URI for marine biology, dual major, combined BS/MA program

Looking for feedback from current or former URI students as well as anyone 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). 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. I understand URI also offers a combined 5 year BS/MA program in Marine Biology and Oceanography.

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 we would appreciate some feedback on the program:
    https://www.gso.uri.edu/blog/5th-year-master-of-oceanography-degree-program/

Bonus question …
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!