B.S. Marine Biology
Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Programs
Key Information
Campus location
Fort Lauderdale, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 33,510
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Study the Animals, Chemistry, and Physics of the Ocean on a Campus Devoted to Marine Science
Did you know that more is known about the surface of the moon than what is known about the oceans' depths? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) “more than 80% of our ocean is unmapped, unobserved and unexplored.” Nova Southeastern University’s Marine Biology program gives you the opportunity to learn more about the unexplored.
A B.S. in Marine Biology from NSU comes with many opportunities and experiences. NSU's Oceanographic Campus includes the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center and marina dedicated to the study of marine science. You can often see marine life from the windows of your classrooms! NSU’s location, at the edge of diverse marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems, allows for faculty, researchers, and students to engage in multidisciplinary research.
At NSU, you’ll learn from experienced professors and researchers at the forefront of their profession. You'll gain a firm grounding in large ecosystems, laboratory techniques, and ecology. Your electives will take you deeper into zoology, sharks, and coral communities. The oceans and their inhabitants offer hope of new and great scientific discoveries in fields such as medicine, environmental restoration and protection, and green technologies. With your bachelor’s in marine biology from NSU, you’ll be prepared to develop solutions to local and global issues.
Why Should You Major in Marine Biology at NSU?
- An entire NSU campus and marina are devoted to marine science.
- Conduct joint research on marine biology with faculty and graduate students.
- Local, national conferences: attend or present your work based on your interests.
- High-tech lab facilities: equipment enables students to practice assessments in various specializations.
- Rho Rho Rho: join the National Marine Biology Honor Society based on your academic achievement.
- Internships – Develop career strategies, gain practical field experience, and create networks for employment opportunities.
- Studying abroad and independent study gives you the freedom to delve into your passion.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Core Courses (61 credits)
- Biology I/Lab
- Biology II/Lab
- General Ecology/Lab
- Invertebrate Zoology/Lab
- Genetics/Lab
- General Chemistry I/Lab or General Chemistry I/Lab Honors
- General Chemistry II/Lab or General Chemistry II/Lab Honors
- Organic Chemistry I/Lab or Organic Chemistry I/Lab Honors
- Organic Chemistry II/Lab or Organic Chemistry II/Lab Honors
- Applied Statistics or Applied Statistics Honors
- Calculus I or Calculus I Honors
- Explorations in Marine Sciences
- Marine Biology/Lab
- Oceanography/Lab
- General Physics I/Lab or General Physics I/Lab Honors
- General Physics II/Lab or General Physics II/Lab Honors
Group I: Science foundation electives (12-13 credits)
Select at least 12 credits from any MBIO 3000- or 4000- level course. Among those, but not limited to:
- Functional Biology of Marine
- Deep-Sea Ecology
- Marine Community
- Food Web Dynamics
- Plankton Ecology
- Biology of Fishes/Lab
- Coral Reefs and Coral Communities
- Sharks and Their Relatives
- Special Topics in Marine Biology
- Vertebrate Zoology/Lab
- Evolution
- Biochemistry/Lab
- Environmental Geology/Lab
- Calculus II
- Calculus II Honors
- Deep-Sea Ecology
- History of Science
- Research Methods
Group II: Lab or field-based electives
Select at least 5 or more credits from the following courses:
- Natural History of South Florida
- Everglades Ecology and Conservation
- Survey of Marine Mammals
- Island Biogeography and Island Biogeography Field Course
- Ecology of the Galapagos Islands and Ecology of the Galapagos Islands Field Trip
- Independent Study in Marine Biology
Open Electives (9 credits)
ANY Select 9 credits from any courses offered at NSU.
Experiential Learning/Internships
During your undergraduate years, you’ll have a number of hands-on opportunities to gain real-world experience through field or lab studies. These may include local and international opportunities to present your own research at conferences and hands-on experience in laboratories and in the field.
Additionally, NSU marine biology majors have access to exclusive internships. Some of the organizations where students have previously interned include Zoo Miami, Marine Environmental Center at the Carpenter House, Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Tampa Zoo, Ocean Mammal Institute, Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy, Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), Lubee Bat Conservancy, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and The Bill Fish Foundation.
The Clinic Exploration Program (CEP) offers students the opportunity to shadow medical professionals on the job in many of NSU’s medical and health clinics. Program participants gain a broad perspective that shows how various medical fields work together and a practical, up-close review of several medical career options.
All undergraduate students may take part in CEP, no matter what major they pursue. Each rotation lasts two hours per week, for three weeks. Because this is a volunteer program, member commitments are flexible and voluntary.
Career Opportunities
Pursue a Career Dedicated to the Marine Environment
With your marine biology degree, you’ll be prepared for a number of career opportunities, including those in aquaria/husbandry, coastal development, ecotourism, education, environmental consulting, maritime law, journalism, marine engineering, pharmaceuticals, research, veterinary science, water management and more. With the selection of appropriate courses, a marine biology degree also opens possibilities for a career in the health profession. Many marine biology graduates choose to continue their studies in master's and doctoral programs in marine science, as well as medical, dental, veterinary, and other professional schools.
Average Starting Salary
Salaries you can earn with a marine biology degree vary widely because of the many career offerings associated with this degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salaries (in 2019) of some jobs associated with this degree include:
- Hydrologists – $81,270
- Geoscientists – $92,040
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists – $71,360
- Veterinarians – $95,460
Shark Destinations
You’ll find NSU marine biology alumni at companies like Broward County Board of County Commissioners, PIKE Corporation, MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and Zoo Miami. Additionally, many graduates choose to continue their studies at NSU in master’s programs such as the M.S. in Marine Science, which offers you the choice of three concentrations: Marine Biology, Coastal Zone Management, and Marine Environmental Science. *
*Data provided by NSU’s Office of Career Development