<p>LakeWashington- About UMass...the ranking I listed (NRC's) is for the graduate level. Also, UNC-Chapel Hill has a marine science program for undergraduates and graduates and is one I'm definitely interested in for grad school. :)</p>
<p>CUgrad-Actually, that's really not true. You need a solid science background regardless, and MIT certainly gives you that. Also, MIT has a joint program with Woods Hole (graduate level, I think), which provides awesome opportunities for marine biology. Also, many schools have options that don't really stand out at first. Duke, for example, doesn't even offer an official marine biology program. Nonetheless, undergraduates can study marine bio for a semster in Bermuda, Hawaii, Australia, and a few other places as a well as a semester/year/summer at the marine lab.</p>
<p>CUgrad, your point is well taken regarding undergraduate vs graduate, but UNCW may have the lead over Chapel Hill when it comes to government grants and projects regarding marine sciences and UNCW does offer a M.B. major (but again, I wouldn't commit myself to that specific undergraduate program over general Biology or Ecology, Botany, etc.) and thanks for the perspective on U of Miami (FL) but I can't forgive them for abandoning the Big East Conference. SMILING.</p>
<p>Warbler, good point of information regarding MIT; yes, I understand that their joint Ph.D program with WHOI is, unsurprisingly, superb.</p>
<p>Warbler makes a good point concerning marine biology as a major. I'd recommend a double major and selecting a school that has a number of quality departments besides marine biology. At some schools there is little else besides marine science and/or oceanography. You may want to change your major and find it requires a change in schools.</p>
<p>There are a lot of good marine biology schools to chose from. My D went through the application process a year ago. Ultimately, she chose Texas A&M (the campus is in Galveston) and could not be happier. She looked at Harvard (it has a cooperative program with WHOI), UNC Wilmington, Southampton College (which pretty much closed), Jacksonville, and the Coast Guard Academy. Texas A&M offers a number of in-state tuition rates to students from out-of-state...and the school has a tradition that is second to none. Only thing that bothers the D is the trees in Galveston, they don't change color with the seasons.</p>
<p>We are from Virginia. None of the Virginia schools offer an undergraduate degree in marine biology. As a consequence, Virginia pays the difference between the in-state-tuition rate and the out-of-state rate for Virginia residents who attend Coastal Carolina. William and Mary has a graduate program in marine science located at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences (VIMS) in Norfolk. VIMS is one of the largest marine research and education centers in the United States.</p>
<p>If you want scenic beauty, it's hard to beat UNC Wilmington and Eckerd</p>
<p>one thing warbler is oceanography is taking pictures of marine life where as marine biology is the study of marine life can you please get your facts strait</p>
<p>I am sorry for being harsh but there is a big difference and if all i wanted to do was take pictures i would major in photography not attempt to major in marine bio</p>
<p>My daughter is in the program at the Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Miami and it is an oustanding school!! You are REQUIRED to double major. My daughter is triple majoring in Marine Science/Biology/Chemistry. There are only about 100 students each year who are lucky enough to be in the program and their stats are the highest of any major in the University. The best thing about the program is the very small class sizes and the incredible professors who are so available and interested in the students. It is very easy to do research with a professor at the undergrad level. Just be persistent and you will be rewarded with so many opportunities, even as early as Sophomore year. For some classes, students go out on research vessels and the scuba club is the biggest club on campus. Diving is very low cost and you can progress to the level needed for courses in research diving. </p>
<p>PM me with any questions. Miami is fantastic!</p>
You needn’t apologize for being harsh; most CC posters are well accustomed to rudeness. You should, however, apologize for posting something that’s ludicrously incorrect. You should also apologize for needlessly bumping a thread for no reason except providing that incorrect information. </p>
First, note that marine science is a bit of a misnomer at Alabama. Although concentrations are available in chemical and geological oceanography, marine biology/biological oceanography is the only concentration offered in any real depth. </p>
<p>Additionally, like many other colleges, virtually all of Alabama’s marine science courses are offered during summer sessions at its marine lab. Relevant courses during the year in Tuscaloosa are therefore fairly sparse. This is very different from, say, Miami, which has its world-class labs and facilities much closer to campus. </p>
<p>I have always emphasized the primacy of basic science coursework over marine science courses, and I do not view either caveat as a huge issue. Additionally, Dauphin Island has a pretty good reputation. Not quite up there with the Florida universities or Texas A&M, but it’s certainly reputable. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I know very little about the program at Jacksonville. An average Jacksonville applicant would do well to consider Eckerd, which is only slightly more selective and pound for pound has produced an astonishing number of marine scientists.</p>
<p>William and Mary, although they focus on the Chesapeake–it’s important and delicate, but I never found it as compelling as many other areas of focus.</p>
<p>First, thank you because you have started to help me with my son. We are all conflicted. My son definetly wants to be in a broader marine science program and not marine biology for his undergrad (good decision, I would say). </p>
<p>Eckerd is really more into Marine Biology. </p>
