Marine Biology
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Marine Biology (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$67k
Wildlife Biologist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists is $67,430.
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$69k
Conservation Scientist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a conservation scientist is $69,810.
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$69k
Animal Scientist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an animal scientist is $69,390.
The marine biology curriculum includes coursework to prepare you for career paths in research, education, and public policy. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
- BI163 Evolution & Ecology (4)
- BI173 Cell & Organismal Biology (4)
- BI283 Genetics (4)
- BI389 Career Development in Biology (2)
- CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
- CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
- MI101 Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (3)
Choose one math course:
- MA116 Precalculus A (3)
- MA137 Precalculus (5)
- MA139 Applied Calculus (3)
- MA140 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I (5)
Experiential Learning Requirement: 2 hours
- BI551-553 Biology Field Studies (2)
- BI563-565 Experience in Museum Curation (1-3)
- BI570 Development of Instructional Materials (1)
- BI582 Internship in Biology (1-3)
- BI589-591 Biological Research (1-3)
Marine Biology Option Required Courses:
- BI332 General Ecology (3)
- BI348 Marine Biology (3)
- BI434 Marine Ecology & Conservation (3)
- ZO310 Zoology (4)
- ZO430 Invertebrate Zoology (4)
Biology Electives*: 5 hours
- BI/BO/BT/ZOxxx 300 level or above (5)
*A minimum of 3 hours must be taken from the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory or comparable institution or the equivalents listed below:
Non-Biology Requirements:
- CH186 General Chemistry II (3)
- CH187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
- CH341 Foundations of Organic Chemistry (4)
- CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
- GO320 Oceanography (3)
- MA223 Probability and Statistics (3)
- PH106 Physical Concepts (3)
- PH107 Physical Concepts Lab (1)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
First Year
Fall Semester (15-17 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- BI163 (4)
- CH184/185 (4)
- MA116/137/139/140 (3-5)
- MI101 (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- BI173 (4)
- CH186 (3)
- CH187 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- MA223 (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Second Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- BI283 (4)
- BI389 (2)
- CH341 (4)
- CH342 (1)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- BI332 (3)
- BI348 (3)
- PH106/107 (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Third Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- BI434 (3)
- ZO310 (4)
- Experiential Learning Course (2)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- ZO430 (4)
- Upper Level Elective (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
Summer Term (3 Hours)
- Biology Elective from marine station (3)
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- GO320 (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- Upper Level Elective (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: achieve a target cumulative GPA of 3.0
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
What will it cost?
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Hands-on Learning
You’ll gain hands-on real-world experience through required 80 hours outside the classroom field experiences and internships.
Alumnus
"The most important thing I gained from this internship is confidence. I did so many things all on my own, and getting to work and live in South Africa alongside beautiful animals and brilliant people was a dream come true. Working with sharks has always been a dream of mine, so I cried when I found out I had been accepted."
Noah Carter
Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Happening in Biology
The Will to Do
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701