Program Overview

Overview

The Marine Science/Microbiology and Immunology degree is a Bachelor of Science degree (BSMAS) that is designed to give students a strong background in molecular and cellular aspects of microbial pathogenesis and immune defenses. The ocean, which is teeming with microbes, is explored to highlight the complex biological interactions between microbes and their hosts and the environmental factors that influence these relationships. This program is ideal for students interested in the relationship between the ocean and human health and medicine as well as those interested in pursuing a pre-medical or pre-veterinary track.

Curriculum Requirements

• Marine Science Requirements:
  • MSC 111: Introduction to Marine Science (3 credits)
  • MSC 112: Introduction to Marine Science Lab (1 credit)
  • MSC 215: Chemical Oceanography (3 credits)
  • MSC 216: Chemical Oceanography Laboratory (1 credit)
  • or MSC 302: Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab
  • MBE 230: Introduction to Marine Biology (3 credits)
  • MBE 232: Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
  • MSC 301: Introduction to Physical Oceanography 1 (3 credits)
  • MBE 465: Marine Comparative Immunology (3 credits)
  • or GSC 309: Microbes and the Environment
  • Select 9 credit hours of approved Rosenstiel School electives within ATM, GSC, MBE, MSC, OCE, or RSM courses
• Microbiology and Immunology Requirements (15 Credits):
  • MIC 301: Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (3 credits)
  • MIC 304: Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab) (3 credits)
  • MIC 321: Immunobiology (3 credits)
  • MIC 323: Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis (3 credits)
  • MIC 460: Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) (3 credits)
  • or MIC 470: Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B)
• Microbiology and Immunology Approved Electives:
  • MIC 201: Modern Plagues and Society
  • MIC 322: Medical Parasitology
  • MIC 444: Lab Techniques and Experimental Design
  • MIC 460: Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A)
  • MIC 470: Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B)
• Biology Requirements:
  • BIL 150: General Biology (4 credits)
  • BIL 151: General Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
  • or BIL 153: Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
  • BIL 160: Evolution and Biodiversity (4 credits)
  • BIL 161: Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory (1 credit)
  • or BIL 163: Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Requirement:
  • BMB 401: Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences (4 credits)
• Chemistry Requirements:
  • CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHM 113: Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • CHM 221: Introduction to Structure and Dynamics (4 credits)
  • CHM 205: Chemical Dynamics Laboratory (1 credit)
  • CHM 222: Organic Reactions and Synthesis (4 credits)
  • CHM 206: Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory (2 credits)
  • or CHM 207: Chemical Dynamics and Organic Synthesis Laboratory
• Geological Sciences Requirement:
  • Select one of the following:
    • GSC 110: The Earth System
    • GSC 111: Earth System History
    • MSC 424: Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands (Approval Required)
• Mathematics Requirements:
  • MTH 161: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • or MTH 171: Calculus I
  • MTH 162: Calculus II (4 credits)
  • or MTH 172: Calculus II
• Statistics or Computational Science Requirement:
  • Select one of the following:
    • MSC 204: Environmental Statistics
    • MSC 203: Foundations of Computational Marine Science
    • MTH 224: Introduction to Probability and Statistics
    • CSC 120: Computer Programming I
    • CSC 210: Computing for Scientists
• Physics Requirements:
  • Select one of the following options:
    • Option 1 (recommended):
      • PHY 201: University Physics I for the Sciences
      • PHY 106: Physics Laboratory 1
      • PHY 202: University Physics II for the Sciences
      • PHY 108: Physics Laboratory 2
    • Option 2:
      • PHY 221: University Physics I
      • PHY 222: University Physics II
      • PHY 223: University Physics III
      • PHY 224: University Physics II Lab
      • or PHY 225: University Physics III Lab
    • Option 3:
      • PHY 211: University Physics I for PRISM
      • PHY 106: Physics Laboratory 1
      • PHY 212: University Physics II for PRISM
      • PHY 108: Physics Laboratory 2
    • Option 4:
      • PHY 101: College Physics I
      • PHY 106: Physics Laboratory 1
      • PHY 102: College Physics II
      • PHY 108: Physics Laboratory 2
• General Education Requirements:
  • Written Communication Skills:
    • WRS 105: First-Year Writing I (3 credits)
    • WRS 107: First-Year Writing II: STEM (3 credits)
    • or WRS 106: First-Year Writing II
    • or ENG 106: Writing About Literature and Culture
  • Quantitative Skills:
    • MTH 161: Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
    • or MTH 171: Calculus I
  • Areas of Knowledge:
    • Arts and Humanities Cognate (9 credits)
    • People and Society Cognate (9 credits)
    • STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
• Total Credit Hours: 129-131

