South Carolina-based College of Charleston offers a master's degree in marine biology, preparing graduates for employment in marine science or for PhD programs. The program is housed in the college's Grice Marine Laboratory and gives students the opportunity to study various marine ecosytems. Faculty in the program conduct research in areas such as molecular biology, aquaculture, and conservation and management ecology. To earn the master's degree, students complete at least 30 credits, including required courses in cell biology and ecology of marine organisms, and oceanography. Students must also pass a comprehensive examination and present a thesis. Applicants submit undergraduate transcripts which must show completion of chemistry, calculus, physics and biology, three recommendations, a personal statement and standardized test scores. The general GRE test is required, while the GRE subject test in biology is optional.
College of Charleston
205 Fort Johnson
Charleston, SC 29412
843-953-9200
spinner.cofc.edu
The University of Hawaii offers a specialization in marine biology to students who major in areas such as zoology, oceanography, microbiology and botany. Students in the marine biology program can earn a master's or doctoral degree; research specialties at the university include marine microbiology, coral reef biology and aquaculture. Students customize their degree program based on their interests and must pass a qualifying examination and present a thesis or dissertation based on their original research. Prospective students submit application materials including undergraduate transcripts and standardized test scores for review by a marine biology admissions committee.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2540 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
808-956-6182
soest.hawaii.edu
Nova Southeastern University offers students master's and doctoral degrees in marine biology. Students in the PhD program complete 42 credits of coursework and 48 credits of research for the dissertation. PhD candidates must also pass a comprehensive examination. Applicants to the doctoral program should hold a master's degree in a natural science subject. A draft of a dissertation proposal must be submitted with PhD applications. The master's degree program is open to students with bachelor's degrees in oceanography, biology and science education. Students in the marine biology master's program may also earn a joint degree in marine environmental science or coastal zone management.
Nova Southeastern University
NSU Oceanographic Center
8000 North Ocean Drive
Dania Beach, FL 33005
954-262-3600
nova.edu
Marine biology students at the University of Maine can pursue a master's or a PhD degree, and can customize the program to their individual interests. Only two courses are required for graduate students in marine biology--a semester of graduate statistics and a one-semester seminar course. Students collaborate with faculty advisers to tailor remaining courses in their degree program from topics such as the biology of fishes, marine and freshwater algae, coral reef ecology and marine invertebrate zoology. Master's candidates must pass a comprehensive examination and submit a thesis; PhD candidates must pass a qualifying examination and defend a dissertation. Students in the program can earn a joint degree in marine policy.
University of Maine
School of Marine Sciences
5706 Aubert Hall, Room 360
Orono, ME 04469-5706
207-581-4381
umaine.edu