Marine Sciences

The marine sciences attempt to understand the world's oceans in a comprehensive way, including the biology, physics, chemistry and geology. The oceans cover roughly 70 percent of the surface of the planet and have an overwhelming influence on everything from biological evolution to weather and climate, energy resources, transportation, and many other things.

The influence of the oceans is present in the daily lives of humans, no matter where we live on the planet. So understanding this water world is of utmost importance to everyone.

The marine sciences degree offers a path to the understanding of marine systems and provides a springboard to further study in graduate school or entry into careers related to the oceans. UNE graduates have gone on to study at a number of prestigious schools (e.g. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, SUNY Stony Brook, Dalhousie).

Careers
Graduates can find employment in government laboratories and regulatory agencies (e.g. NOAA, EPA, State departments of Environmental Protection and Marine Resources), private laboratories (e.g. Bigelow Laboratory, Mote Marine Lab), industry (e.g. Idexx Laboratories), and education (e.g. K-12 schools, museums and public aquariums).

The skills of marine science graduates are in demand even in non-marine fields (e.g. pharmaceutical companies, insurance, market research firms). For more information on careers in the marine sciences see the list of links at http://hopkins.stanford.edu/careers.htm.

The University of New England at its coastal Maine campus in Biddeford offers marine sciences students:

Degrees

• Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Sciences. The Department of Marine Sciences offers a degree with two tracks, marine biology and oceanography:
  • Marine Biology offers a focused study of life in the oceans.
  • Oceanography delves more deeply into the abiotic environment and its dynamics.

Within these two tracks, students may further focus on particular areas of interest such as marine mammals, waves, beach processes, marine policy, sharks, geochemistry or others. More information.

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Ocean Studies and Marine Affairs. The new Ocean Studies and Marine Affairs major is aimed at providing future leaders a solid grounding in the vital fields of not only coastal and marine science, but also in resource use, marine governance systems, management, policy, ecosystems ecology, conservation, and sustainable development. More information.
  
  
• Master of Science degree in Marine Sciences. The M.S. degree is for students interested in graduate training with a classroom curriculum providing a strong theoretical background, along with a focus on research experience. More information.

Minor
The Department of Marine Sciences also offers undergraduate minors in marine biology, oceanography, and ocean studies and marine affairs. See links at the left.

Benefits of UNE programs:

• New state-of-the-art facilities for marine biology, oceanography, biological sciences, molecular biology, DNA sequencing, ecosystem research, and aquaculture and aquarium science. The Marine Science Center's unique facilities include the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center.
• Small upper-level classes with hands-on learning and close interaction with faculty.
• A campus on the southern Maine coast with a wide array of marine, terrestrial, and aquatic habitats.
• Undergraduate research opportunities.
• An honors program for qualified students.
• Internship opportunities in a wide variety of fields working at an array of institutions.
• Study abroad offers international travel opportunities while progressing toward your degree.