Public Universities Offering Marine Biology Programs
Public institutions typically offer undergraduate and graduate marine biology degrees at a much lower cost for state residents. Some universities partner with local community colleges for the easier transition for associate's degree holders who want to pursue a baccalaureate program. Because of the hands-on nature of the field, almost all programs are on-campus; online marine biology programs don't really exist.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University's Galveston campus offers a 120-credit undergraduate program in marine biology; the curriculum includes courses in marine botany and ecology, cetacean behavior, bioinformatics, fisheries techniques, and marine conservation. The master's program entails 32-36 credits while the Ph.D. program requires 96 credits for students without a master of science degree and 64 credits for M.S. degree holders.
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
The marine biology programs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington include a 75-credit baccalaureate degree, a 30-credit master's degree, and a Ph.D. program that requires 48 post-M.S. credits or 78 post-baccalaureate credits. The bachelor's program offers an optional specialization in marine conservation; the graduate coursework includes core courses in cellular and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, physiology, and ecology.
University of California, San Diego
The University of California San Diego offers a baccalaureate program in marine biology with coursework that includes marine biochemistry, genetics, biological oceanography, parasitology, and paleobiology. Options for graduate studies include an interdisciplinary master's program in marine biodiversity and conservation, and a doctoral program in ocean biosciences with a concentration in marine biology.
| School Name | Location | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University | Galveston, TX | Bachelor's Master's Ph.D. | $11,870 in-state, $37,495 out-of-state |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | Bachelor's Master's Ph.D. | $7,091 in-state, $21,156 out-of-state |
| University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Bachelor's Master's Ph.D. | $14,167 in-state, $43,159 out-of-state |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Private Universities Offering Marine Biology Degrees
Private marine biology schools provide opportunities for hands-on experience through their own research facilities that students can use. Some schools partner with local organizations and laboratories for marine research and conservation projects.
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven's undergraduate program in marine biology includes coursework on marine ecology, conservation and restoration, and aquaculture. Students will be able to work with local aquariums and research laboratories, and avail of study abroad opportunities.
Hawaii Pacific University
Hawaii Pacific University offers a baccalaureate program in marine biology and a master's program in marine science. The undergraduate coursework focuses on oceanography, biometry, environmental microbiology, and animal physiology while the graduate curriculum includes courses in coral reef ecology, climate change, marine toxicology, and fisheries and management. The university operates its own research vessel that students can use for fieldwork.
University of Miami
Marine biology offerings at the University of Miami include an undergraduate program in marine biology and ecology, a Master of Science degree, a Master of Professional Science degree with specializations in mammal science and ecosystem management, and a Ph.D. program. The university hosts a number of research facilities including an experimental fish hatchery, a coral reef research center, and the National Resource for Aplysia.
| School Name | Location | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | Bachelor's | $39,270 |
| Hawaii Pacific University | Honolulu, HI | Bachelor's Master's | $25,980 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | Bachelor's Master's Ph.D. | $50,226 |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Marine Biology Schools Offering Associate's Degrees
An associate program in marine biology provides general education courses and introductory courses in natural sciences that prepare students for the baccalaureate curriculum. Marine biology colleges that offer associate's degrees usually have transfer agreements with local universities for easier transfer of credits.
Daytona State College
The associate program in marine biology at Daytona State College requires 62 credits and includes preparatory courses in biology, math, chemistry, and social science. Students who have completed their associate's degree can continue their studies as juniors in public universities in Florida.
Southern Maine Community College
Southern Maine Community College offers a 69-credit associate's degree in marine science with a curriculum that tackles marine botany, fishery science, oceanography, invertebrate zoology, and ecology. The school has transfer agreements with the University of Southern Maine and the University of New England, but students may also transfer their associate credits to other institutions.
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Southwestern Oregon Community College's associate program in marine biology requires 91 credit hours and features courses in biology, marine habitats, and oceanography. After completing the program, students can continue their studies and earn a bachelor's degree at Oregon Institute of Marine Biology or pursue further studies in other disciplines such as dentistry or veterinary medicine.
| School Name | Location | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytona State College | Daytona, FL | Associate's | $3,104 in-state, $11,993 out-of-state |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME | Associate's | $3,770 in-state, $6,590 out-of-state |
| Southwestern Oregon Community College | Coos Bay, OR | Associate's | $6,077 |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
