Marine biology master's degree programs often require a prior education in biology in addition to a bachelor's degree and a minimum 3.0 grade point average. In some cases, a student is required to pass a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test, which evaluates a person's preparedness for graduate school studies. Study areas in this type of degree program may include marine toxicology and pharmacology, molecular biology, environmental ethics, oceanography, management of ecosystems and marine chemistry. A marine biology master's degree curriculum may include writing a formal dissertation prior to graduation that summarizes a student's advanced learning.
Because a student's hands-on training is an important part of a marine biology master's degree program, attending a school located near a marine environment can enhance the student's academic studies. Institutions offering marine biology programs often maintain a fleet of vessels for exploration as part of their curricula. Additionally, some schools provide aquariums for advanced studies and offer diving programs so students can observe marine life.
Students earning a master's degree in marine biology often find interest in related fields, such as oceanography, mammal research and aquaculture. Also known as marine science, oceanography contains an array of specialized areas like biological oceanography, which studies ecological interactions. The study of the effects of pollution on the ocean and seawater interaction with the atmosphere is known as chemical oceanography. Other areas related to marine biology include geological and physical oceanography and ocean engineering. Marine mammal research focuses on marine animals and their social and ecological systems, while aquaculture involves the farming of aquatic organisms such as shrimp, shellfish and algae.
Marine biologists performing research often work in labs, while others work in fisheries, or may perform their work on ships. Marine biologists commonly work in both private sector jobs and for government agencies. Common types of employers include universities, environmental companies, hospitals, medical and other research institutions, food and beverage companies and the military.