Suggested Plan of Study

The suggested plan of study for the Marine Science/Microbiology and Immunology major is as follows:

• Freshman Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSC 111: Introduction to Marine Science (3 credits)
    • MSC 112: Introduction to Marine Science Lab (1 credit)
    • BIL 150: General Biology (4 credits)
    • BIL 151: General Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
    • WRS 105: First-Year Writing I (3 credits)
    • MTH 161: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • Spring:
    • MIC 301: Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (3 credits)
    • CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry (4 credits)
    • CHM 113: Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
    • WRS 107: First-Year Writing II: STEM (3 credits)
    • MTH 162: Calculus II (4 credits)
• Sophomore Year:
  • Fall:
    • MBE 230: Introduction to Marine Biology (3 credits)
    • MBE 232: Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
    • MIC 304: Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab) (3 credits)
    • GSC 111: Earth System History (4 credits)
    • MSC 204: Environmental Statistics (3 credits)
    • A&H Cognate Course #1 (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • MIC 321: Immunobiology (3 credits)
    • MIC 323: Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis (3 credits)
    • BIL 160: Evolution and Biodiversity (4 credits)
    • BIL 161: Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory (1 credit)
    • CHM 221: Introduction to Structure and Dynamics (4 credits)
    • CHM 205: Chemical Dynamics Laboratory (1 credit)
• Junior Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSC Course (4 credits)
    • MIC Approved Elective (3 credits)
    • CHM 222: Organic Reactions and Synthesis (4 credits)
    • CHM 206: Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory (2 credits)
    • PHY 201: University Physics I for the Sciences (4 credits)
    • PHY 106: Physics Laboratory 1 (1 credit)
  • Spring:
    • MSC 215: Chemical Oceanography (3 credits)
    • MSC 301: Introduction to Physical Oceanography (3 credits)
    • MIC Approved Elective (3 credits)
    • PHY 202: University Physics II for the Sciences (4 credits)
    • PHY 108: Physics Laboratory 2 (1 credit)
    • A&H Cognate Course #2 (3 credits)
• Senior Year:
  • Fall:
    • MSC 216: Chemical Oceanography Laboratory (1 credit)
    • MBE 465: Marine Comparative Immunology (3 credits)
    • MIC 460: Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) (3 credits)
    • BMB 401: Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences (4 credits)
    • MSC Course (3 credits)
    • A&H Cognate Course #3 (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • MSC Course (3 credits)
    • MIC Approved Elective (3 credits)
    • P&S Cognate Course #1 (3 credits)
    • P&S Cognate Course #2 (3 credits)
    • P&S Cognate Course #3 (3 credits)

Mission

The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.

Goals

Students completing this double major will be able to master a broad set of fundamental scientific knowledge in Marine Science and Microbiology and Immunology, acquire valuable technical skills, and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in light of increasing stress on environment and human health. The program will provide the rigor, flexibility, depth, and integration to enable students to:

• Design and pursue their course of study that meets requirements of a double major in Marine Science and Microbiology and Immunology.
• Learn from the diverse and outstanding group of professors and researchers who are experts in their fields and have active research programs.
• Undertake active research experiences, which will allow them to gain a strong understanding of the scientific process and provide them with a set of valuable experimental and computational skills.
• Prepare themselves for graduate school and for successful careers in public and private industries.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.
• Students will develop analytical and quantitative skills to allow critical data analysis.
• Students will be able to carry out supervised research in the field of marine science.
• Students will be able to present and synthesize background information from scientific literature and report findings from their laboratory experiments or observations from their field work.