<p>I want/need to double major in marine biology and zoology for my career goals, which is said to be VERY difficult. So I wanted to hear from people who actually have experience with double majors, to know what I'm getting myself into. Just how hard is it exactly? Because my two majors are similar, wouldn't it be easier than a double major in say French and Mathematics? I know the classes that overlap between the subjects would go towards each major, so wouldn't it be better time/money wise to get a double major instead of going back to school? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>What you really need is a very strong biology major with marine biology and zoology as minors. I assume you intend on going to grad school in marine biology, which is why you’re thinking of those two majors.
Double majoring is more or less doable - you have to look at mandatory “gen ed” classes, which vary at each school, and how they overlap with prerequisites for your major. For grad schools, being in the honors program and doing research would be key. So, with all of this together, it’d require you to be super disciplined, to take a full load (5X3 credits or 4X4 credits) per semester without every dropping a class. Typically you can fit your second major into your electives’ slots if you have several AP classes (check ahead of time how many and which transfer at the Universities you’re considering) since in most cases, you’ll have 1/3 gen eds, 1/3 major, and 1/3 entirely up to you - it’s that last third that would be taken up by your second major.
Note that you don’t need to be in a major to take classes in a subject - you can take the pre-requisites, then whatever classes you like.
Compare schools such as Eckerd and UNC-Wilmington to see how feasible it’d be at both (as well as at other schools you’re looking into - I’m naming these schools because they have excellent marine biology programs. UNC-W pretty much is a reference).</p>