSC 2011/BSC 2011L, CHM 2045/CHM 2045L, CHM 2046/CHM 2046L, MAC 2311, or PHY 2004/PHY 2004L
- Semester 2: Complete two additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
- Semester 3: Complete one additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
- Semester 4: Complete two additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
- Semester 5: Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs
- Semester 6: Complete one of the remaining required major courses from STA 2023, FAS 4202C, FAS 4270, or PCB 4460, FNR 3410C, or STA 3024, or STA 4210, or STA 4222, FAS 4932, GLY 3083C, FNR 4660, ZOO 4205C
- Semester 7: Complete three additional remaining required major courses
- Semester 8: Complete all remaining required major courses
Approved Electives
Students can choose from a variety of approved electives, including courses in ecology and organismal biology, economics and human dimensions, physical/chemical oceanography, professional skills, and quantitative ecological skills. These electives can be used to focus on a specific area or minor.
Student Learning Outcomes
The Marine Sciences program is designed to help students achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate competence in the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories used within the marine sciences.
- Analyze information in the marine sciences and develop reasoned solutions to problems using the processes and applications of scientific inquiry.
- Discriminate ethical behavior from unethical behavior in scientific research.
- Communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly, effectively, and objectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the marine sciences.
Assessment Types
The program uses a variety of assessment types, including marine sciences subject and analytical skills tests, bioethics quizzes, and scientific papers.
Curriculum Map
The curriculum map for the Marine Sciences program is as follows:
| Academic Learning Compact 4 Courses | SLO 1 | SLO 2 | SLO 3 | SLO 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAS 4202C | R | R | R | R |
| FAS 4932 (Biology and Ecology of Algae) | R | R | R | R |
| GLY 3083C | I | I | I | I |
| OCE 1001 | I | I | I | |
| ZOO 4205C | R | R | R | R |
| ZOO 4926 (Marine Ecology) or FAS 4932 (Marine Ecological Processes) | A | A | A | A |
The Marine Sciences program at the University of Florida provides students with a comprehensive education in the marine sciences, preparing them for a variety of rewarding academic and professional careers. With a strong focus on critical thinking, communication, and scientific inquiry, this program is ideal for students who are passionate about the marine sciences and want to make a positive impact in the world.