BA in Marine Science

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, Biology Professor Finnerty (jrf3@bu.edu), the Associate Director, Earth Sciences Professor Fulweiler (rwf@bu.edu), or the BUMP Program Manager, David Brown (daveb@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 550, BI 563, 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 Finnerty, Biology, jrf3@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.