<p>Im really interested in marine animals and studying about them, but the problem is that my freshman year in high school, i received a c- for the year for biology. Everyone in that class received a c or below..he was a great guy just he doesn't know how to teach and he gets the test questions wrong. Also, i wont be taking an ap biology course my senior year in high school or anything related to marine biology..im taking psyhics and forensics next year. Right now im taking chemistry and getting a B which is slightly above average in my school..our school is one of the top schools in my state. </p>
<p>Anyways, is this major fun and worth studying because if its not marine biology, its criminal justice, because i know almost 3 languages and i would love to be a cop too.</p>
<p>Depending on what grade you’re in, you’ll have more time to figure things out (who knows what you’ll want to do in a few years). Just know that there are very few colleges that have marine biology/oceanography at the undergraduate level. Your best bet if you wanted to get into that field would be to go to a regular college, get your undergrad degree (most likely biology), then go to grad school. I can’t tell you whether marine biology is fun. For one, I have never taken any classes like that, and I may not have the same interests as you. Is biology something you can succeed in and see yourself doing for the rest of you life? Do you enjoy your science classes? If you like the idea, you can take biology classes in college and see how you like it. You can, and most people do, change interests over time. Another thing you should know is that getting a job in marine biology is pretty competetive, and a lot of the time isn’t as glamorous as what you see on TV (depending on what you do…e.g. spending days on a boat, lab work, paperwork, grant applications, etc.). The competition also seems to keep salaries quite modest for many positions, so don’t do it for the money…do it because you love it.</p>
<p>If your grades are good compared to others, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about because colleges in your area will most likely know what to expect from kids graduating from your school (and grades aren’t the only consideration, either).</p>
<p>Sorry if any of this is deterring you from going into this type of work, that isn’t my intent. I just wanted you to know a little more about what it’s really like.</p>
<p>One consideration is to check out summer programs in your fields of interest. For instance Cornell University has the Shoals Marine Lab and offers programs for high school students. You can google summer programs for marine biology and there are several options, however cost could be an issue. My S went to the Bahamas for a marine bio summer program offered throught his school and loved it. </p>
<p>While he decided on an undergrad program with marine biology he will basically be taking several bio/chem and other required courses in the first few semesters before he gets into the major. If he changes his mind it would not be difficult for him to switch to another area of biology. He is planning on grad school because as the previous poster explained jobs will be competitive. S will be double majoring in another area of interest which is something you could consider to keep your options open.</p>
<p>Perhaps you can consider self-study for the AP Biology or take some summer college courses to see if you would still have the interest. Don’t know much about the field of criminal justice but the same path would apply as far as sampling courses and finding summer programs to give you an idea where your interests will take you.</p>