Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences

scuba diver with fish in silohuette to the left of the frame

Dive Into the Unknown—Discover Where a Degree in Marine Sciences Can Take You!

Whether you are excited about marine plants and animals or computers and technology, the marine sciences program provides opportunities to explore coastal and ocean environments in whatever ways interest you the most. Students are guided by a world-renown faculty with expertise ranging from fisheries sciences to marine ecology to ocean physics. The University of South Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences designed to address society’s growth need for specialized understanding of the marine environment.

Semester by the Sea

A cornerstone of our Marine Sciences program is the 'Semester by the Sea' at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), where students spend their spring semester of junior or senior year taking coursework with the option of living in residence. Other nearby natural marine laboratories include the Mobile Tensaw Delta, Mobile Bay, barrier islands and the deep water off the Gulf coast. This unparalleled opportunity brings you face-to-face with marine systems from muddy salt marshes to coastal reef communities and introduces you to different types of cutting-edge marine technology and sampling techniques.

Careers in Marine Sciences

The specialized skills and experiences you will gain from completing this degree program will allow you to tap into the rapidly expanding opportunities from the growing importance of the "Blue Economy". The basic scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills acquired in this program allows graduates to succeed in a broad range of career paths related to the marine environment in government, academic, and commercial settings.

students on a boat over a clear blue ocean with one student climing into the water off the back of the boat with a floatation device

Job Titles in Marine Science

Marine Science Research Technician

Marine Conservationist

Marine Educator

Marine Ecologist

Aquaculture Technician

Aquarist

Fisheries Observer

Research Assistant

Oceanography Technician

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Specialist

Marine Mammal Technician

Marine Mammal Rescue Specialist

South’s location and partnerships within the community allow students networking opportunities to connect to the coast and create a pathway to postgraduate employment.

Community Engagement

Work at local oyster farms

Volunteer for beach clean-up efforts

Teach at Alabama's Aquarium

Assist with the Alabama Deep Sea Rodeo

Local Conservation Groups

Share the Beach: a sea turtle conservation program

Alabama's Marine Mammal Stranding Network

South Alabama Land Trust

Day Trips

Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to kayak the salt marsh

Weeks Bay Reserve to visit the pitcher plant bog

5 Rivers Delta to witness the incredible biodiversity of the Mobile Tensaw Delta

A Minimum of 120 Hours is Required for a Degree

All General Education Requirements must be met

▼ Required Core Courses

27 Hours of Major Course Requirements plus 10 hours of Major Elective Courses

Courses with a ^♦ symbol require a grade of "C" or higher to participate in Semester by the Sea.

Course ID	Course Name	Credit Hours
^♦MAS 134 & ^♦134L	Ocean Science with Lab	4
^♦MAS 331 &^♦331L	Marine Science I with Lab	4
^♦MAS 332 & ^♦332L	Marine Science II with Lab-W	4
MAS 336	Marine Operations/Research-W	3
MAS 431 & 431 L	Field & Laboratory Measurement with Lab	4
MAS 490 & 490 L	Biodiversity of Coastal Ecosystems with Lab	4
MAS 475	Biodiversity of Coastal Ecosystems with Lab	4

▼ Additional Course Requirements

Additional courses required for the major include 16 credit hours of general education courses in the following list.

Courses with a ^♦ symbol require a grade of "C" or higher to participate in Semester by the Sea.

Course ID	Course Name	Credit Hours
MA 125	Calculus I	3-4
ST 210	Stat Reason and Application	3-4
^♦BLY 121 & ^♦121L	General Biology I with Lab	4
^♦BLY 122 & ^♦122L	General Biology II with Lab	4
^♦CH 131 & ^♦131L	General Chemistry I with Lab	4
^♦CH 132 & ^♦132L	General Chemistry II with Lab	4
Must choose one of the following
^♦PH 201& ^♦201L	Calculus Based Physics I with La	4-5
^♦PH 114 & ^♦114L	Physics with Algebra-Trig I with Lab	4-5

▼ Choose Three Electives

Course ID	Course Name
MAS 371	Shark & Ray Biology
MAS 367	Marine Biology
MAS 430	Marine Botany
MAS 471	Marine Invertebrate Zoology
MAS 478	Marine Mammal Health/Strand Response
MAS 494	Directed Studies
MAS 451	Marine Vertebrate Zoology
MAS 477	Coral Reef Biology & Ecology
MAS 488	Field Marine Science II
other options may be available