<p>Financially speaking, we can afford UAlabama and Jacksonville University (because of scholarships). JU has a Marine Science Research Institute (St. Johns River keeper) and UAlabama has Dauphin Island summer session. JU is a Marine Science program and UAlabama is a Geology/Marine Science program. I don’t know anything more about them. If anyone can throw more light, that would be great. We are going to explore UMiami (It is expensive though and a lot depends on what we get financially), we are also going to explore BU (again, we will need financial help there). Duke is also out there but that is a long shot (if at all). I know once my son is in a decent undergrad program, he can do well enough to join a great Masters program anywhere. For whatever reason, Univ of South Carolina has not clicked (and we have no clue why. Everything matched well and it almost looks like they missed looking at his credentials) </p>
<p>I know about Univ of Washington but they are not affordable unless you are from there. So, based on the fact that my son needs a broad-based Marine Science undergrad program, any suggestions would be appreciated. He is willing to work hard. All the schools people mentioned here are candidates for the Master program.</p>
Maybe. Maybe not. I understand the appeal of jumping into relevant coursework, but I really can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting a broad grounding in all sciences and developing a firm grasp of one discipline in particular. I think marine science is perfectly legitimate as a track/concentration within a traditional science major or as a second major, but on its own, I am not convinced it is a good option. </p>
<p>
Despite Jacksonville calling its program marine science, a quick glance at its faculty list and course offerings indicates a heavy emphasis on marine biology. I find its lack of a geology department very troubling and would not seriously consider it as an option. </p>
<p>Alabama has a more balanced program and a good geology department; it has also put forth a lot of effort recruiting top students and constructing new facilities. It would definitely be my pick.</p>
What type of terminal degree he’ll need depends on his interests. You can find a job with a MEM in coastal/ocean management or a MS in marine affairs/policy, but that’s a very different type of job than many marine scientists are looking for. A PhD is necessary for most field/research positions. The good news is that the job outlook for chemical/physical/geological oceanography is a lot better than it is for biological.</p>
<p>To be honest, if finances are a concern, your in-state public flagship may well be the best option. Most are large enough to offer courses touching on marine science, and there are plenty of ways to get involved in ocean or coastal research during the summer. </p>
<p>Of the PhD students I’ve met, I’d say at least half had little/no serious coursework in marine science prior to grad school, so don’t fret that it’s necessary for grad school admission. Heck, some came from fields like engineering, math, meteorology, and (believe it or not) public health.</p>
<p>Agree with Warbler’s post. There are stronger programs that what Jacksonsville offers. In addition to the programs already mentioned, since you spoke of universities in the South, I’d include U of South Carolina-Columbia because overall the school has had a reputation for providing generous aid to non-resident undergraduate applicants. Another school slightly below the radar but has excellent science departments is UAlabama at Birmingham. Be mindful that UAB marine course work is also largely centered at summer session at Dauphin Island. UAB tuition is relatively low. Finally, Warbler’s suggestion bears repeating; a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, Marine biology etc. essentially provides no substantive advantage when apply to graduate school, and is no value at all for all but the most entry level and rudimentary jobs in the field (including research positions). Just complete a strong background in the basic undergraduate sciences (including Geology) and you’ll be well prepared for graduate study in the marine sciences.</p>
<p>Just visited Jacksonville and the school does have a good professor who is introducing several geology programs within the Marine Science Department. Their website is not reflecting that well. I am not saying that is where we will go but it definitely is a lot better than what I thought. Nice upcoming program with lot of research opportunities for undergrads. They are bringing in several geology and oceanography courses over the next couple of years. We plan to check out USC, Ualabama next.</p>
<p>And don’t confuse UAlabama at Birmingham (UAB) with the flagship UAlabama-Tuscaloosa (the football power). Separate and distinct institutions. The marine [Dauphin Island] program is at UAB.</p>
<p>Yes, we are going toUniv of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, we cannot see Dauphin island but, I hope, we get enough information from the department. Scholarships are also at play and that makes the decision that much harder. Many like to come out of Bachelors with no debt because in Marine Science, you have to do your Masters later and that is when one has to shoot BIG. This is going to be tricky for my son.</p>
<p>He wanted to go to Washington as well but Univ of Washington is rough for undergrads (unless you are independently wealthy). He will look at Washington for Masters. UMiami, Duke, USC are also in the radar for Masters. Bachelors is tricky. Get good education, research, be involved is the goal.</p>
<p>Yes, the undergraduate education at Dauphin Island is essentially a consortium, so one could enroll in the marine coursework there and have it applied to your home university. UA Tuscaloosa is known for generous scholarships for non-Alabama residents.</p>
<p>Also, as for finances for graduate work, many graduate departments provide grants for their best students. This is certainly true at the powers of marine sciences; Washington, Oregon State, UC San Diego/Scripps, Rhode Island, MIT-Woods Hole.</p>