I’m a Florida community college student who is looking into major universities to complete his education. What college is best suited to a combined marine science/computer science ? UF, FSU, or UCF?
All three have strong CS programs, and I know FSU and UF are strong in Biology. I’m not sure about UCF (just don’t know).
At UF, look into doing a dual/double major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). UF has two CS programs, on in the College of Engineering, the other in CLAS. It may be easier to dual/double major with the CLAS version of CS.
https://www.advising.ufl.edu/academicinfo/duals-and-doubles/
UF also has two types of Marine Sciences Majors, on in CLAS, the other in CALS (College of Animal and Life Sciences).
http://marinesciences.program.ufl.edu/
The CLAS program may also be the better fit.
Good Luck!
As an LAC fanboy, I usually keep my biases in check and do not recommend small private colleges when a poster is clearly aiming for large flagships (UF, UCF, FSU), but I’ll throw out a name anyway: Eckerd College in St. Pete. Cute college, literally right on the gulf with its own beach, and marine biology is a serious strength. Perhaps the OP could give it a look-see, even if it’s only the school’s website. Students who thrive in smaller classes with close relationships with profs (in an undergrad-only environment–read: no grad students to compete with for opportunities or professors’ attention) have pretty stunning access as marine biology majors at Eckerd. As for computer science, I do not know.
If you want to look at an LAC, I second Eckerd College. It has the largest number of NOAA Hollings Scholars in the US. You will do research with your mentor/professor and have the opportunity to present at conferences around the world and the ability to co-author papers. They have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter as well as Sigma Xi. They follow the 4-1-4 calendar schedule and you can study abroad with your professor and classmates during Winter term. They have a relationship with the University of Havana and offer study in marine science.
New College of Florida has a very strong CS department AND a good Marine Science program. They’re on the bay and provide a lot of hands-on research opportunities too. I strongly recommend them.
FGCU has a really great Marine Science program! We are super close to the beach and have a lot of awesome research opportunities.
I majored in Biology and Marine Science at UM (in case you can’t tell by my picture, lol). The majority of my classmates were pre-med and the grade competition was fierce, which was a downside. That said, the partnership that the undergraduate program had with RSMAS when I was there led to all kinds of research opportunities for us undergrads, which almost all of us took advantage of. Most of my classmates went on to Masters or PhD programs in our field. Things may have changed in the ensuing decades, but I am very proud to have a marine science/biology double major from the U!