Program Overview

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Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology, B.S.

The Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology major at the University of New Hampshire offers immersive training to prepare students for work in diverse aquatic ecosystems. Students will study environments ranging from oceans to rivers while learning advanced research techniques and conservation strategies.

Program Overview

• The program builds on a core curriculum in math, chemistry, physics, and biology, and branches out into the aquatic sciences.
• Students specialize in their own areas of interest, preparing for exciting careers in fields including research, teaching, conservation, restoration, fisheries, and aquaculture.
• The University of New Hampshire is uniquely located for the study of aquatic organisms and their habitats, with easy access to diverse marine environments as well as the freshwater habitats of New Hampshire's Lakes Region and the White Mountain National Forest.

Why Study Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology at UNH?

• State-of-the-art facilities, hands-on learning with an emphasis on undergraduate student research, and an incredible location make UNH the perfect place to study marine, estuarine and freshwater biology.
• The university boasts three Marine Laboratories that provide exceptional opportunities for students' research and educational needs, including Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, the Coastal Marine Laboratory, and the Shoals Marine Laboratory.

Potential Careers

• Aquariums and ecotourism
• Biotechnology
• Conservation/environmental protection
• Education
• Environmental consulting
• Fisheries/aquaculture/ecological restoration
• Fisheries management
• Research

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The Major in Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology is intended to give students interested in the fields of marine and freshwater biology the background and direct hands-on experience needed to pursue productive careers, including potential advanced study.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
• Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
• Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral
• Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
• Foreign Language Requirement: No

Major Requirements

• A minimum grade of C- is required in all biological science courses that are counted toward the requirements for a degree in MEFB.
• Students who expect to compete successfully for post-baccalaureate programs should attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the end of the sophomore year and maintain it at that level.

Course List

• MEFB Core:
  • BIOL 412: Introductory Biology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Ecology
  • BIOL 411: Introductory Biology: Molecular and Cellular
  • MEFB 401: Marine Estuarine and Freshwater Biology: Freshmen Seminar
  • MEFB 503: Introduction to Marine Biology
  • MEFB 725: Marine Ecology
  • ZOOL 690: Evolution
  • GEN 604: Principles of Genetics
  • CHEM 403: General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 404: General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 545 & CHEM 546: Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  • BMCB 658A: General Biochemistry
  • MATH 424B: Calculus for Life Sciences
  • BIOL 528: Applied Biostatistics I
  • PHYS 401: Introduction to Physics I
  • PHYS 402: Introduction to Physics II

Electives

• Select three courses from the following:
  • ANSC 701: Physiology of Reproduction
  • BIOL 566: Systematic Botany
  • BIOL 706: Data Science with R for the Life Sciences
  • BIOL 720: Plant-Animal Interactions
  • BMCB 605: Principles of Cell Biology
  • BMS 503 & BMS 504: General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory
  • ESCI 501: Introduction to Oceanography
  • GEN 713: Microbial Ecology and Evolution
  • MARI 705: Introduction to Marine Policy: Understanding US Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Policy
  • MEFB 505: Introduction to Applied Science Communication (SML)
  • MEFB 506: Marine Parasitology and Disease (SML)
  • MEFB 508: Marine Ecosystem Research and Management (SML)
  • MEFB 510: Field Ornithology (SML)
  • MEFB 530: Evolution and Marine Diversity (SML)
  • MEFB 535: Marine Mammal Biology (SML)
  • MEFB 590: Coastlines in Crisis
  • MEFB 625: Introduction to Marine Botany
  • MEFB 628: Marine Invertebrate Evolution and Ecology
  • MEFB 674: Ecology and Marine Environment (SML)
  • MEFB 675: Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation
  • MEFB 702: Sustainable Marine Fisheries (SML)
  • MEFB 714: Field Animal Behavior (SML)
  • MEFB 717: Lake Ecology
  • MEFB 741: Sharks: Biology and Conservation (SML)
  • MEFB 747: Aquatic Plants in Restoration/Management (C)
  • MEFB 751: Research in Biology at the Shoals Marine Lab (SML)
  • MEFB 754: Anatomy and Function of Marine Vertebrates (SML)
  • MEFB 755: Biological Oceanography (C)
  • MEFB 772: Fisheries Biology: Conservation and Management
  • MEFB 773: Physiology of Fishes
  • NR 504: Freshwater Resources
  • NR 703: Watershed Water Quality Management
  • NR 712: Mammalogy
  • NR 744: Biogeochemistry
  • ZOOL 518: Comparative Morphology and Biology of Vertebrates
  • ZOOL 542: Ornithology
  • ZOOL 610: Principles of Aquaculture
  • ZOOL 625 & ZOOL 626W: Principles of Animal Physiology and Animal Physiology Laboratory
  • ZOOL 690: Evolution
  • ZOOL 710: Sharks and Bony Fishes
  • ZOOL 708: Stream Ecology (C)
  • ZOOL 733W: Behavioral Ecology (C)
  • ZOOL 736: Genes and Behavior (C)
  • ZOOL 740: Acoustic Ecology (C)
  • ZOOL 777W: Neuroethology (C)

Capstone Experience

• The Capstone Experience is required during the senior year (or the summer prior).
• The Capstone explores areas of interest-based on the integration of prior learning with focused skill-building experiences.
• Capstones may be satisfied through created work or products, various forms of experiential learning (e.g., Honors thesis, mentored research project, internships, study abroad, or other special student activity agreed upon by undergraduate advisor).

