Marine Science

Contact

Dr. Barry Costa-Pierce
bcostapierce@une.edu

Degree name
Bachelor in Science with a major of Marine Science
Sections

Mission

The mission of the Department of Marine Science at the University of the New England is to enable students to understand the real-world relevance of the marine sciences, foster scientific literacy and critical thinking skills, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful, productive contributions to society.

The Marine Sciences encompass a wide variety of disciplines that seek to understand the way the ocean functions, and how it is related to earth systems science, as well as to human interactions with the environment. Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings and applications of disciplines from biology, to chemistry, geology and physics. These disciplines are critical to life as we know it on the planet, and beyond. Students will be able to apply these disciplines to solving real problems, not only in ocean sciences, but in fields as far ranging as meteorology and space exploration

Major Description

The Marine Science program offers a baccalaureate education to students interested in all facets of the marine environment.  The classroom curriculum provides a strong background in the marine sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics and geology of the oceans and their surroundings. The program focuses on hands-on activities, internships and research experiences in addition to classroom work.

The marine science major is designed to provide students with a strong science foundation upon which to build their marine specialty courses. The program is flexible and students are encouraged to explore many areas of the marine sciences through courses and internships emphasizing "hands-on" experiences. An additional goal of the major is to provide students with an adequate background for entry level career positions and for graduate study in marine science programs, or any field requiring a strong science background. The University is located on the Saco River where it joins the Atlantic Ocean, providing numerous marine, estuarine, and fresh water habitats to study on or adjacent to campus.

Curricular Requirements

Curricular Requirements for track in Marine Biology or track in Oceanography 

 

CREDITS

CAS Core Requirements

42-43

  Credits
Marine Biology Track Curriculum 32 - 36
MAR 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms 4
MAR 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 4
MAR 250 - Marine Biology 4
MAR 270 - Oceanography 4
Area Courses (see below)  
Organismal course 3-4
Process course 3-4
Physiological course 3-4
Cellular & Molecular course 3-4
MAR 325 - Marine Science Speaker Series 1
MAR 400-Level course 3
Program Required Cognate Courses  32 - 33
Calculus I & Statistics for Life Sciences 7
Introduction to Chemistry I & II 8
Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II or Organic Chemistry I and Biochemistry 9-10
Physics I & II 8
Program Track Subtotal 64-69
Minimum Required Total Credits 120
  Credits
Oceanography Track Curriculum  26
MAR 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms 4
MAR 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular 4
MAR 266/266L - Oceanography I: Biological & Geological Oceanography 4
MAR 268/268L - Oceanography II: Physical & Chemical Oceanography 4
MAR 366 - Advanced Oceanography I: Biological & Geological Oceanography 3
MAR 368 - Advanced Oceanography II: Physical & Chemical Oceanography 3
MAR 325 - Marine Science Speaker Series 1
MAR 400-level course 3
Program Required Cognate Courses  39 - 40
Calculus I & II and Statistics for Life Sciences 11
Computer Programming 3
Introduction to Chemistry I & II 8
Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry II or Organic Chemistry I and Biochemistry 9-10
Physics I & II 8
Program Track Subtotal 65-66
Minimum Required Total Credits 120
Area Courses Credits
Organismal Biology Area  
BIO 204 - Parasitology 4
BIO 319 - Ornithology 4
BIO 232 - Microbiology 4
BIO 234 - Environmental Microbiology 4
MAR 320 - Invertebrate Zoology 4
BIO 330 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4
MAR 331 - Biology of Fishes   4
MAR 355 - Biology of Marine Mammals 4
MAR 375 - Biology of Sharks, Skates, and Rays 4

MAR 442 - Aquatic Invasive Species 

3
Process Area  
BIO 333 - Evolution 3
MAR 335 - Animal/Behavioral Ecology 4
BIO 350 - Ecology 4
MAR 350 - Marine Ecology 4

MAR 432 - Fisheries Biology 

4
Physiology Area  
BIO 203 - Histology 4
BIO 208 - Anatomy & Physiology I 4
BIO 209 - Anatomy & Physiology II 4
BIO 245 - Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology I 4
BIO 322 - Comparative Animal Physiology 3

BIO 340 - Embryology

4

BIO 345 - Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology II 5
BIO 404 - Neuroscience 4
BIO/MAR 421 - Physiological Ecology of Fishes 4
MAR 326 - Experimental Animal Physiology 3
Cell and Molecular Area  
BIO 200 - Genetics 5
BIO 207 - Organismal Genetics 4
BIO 365 - Immunology 3
BIO 370 - Cell and Molecular Biology 3

Secondary Education Certification

The department offers Marine Science majors the opportunity to select all of the EDU secondary education certification courses (listed below) as their electives in order to become middle or high school teachers (grades 7 - 12) in the area of life science. While providing a solid foundation in the biological sciences, this program includes extensive coursework in education, which, when combined with the secondary teaching internship, will result in State of Maine teacher certification upon completion of the degree program. This program is approved by the State of Maine Board of Education.

Education Courses

CREDITS

EDU 105 - Exploring Teaching 3
EDU 110- 21st Century Learning Through Technology 3
EDU 202 - Curriculum & Assessment 3
EDU 220 - Exceptionality in the Classroom 3
EDU 385- Diversity and Social Justice 3
EDU 382- Literacy Research-Based Instructional Methods 3
EDU 437 - Methods of Teaching Secondary Science 3
EDU 488 - Secondary Education Practicum 3
EDU 498 - Secondary Internship 12
EDU 405- Inclusive Methods and Data Based Decision Making 3
Education Minimum Required Total Credits 39

See Education Department for more details.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Marine Science. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Marine Science.

PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMELINE

Students have a maximum of seven years to complete the graduation requirements.

Academic and Technical Standards

Graduation Requirements:

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Marine Science. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Marine Science.

Program Completion Timeline:

Students have a maximum of seven years to complete the graduation requirements

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students demonstrate a strong foundation in the Marine Science, including biology, chemistry, physics, and geological aspects of the oceans.
  2. Students will integrate knowledge and skills from all areas of study to address interdisciplinary problems. 
  3. Students communicate effectively in both oral and written skills to convey their scientific knowledge and results to peers, the public, and scientific audiences.
  4. Students will independently design and execute well conceived scientific studies.
  5. Students demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  6. Students demonstrate proficiency in quantitative skills.
  7. Students value ethics in the conduct of science and their lives. 

Minors

A marine science minor requires 6 courses, and can follow either of the two tracks in the major, Marine Biology or Oceanography.  

  Credits
Marine Biology Minor 21-23
(MAR 105 -  Biology I: Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms or
BIO 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution) and 
MAR 106 Biology II: Cellular/Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms or BIO 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular
or
BIO 104 - General Biology and 
(MAR 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms or
  MAR 106 - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms)
8
MAR 270 - Oceanography  4
MAR 250 - Marine Biology 4
Two additional organismal topics courses (see course listing above) 6-8
  Credits
Oceanography Minor 21-22
MAR 105 - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms 4
MAR 266 - Oceanography I: Bio/Chem 4
MAR 268 - Oceanography II: Phy/Geo 4
MAR 366 - Adv Oceanography I: Bio/Chem 3
MAR 368 - Advanced Oceanography II: Phy/Geo 3
One additional Marine Science Course 3-4

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of participating in our Honors Program and graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member.

Transfer Credit

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the marine science courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. All Science/Math courses previously completed must be no older than five years.  Other options and restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Lab Fees

Courses with laboratory components have separate fees that vary depending on the course.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office on the Biddeford Campus. Call 207-602-2342, or visit the Financial Aid website.