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Marine Science Undergraduate Program

BUMP offers an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in Marine Science through Boston University's College of Arts and Sciences. As one of the premiere marine programs in the country, we offer the chance to participate in an interdisciplinary hands-on curriculum taught by leading BU faculty and in collaboration with internationally reknowned marine institutions with whom we are Academic Partners, including the New England Aquarium, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and the Sea Education Association (located in Woods Hole, MA).

Concentration in Marine Science[proposed for Fall 2008]

The requirements for the Marine Science concentration include eight (8) courses distributed between the departments of Biology, Earth Sciences, and Geography & Environment, as well as eight (8) other science courses identified to provide specific expertise in 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 concentration credit. For more information contact either the Director of the BU Marine Program, Earth Sciences Professor Murray (rickm@bu.edu), the Associate Director, Biology Professor Kaufman (lesk@bu.edu), or the BUMP Program Manager, Jen Ryan (jer@bu.edu).

Required Related Courses. Two courses in biology (BI 107 and 108). Two courses in chemistry (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 MA 123 and MA 124 (or the single semester equivalents of MA 127 or MA 129). One course in statistics (MA 213). One course in physics (PY 211).

Core Introductory Course. One course in oceanography (ES 144, including discussion section for Marine Science concentrators).

Marine Breadth Requirement. Three courses chosen from the following four options: One course in marine biology (BI 260, including discussion section). One course in marine chemistry (ES/BI 423). One course in marine geology (ES 331, or ES 440, or ES 541). One course in physical oceanography (GE/ES 507).

Marine Semester. 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" classifications and must have junior standing or consent from the director. Preference for admission into the Marine Semester will be given to Marine Science concentrators. Marine Semester courses currently include BI 531, BI 532, BI 536, BI 546, BI 547, BI 463, BI 468, and BI/GE 578 (see Courses for more detail). 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 either Biology, Earth Sciences, or Geography & Environment, for one block per Marine Semester, with written permission from the Director of BUMP (Professor Murray, Earth Sciences, rickm@bu.edu).

Students are also encouraged to investigate complementary minors in BI, ES, and GE, such as the Remote Sensing/Geographic Information Systems minor offered by GE.

Minor in Marine Science

Five courses are required for a minor concentration in Marine Science. The grade in each 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. For more information contact either the Director of the BU Marine Program, Earth Sciences Professor Murray (rickm@bu.edu), the Associate Director, Biology Professor Kaufman (lesk@bu.edu), or the BUMP Program Manager, Jen Ryan (jer@bu.edu).

The five courses for the minor can be any five of the marine science courses offered by the departments of Biology, Earth Sciences, and Geography & Environment as part of the Marine Science concentration. Directed Study courses are not eligible. Thus, the five courses are drawn from the following (* indicates course offered during the Marine Semester):

From Biology: BI 260, BI 423 (same as ES 423), BI 531*, BI 532*, BI 536*, BI 546*, BI 547*, BI 463*, BI 468*, BI 578 (same as GE 578)*.

From Earth Sciences: ES 144, ES 423 (same as BI 423); one of ES 331, ES 440, or ES 541; ES 507 (same as GE 507).

For Geography and Environment: GE 507, GE 578 (same as BI 578)*.

Marine Science Association (MSA)

The MSA is a student-run organization which sponsors marine science activities, lectures, field trips, and social events, including a whale watch and a Boston Harbor Islands Tour. Visit their website at http://people.bu.edu/msa for more details about their current planned events, meeting times, and for the opportunity to join their mailng list.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

BUMP strongly encourages hands-on research at the undergraduate level and offers each student the opportunity to spend time in a marine field enviroment. Several BUMP courses involve a field or laboratory project involving hands-on collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Often students take what they have observed and learned from a course to the next level by developing an original research project under the supervision of a faculty member in his or her lab. Juniors and Seniors can receive credit for their research via Undergraduate Research or Directed Study. Advanced Seniors can also participate in Independent Work for Distinction, which is an opportunity to develop a special competence in research with a two-semester independent program of study culminating in a thesis and an oral examination in front of a faculty committee. Additionally, funding for undergraduate research is available through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Laura Vincent Award for Undergraduate Research

The Lara Vincent Prize for Original Research at BUMP was established in the Fall of 1998 in honor of Lara Vincent, a BUMP student who tragically died on her last training flight as a military pilot. Lara always tried to do the things that were most challenging and she did them with great imagination and energy. We award this cash prize to the undergraduate student who has done the most original research during one of our courses in the Marine Semester.

Marine Science Careers

A degree in Marine Science opens the door to a variety of career choices. While some may require additional education in graduate school, not all do. Opportunities exists in government agencies, private environment agencies and consulting firms, presevation technology or law, coastal construction, teaching, or research. For more information on marine career choices and interviews with those currently working in the marine industry, please visit marinecareers.net.

How to Apply to BU/BUMP

Boston University Undergraduate Admissions