College of Arts & Sciences

Marine Science

Director Richard W. Murray (Earth Sciences)

Associate Director Leslie Kaufman (Biology)

Associated Faculty Atema, Finnerty, Golubic, Kaufman, Lobel (Biology), FitzGerald, Fulweiler, Murray (Earth Sciences), Anderson (Geography & Environment).

As part of the Boston University Marine Program (BUMP), the marine science concentration includes interdisciplinary coursework in four areas of marine science—marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, and physical oceanography—to give students a wide understanding of all marine-related science. Courses are completed in the departments of Biology, Earth Sciences, and Geography & Environment, with required related coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics.

Resources of the concentration extend to BUMP’s Academic Partners: the New England Aquarium, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and the Sea Education Association (SEA) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Students have the opportunity to take marine courses beginning the first semester of freshmen year and to participate in at least one Marine Semester, a hands-on, field-oriented block of marine courses. The development of research skills and projects is strongly encouraged. The BA in marine sciences prepares students for employment in the marine professions or continued training in research, education, government, or industry.

Each marine science concentrator will be assigned a permanent advisor through the Program Manager of BUMP. This advisor will meet with the student at least once a semester to help set-up and implement a program of study.

Concentration in Marine Science (0440)

The concentration requirements for Marine Science include eight courses distributed between the Departments of Biology, Earth Sciences, and Geography & Environment, as well as eight other science courses that provide appropriate background for the marine sciences. A grade not lower than C is required in all required related, core introductory, marine breadth, and Marine Semester courses to receive major credit.

Course Requirements

Required Related Courses (8)  Two courses in biology: CAS BI 107 and 108. Two courses in chemistry: CAS CH 101 and 102, or CH 109 and 110, or CH 111 and 112, or CH 171 and 172. One year of calculus, fulfilled by CAS MA 123 and MA 124 (or the single semester equivalents of MA 127 or MA 129). One course in statistics, CAS MA 213. One course in physics, CAS PY 211.

Core Introductory Course (1)  CAS ES 144 (MP section with discussion).

Marine Breadth Requirement (3)  Students must complete one course from three of the four marine science areas of marine biology (CAS BI 260), marine chemistry (CAS ES/BI 423), marine geology (CAS ES 331, or ES 440, or ES 541), and physical oceanography (CAS GE/ES 507).

Marine Semester (4)  Participation in at least one four-course Marine Semester is required. If a student’s schedule permits, participation in additional Marine Semesters is encouraged. Students seeking admission to a Marine Semester must have completed at least one of the four “Marine Breadth Requirement” courses. Preference for admission into the Marine Semester will be given to Marine Science concentrators. Marine Semester courses currently include CAS BI 531 (Ichthyology: Behavior Ecology, and Evolution of Fish), CAS BI 532 (Field Biology of Belize Coral Reef: Expeditionary Ichthyology), CAS BI 536 (Molecular Ecology and Evolution), CAS BI 546 (Marine Megafauna Ecology), CAS BI 547 (Marine Invertebrate Zoology), CAS BI 563 (Sensory Biology), CAS BI 468 (Marine Microbial Ecology), CAS BI/GE 578 (Marine Geographic Information Science), CAS ES 543 (Estuaries and Nearshore Systems), CAS ES 545 (Tropical Oceanography of the Caribbean Sea), and CAS ES 546 (Tropical Oceanography of the Caribbean Sea: Applications and Research). This suite of courses may be modified annually and students are encouraged to contact the BUMP Office for the latest offerings. Students may also enroll in Directed Study in Marine Science (CAS MS 491), Biology, Earth Sciences, or Geography & Environment, for one block course per Marine Semester, with written permission from the Director of BUMP

Minor Concentration in Marine Science (0440)

Five courses are required for a minor in Marine Science. The grades in each of these courses must be C or higher to receive credit towards the minor. All minor concentrators develop their programs in consultation with a BUMP faculty advisor. The five courses can be any five of the marine science concentration courses offered by the Departments of Biology, Earth Sciences, and Geography & Environment, including those taught as part of the Marine Semester. Directed Study courses are not eligible.

For more information contact the BUMP Program Manager, J. Ryan ( jer@bu.edu).

Organizations

Marine Science Association (MSA)

Marine Science concentrators and other students interested in the field are welcome to participate in this group, which sponsors marine science-related activities, including lectures, field trips, and social events. For further information, e-mail MSA at msa@bu.edu or visit Marine Science Association.

Undergraduate Research Courses

CAS MS 491, 492 Undergraduate Research in Marine Science

Prereq: junior or senior standing. Research in marine science for students at the junior or senior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Research topic must be defined at the time of registration. Course grade to be determined by performance and written report. Staff. 2 or 4 cr, either sem.

Note: MS 491 may be taken for concentration credit once per Marine Semester. MS 491/492 may otherwise be taken for elective credit only.

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16 October 2009
Boston University
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