Marine Biology at Northeastern vs. URI, 5 year combined masters, etc.

College Search & Selection
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Looking for feedback from those knowledgeable about marine biology and kind enough to respond, in particular @warblersrule …

DD will likely attend URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) where they offer a wide variety of environmental science programs including marine biology, marine affairs, oceanography etc. She is leaning towards a dual major, one of which would be marine bio with a more general environmental science major or perhaps wild life conservation and biology. URI also offers a combined 5 year BS/MA program in Marine Biology and Oceanography. I understand from the forum that generally one needs a graduate degree in order to become a Marine biologist.

Here are my questions …

  1. as an undergraduate in marine biology, which second major would you recommend in order to round out DD’s undergraduate education? Something within CELS or in a completely different area of study in another school at URI?
  2. what are your thoughts about URI’s combined 5 year BS/MA program? It’s an intriguing option from our perspective but would appreciate some feedback:
    https://www.gso.uri.edu/blog/5th-year-master-of-oceanography-degree-program/
  3. DD has a guaranteed transfer offer from Northeastern for sophomore year. How do NU’s marine biology and environmental science programs stack up against URI and would it be worth it for her to consider transferring sophomore year? Though money is not the most important factor, I should point out DD has a generous merit scholarship at URI but would be unlikely to receive merit money at Northeastern and we do not qualify for financial aid.

Thank you!

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I am not a marine scientist. Others who know more will jump in.

From what I’ve seen statistics is never a bad choice. Also look into the various programs used for data collection. Her advisors and profs will have recommendations.

Solid GIS is good too. Take more than the minimum for genetics.

My daughter majored in bio with a conservation track. A solid biology background is a necessity.

I started this thread a couple of months ago. There are many ocean based internships mixed in.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/internships-careers-employment/1957208-natural-resources-environmental-science-internships-p1.html

Another thread that touched on this is http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/science-majors/1941235-how-to-study-marine-biology-at-a-school-that-doesnt-offer-it.html#latest

Is your daughter thinking of a hands on type of career or wants to be in an office or lab?

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This is a great list of summer research positions. Whoever updates it is a hero.
https://people.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/ecology.htm

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@Snowball City, thank you for your helpful replies and links. DD is not exactly sure of her career path just yet and I would like her to choose a path that will keep her options open until she narrows in on what she wants to do with her degree.

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There are so many and very specific masters programs in marine bio and oceanography is very different. Depending upon what your goal is, you must weigh an MS with an MA program. Which school allows the most research opportunities for undergrad students, do the marine science courses begin in freshman year, how much time is research conducted out in the field, is there an honors program, what is their rate of students who apply/graduate with the marine science degree and get accepted into nationally recognized programs? Is there a mentor/professor relationship? Are there opportunities to conduct research with the professor, design your own research, present papers at conferences and publish? These are very important for acceptance into a grad program. The more varied the undergrad experience, the more your daughter will be able to chose a grad degree path.