Department of Biological Sciences

Prospective Undergraduates

Students interested in pursing Marine Biology as a career choose the BS Marine Biology degree. This program is a rigorous one. In addition to providing an opportunity to take upper-level courses in various aspects of marine biology, the curriculum is designed to give students a firm foundation in modern biological sciences,  thus keeping doors open for a broad range of career opportunities. Students interested in pursuing a degree program in Marine Biology are strongly encouraged to take as much science and math as they can in high school.

Alternatively, students may work towards a BA in Biology (which includes and approprate marine-related courses, but less chemistry, physics and math) or a Minor in Marine Biology.

Useful URI Links:

• URI Admissions Office
• URI Honors Program
• URI Centennial Scholars Program

"A Science or Engineering Bachelor's Degree is Good For You" - 2006 Press Release from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Students who wish to explore marine biology while still in high school might want to investigate the following summer programs for HS students:

• Shoals Marine Laboratory (for Cornell academic credit)
  • Marine Environmental Science
  • Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine (see SEA below)
  • Links to other programs at University of New Hampshire and elsewhere
• SEA Education Association
  • Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine
• Project Oceanology (www.oceanology.org/)

Prospective Graduate Students

Prospective graduate students interested in entering the MS or Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences should first contact prospective mentors (see Marine Biology Faculty) to learn more about their research programs , whether they have openings for new students in the upcoming academic year, and to arrange campus visits. You may also contact the Director of Graduate Studies (in Biological Sciences), Dr. Cheryl Wilga.

• Applications for admission in the Fall semester are due on January 15 for full consideration for financial aid (Teaching Fellowships).
• Applications are all on-line via the Graduate School webpage.
• Teaching Fellowships (stipend and tuition remission in exchange for teaching responsibilities 20 hours/week) are available to qualified MS and PhD students, and is guaranteed for several years (with appropriate level of performance).
• Summer teaching assistantships may also be available.
• Research Assistantships may be available in faculty laboratories.
• Small grants for the support of graduate research and travel to conferences to present thesis/dissertation work are available via application from the Graduate School, the URI Foundation and the URI Council for Research. Students are also encouraged to apply for NSF Graduate Fellowships and other external sources of funding.

Useful Links:

• URI Graduate School (for application procedures)
• "How To Apply to Graduate School" (from the Leadership Alliance)

URI Marine Biology Program
Dept. of Biological Sciences
100 Flagg Road
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881-0816
Tel: 401.874.5494
Fax: 401.874.4256 (Bio. Sci.)
E-mail: urimbio@etal.uri.edu