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to show the ability to synthesize diverse sources of information and communicate it effectively.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the unique characteristics, as well as the similarities, governing freshwater, estuarine and marine systems.
• Have a broad understanding of biology from the molecular to the ecosystem with a particular appreciation for the abiotic and biotic factors relating to diverse aquatic ecosystems.
• Demonstrate the ability to describe basic principles of scientific inquiry and the importance of scientific study for understanding the natural world.
• Demonstrate the ability to design and experiment, collect data, analyze and graph it appropriately, and summarize the significant findings.
• Demonstrate an ability to critically and objectively evaluate data, develop hypotheses, plus interpret biological experiments and studies.
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly and explicitly, both orally and in writing, following conventional scientific formats.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of major groups of prokaryotic and eukaryotic aquatic life.

FAQ

• Why major in MEFB over other biology-based majors at UNH in DBS or otherwise?
  • The MEFB major is designed to be rigorous, diverse, and marketable, taking advantage of UNH's uniquely direct access to marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitats and the organisms that depend upon them.
• Can I minor in another area of interest? Does it have to be in Biology?
  • Minoring is encouraged in MEFB, and minors do not need to be situated in the Biology Department.
• How large are the classes? Do I get one-on-one time with faculty or TA's?
  • Class size varies, but students tend to get one-on-one time with faculty and TAs, especially in smaller classes and research settings.
• Are the classes hands-on or field-based? Or are we always in the classroom?
  • The program prides itself on interactive, experiential, hands-on learning, with many opportunities for field-based research and training.
• How many students are in MEFB? Is that number growing?
  • MEFB continues to be a growing major, with roughly 110 students declared in MEFB presently at UNH.
• I'm not good at (insert subject or topic). Is MEFB right for me?
  • Passion for the subject matter will drive students to success, but aptitude is critical in that process, particularly considering the rigor of the MEFB major.
• How many semesters of (insert subject or topic) do I need to graduate?
  • The degree requirements are straightforward, with several requirements and a series of electives to choose from throughout the program.
• Are the course sequences pre-determined or do I have room to explore many topics?
  • Following a sequential pathway for courses that have pre-requisites is naturally required, but there are many pathways to success, and students are encouraged to explore different topics and interests.
• Are there any courses JUST for MEFB students, or some that are considered 'essential'?
  • All MEFB-declared Freshman take a MEFB-specific seminar limited to their incoming MEFB cohort, which serves as a springboard to get to know faculty and learn about their projects and research interests.
• Is there ever a problem getting into classes? Do they fill up fast?
  • Typically, students tend to get into the classes they want and need, but establishing a graduation plan with their advisor is an important step in this process.
• Do I pick my major advisor or is that person assigned to me?
  • The major advisor is assigned to the student by the Department, but there is some flexibility in re-assigning major advisors if desired.
• What is a Capstone Experience? Can you provide a few examples of recent MEFB grads?
  • The Capstone Experience is a required component of the program, which explores areas of interest-based on the integration of prior learning with focused skill-building experiences.
• I'm a transfer student. Will my credits transfer over or will I be behind?
  • Transfer of credits is completed on a case-by-case basis, and every effort is made to account for the valuable work completed before transferring to UNH.
• Are there scholarships for MEFB majors once they have matriculated?
  • Absolutely, there are a number of competitive departmental and university-wide scholarships available for MEFB majors to consider.
• Can I study abroad and still finish the MEFB major on schedule?
  • Absolutely, if you plan to study abroad, you should consult with your major advisor to help plan the most efficient path forward sooner than later.
• What are some study abroad opportunities well-suited to the MEFB major?
  • In addition to programming through UNH Global, there are a number of Study Abroad programs that are well-suited to MEFB students, including Ecoquest and UNH's Shoals Marine Laboratory.
• How would UNH-MEFB courses run should we need to continue with, or return to, distance learning?
  • Students in the MEFB program have continued to take courses, including laboratory courses, during the Spring 2020 semester, and faculty and Teaching Assistants have been working overtime to continue to offer as high-quality experience as a student would receive in person.

MEFB Resources

• How many faculty are there in the major? Are they all in DBS?
  • There are roughly 20 faculty that formally affiliate with MEFB, spanning a number of departments and disciplines.
• What opportunities do MEFB students have to work in lab or field positions?
  • The opportunities are many, and UNH faculty stand out as priding themselves on creating meaningful experiences for students in their research (lab, field or otherwise).
• What are UNH's marine facility resources (i.e., marine labs, vessels, etc.)?
  • UNH boasts three Marine Laboratories that provide exceptional opportunities for students' research and educational needs, including Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, the Coastal Marine Laboratory, and the Shoals Marine Laboratory.

MEFB Culture

• Are there existing networks of MEFB students? Or MEFB-related clubs on campus?
  • Your first MEFB student network is inherently linked to the Freshman Seminar, and other networks form from taking other courses together, especially courses with lots of field and research training.
• How can I get more information re: the experience/opinions of current MEFB students?
  • One great way to get to know current MEFB students is to attend upcoming events or reach out to the department directly.

My Future

• What do the graduates of MEFB go on to do? Are they finding jobs in their field?
  • The timing is great for MEFB grads to join the workforce or continue on to graduate studies or paid internships, with many working in fields such as local state and federal agencies, NGO's, aquaria, research think-tanks, environmental consulting, and graduate schools.