Print this page."Marine Science 101 with Dr. Nelson at Folley Beach was awesome. We spent days at the beach conducting field research."
- Amy Anderson, '09
About the Program
The Marine Science Program is an interdisciplinary educational program that offers a Bachelor of Science degree. It is one of the premier marine science programs in the nation, with prominent research affiliations, competitively awarded research grants, and an interdisciplinary academic curriculum. Marine science includes many areas of study, all concerned with increasing our knowledge of the oceans and coastal regions. As a marine science student, you may choose to specialize in biological, chemical, geological, or physical oceanography or coastal resource management/marine affairs.
Career Opportunities
Today, marine scientists are working on current problems and future needs in the preservation, use, and development of the marine environment. Many positions require some graduate study. Here are just a few of the possibilities to explore:
• government agencies at all levels
• private industries such as environmental consulting firms
• construction of building and transportation systems in marine or coastal areas
• research for organizations such as the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
• teaching and research positions in colleges and universities
The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and in increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the College of Arts and Sciences, you must meet all University admission requirements. For freshmen this includes a completed application, nonrefundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. To major in marine science, a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and a minimum grade of “C” in the marine science core courses is needed. You will be expected to maintain a semester, yearly, and cumulative grade point average of 2.00. Your academic record will be reviewed at the end of each spring semester. Marine science majors spend the bulk of their first two years completing the College of Arts and Sciences core curriculum. You must also complete four marine science core
courses with a grade of “C” or better before enrolling in any major level course. You can choose an area of specialization at the end of your sophomore year with the help of a faculty advisor.
Program of Study (128 hours)
Your studies will be structured around 43–54 credit hours in courses that fulfill the general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, 36 credit hours that fulfill your major area, and cognate and elective requirements that complete your 128-hour minimum. General education requirements include courses in areas such as English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, foreign languages, and the social sciences. Some of the courses that count toward your major area include Biology of Marine Organisms, Science and Environmental Policy, and Marine Hydrodynamics. Your cognate area and electives consist of a variable amount of hours and will include marine science courses and other related courses as approved by your advisor.
Of Special Interest
Campus facilities include laboratories, seawater aquarium systems, seismographs, environmental control chambers, holding tanks for maintenance and culture of marine species, and equipment for physiological and ecological research. The Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences provides the research focus for marine science at the University. The institute affords the flexibility to enter into cooperative degree and research programs with other departments and colleges of USC. Field study projects are regularly conducted at the Baruch Institute, which is on Hobcaw Barony, north of Georgetown, S.C. The site includes 7,500 acres of pristine saltwater marsh, beaches and dunes, a high-energy tidal inlet, bird rookeries, oyster banks, clam beds, tidal creeks, and a complete ecological progression from ocean to coastal highland environments. A modern field laboratory, conference center, living quarters, environmental chambers, and other features make the site an exceptional resource.
Marine Science Department's Web site
Link to MarSci, founded at the University of South Carolina and recognized as the premier journal for undergraduate research in the marine and aquatic sciences