<p>So this fall I will be entering my senior year and I still don't have a college list. I'm a bit confused though. I wanted to major in zoology and marine biology but it seems like double majoring will be a bit difficult . I was thinking of majoring in zoology and some how taking a class in some marine biology courses, is that possible? If anyone knows any good schools that offer both i would appreciate if you throw me a few.</p>
<p>Don’t limit your search to departments/majors that are labeled as “zoology”.</p>
<p>While the traditional division of biology into botany and zoology departments still exists, primarily at some public land-grant universities, it is now more common to divide biology into departments of molecular biology and departments of ecology & evolution. (There are other variations in the names of these departments, depending on the particular school, e.g., organismic & evolutionary biology.) So, much of what traditionally has been taught in zoology departments now falls under the aegis of departments of ecology & evolutionary biology. Also, some schools that have a general biological sciences dept.offer subconcentrations, which may include zoology or ecology & evolution (and, possibly, marine biology).</p>
<p>Many zoology or ecology & evolution departments offer courses in marine biology. So, you certainly can take courses in marine biology as part of a major in those departments.</p>
<p>Some schools have separate marine biology programs and courses in those programs usually will count for a major in zoology or ecology & evolution.</p>
<p>Regarding a double major in zoology + marine biology, there is probably a great deal of overlap in core biology courses across the various biology subspecialty majors. However, many schools might not permit a student to do double majors in two subspecialty areas.</p>
<p>There are many strong ecology & evolution (or zoology) departments at a wide range of schools. So,depending on your specific qualifications and preferences, some programs to consider: Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, Cornell, Duke, Washington U, Emory, Purdue, Yale, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dartmouth, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Georgia, Chicago, Indiana, Brown, Florida, Ohio State. </p>
<p>Since there are many strong ecology & evolution (or zoology) departments, you can narrow it down by focusing on those that also have marine science programs. This does not necessarily mean that a school has a separate major or department in marine biology, however. Instead, look at schools that have marine labs or field stations. Here are links to the marine labs in the US (and some elsewhere). Look at the ones that have a college or university affiliation. (The affiliation might not be readily apparent in the name, however.) You also should be aware that there are many summer programs for undergraduates at marine labs, where you can take courses even if the lab is not operated by the school you attend. There also are some exchange programs where you can spend a semester at some of these labs. Some marine labs are operated by a consortium of schools that draw students from several different schools.
[Marine</a> Laboratories](<a href=“http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/mblabs.html]Marine”>Marine Laboratories)
<a href=“http://www.amlc-carib.org/members/indiv1.html[/url]”>http://www.amlc-carib.org/members/indiv1.html</a>
[Marine</a> Biology Research Institutions - MarineBio.org](<a href=“http://marinebio.org/marinebio/careers/research-labs.asp]Marine”>http://marinebio.org/marinebio/careers/research-labs.asp)</p>
<p>Also, see this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1192708-marine-conservation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1192708-marine-conservation.html</a></p>
<p>Thank you so much! This really helped.</p>
<p>Excellent post by zapfino. I was prepared to give my usual spiel on zoology and marine biology, but he covered most of it! The important thing to take away is that you do NOT need to major in zoology or marine biology as an undergrad; a general major in biology is perfectly acceptable, provided you have at least some organismal biology coursework. What’s far more important is getting all of the general courses you need (which includes chemistry, physics, and statistics) and having access to good research opportunities. One of my many posts on the subject can be found here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13474941-post2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13474941-post2.html</a></p>
<p>To add to Zap’s suggestions, especially good marine biology programs at LACs can be found at Bowdoin, the College of the Atlantic, Eckerd, Swarthmore, Hood, Rollins, Occidental, and the 5 college consortium. Additionally, Ohio Wesleyan is decent for zoology, and many others - Middlebury, Conn College, Whitman, Davidson, etc. - are excellent picks for ecology. </p>
<p>For marine biology offerings among universities, I would add Miami (arguably the best undergraduate MB program in the US), the College of Charleston, Stanford, Northeastern, and Boston U. There are many decent to excellent programs at less selective public universities (UNCW, URI, USF, FSU, UNH, Alaska, Old Dominion, etc.), but I think they are generally not worth out of state tuition for undergraduates. For zoology/ecology, I would especially add NC State, Oklahoma, and UC Davis – although again, less selective universities like Auburn, Washington State, Oregon State, Miami U, Humboldt State, Colorado State, Texas A&M, SIUC, U Maine, Oklahoma State, Wyoming, etc. are also very good. Hawaii is quite good at both zoology and marine biology.</p>
<p>Zap already suggested Duke, which is where I did my undergraduate work. It has excellent offerings in both ecology and marine biology, though zoology is unfortunately otherwise somewhat lacking (except primatology). My summary of the marine biology program at Duke can be found here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9894419-post38.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/9894419-post38.html</a></p>
<p>I would be happy to discuss the program here at UCLA via PM, especially if you happen to be a California resident.</p>