The Department of Biological Sciences offers three undergraduate majors and minors for students interested in marine biology:
Other undergraduate degree programs in marine science and oceanography are offered by other departments at URI. See links in right hand column.
The BS Marine Biology Curriculum:
This program is appropriate for students who plan to pursue a career as a practicing marine biologist. 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. The curriculum has the following five components:
Introductory Biology
(BIO 101, 102) - Credit for AP Biology may satisfy this requirement. These courses serve as a pre-requisite for all other BIO courses.
Required Courses in Chemistry, Physics and Math
The same courses are required for students in the BS Biological Sciences and BS Marine Biology majors. They are: two semesters of General Chemistry w/ lab, two semesters of Organic Chemistry w/ lab [or one semester of Organic Chemistry w/lab], two semesters of Physics w/ lab, two semesters of Calculus [or one semester of Calculus and one semester of Statistics].
Required Core Courses in Biological Sciences
These courses provide students with a firm foundation in subdisciplines of modern biological sciences such as: molecular and cell biology, genetics, physiology, organismal diversity, evolution and ecology.
Required Course in Oceanography
(OCG 401 or 451) - Taught by faculty from the Graduate School of Oceanography.
Marine Biology Electives
Course topics include Marine Ecology, Marine Environmental Physiology, Biology of Invertebrates, Biology and Ecology of Algae and Marine Plants, Evolution and Diversity of Fishes, Tropical Marine Invertabrates and Coral Reef Ecology. Qualified students also have the opportunity to take graduate-level courses in Biological Sciences and at the Graduate School of Oceanography (e.g., Biological Oceanography, Deep Sea Biology, Marine Microbiology, etc.).
Students are strongly encouraged to explore courses in other CELS departments such as FAVS, NRS, ENRE, etc. and in the Graduate School of Oceanography (for qualified students).
Credit for courses taken through the URI in Bermuda program or the Woods Hole Sea Semester program (see Study Abroad page) will be assigned credit as per University Policy. Credit for courses taken as a part of other Study Abroad programs, those earned for completion of summer field courses at marine laboratories or courses at other universities, may be evaluated for transfer credit. Students are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor about these opportunities as soon as possible so a Pre-Approval of Transfer Credit form can be approved.
A total of 130 credits are required for the BS Marine Biology.
The requirements of the curriculum for the BS Marine Biology allow students to satisfy the basic requirements for admission to medical school, dental school and veterinary school. However, additional courses in biological sciences are strongly recommended for application to these professional schools.
The BA in Biology Curriculum:
This program requires less chemistry, math and physics than the curriculum for either BS Biological Sciences or the BS Marine Biology. While this degree program is not in Marine Biology, per se, electives can be chosen from courses in marine biology in order to satisfy an interest in this area of study. This curriculum would be appropriate for those students who might want to combine marine biology with career interests in business, law, K-12 education, etc.
View: BA in Biology core requirements and electives.
The Minor in Marine Biology Curriculum:
This program requires that at least 18 credits be completed in marine biology courses. If you would like to earn a Marine Biology minor, please consult the pertinent University policies (see below) and make an appointment to see Dr. Webb to discuss the particulars as soon as practical, but certainly prior to your senior year.
From Chapter 8 (Academic Regulations) of the University Manual, 11th Edition
8.20.60 Minor Fields of Study. Undergraduate students may declare a "minor" field of study. Requirements may be satisfied by:
- completion of 18 or more credits of any of the minors that have been proposed by one or more departments and approved by the Curricular Affairs Committee, Faculty Senate, and the President; or
- completion of 18 or more credits within a curriculum other than the student's major; or
- completion of 18 or more credits of related studies offered by more than one department and sponsored by a faculty member competent in the minor field of study.
To declare a minor, a student must have approval of the department chairperson of the minor field of study (or faculty sponsor in option 3 of this paragraph), and the student's academic dean. A student's approved minor(s) will be listed on the student's permanent academic record after graduation.
8.20.61 At least twelve of the eighteen credits required for a minor shall be at the 200-level or above. At least half of the credits required for a minor must be earned at The University of Rhode Island. A minimum average of 2.00 must be earned in the eighteen or more credits required for the minor.
8.20.62 No course required in a major program (30-36 credits) may be used to apply to both the major and minor fields of study. Courses from other curricula that are recommended or required for the major may apply to the minor. Courses in General Education may be used for the minor. Courses in the minor may not be taken under the pass-fail grading option. #05-06--35 (PDF doc)
8.20.63 Application for a minor must be filed in the academic dean's office no later than the beginning of the second semester of the student's senior year. Departments and programs may require an application for a minor in advance of the second semester of the senior year, but not before the semester in which 60 credits are completed. #05-06--35 (PDF doc)
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