Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences
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.
A cornerstone of our Marine Sciences program is the 'Semester by the Sea' at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), where students spend the 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.
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.
Careers in Marine Sciences
Career Fields
Marine Biology
Marine Ecology
Oceanography
Marine Engineering
Fisheries Science
Conservation
Research
Management
Aquaculture
Education
Biotechnology
Environmental Consulting
Types of Employers
Government Agencies
Aquariums
Engineering Companies
Environmental Consultant Groups
Conservation Agencies
Non Profit Organizations
Educational Institutions
Aquaculture Facilities
Contracting Companies
Job Titles
Oceanography Technician
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Specialist
Marine Mammal Technician
Marine Mammal Rescue Specialist
Aquaculture Technician
Aquarist
Fisheries Biologist
Research Assistant
Marine Science Research Technician
Marine Conservationist
Marine Educator
Marine Ecologist
Create a Pathway to Postgraduate Employment
South’s location and partnerships within the community allow students networking opportunities to connect to the coast.
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
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 Credit Hours is Required for a Degree
All General Education Requirements must be met. For the most accurate and official program requirements, please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin. Website information is for general reference only and may not reflect recent updates.
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 (Fall Only) | 4 |
| ♦MAS 332 & ♦332L | Marine Science II with Lab (Spring Only) | 4 |
| MAS 336 | Marine Operations & Research-W (DISL Spring) | 3 |
| MAS 431 & 431 L | Field & Laboratory Measurement with Lab (DISL Spring) | 4 |
| MAS 490 & 490 L | Biodiversity of Coastal Ecosystems with Lab (DISL Spring) | 4 |
| MAS 475 | Biodiversity of Coastal Ecosystems with Lab (DISL Spring) | 4 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ♦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 |
| Must choose one of the following | ||
| ♦MA 125 | Calculus I | 3-4 |
| ♦ST 210 | Stat Reason and Application | 3-4 |
| Course ID | Course Name |
|---|---|
| MAS 371 | Shark & Ray Biology |
| MAS 367 | Marine Biology |
| MAS 426 | Ocean Talk-W (Fall only) |
| 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 |
| MAS 490 | Data Exploration (Fall Only) |
| MAS 494 | Directed Studies |
| Other electives may be approved by an Academic Advisor | |
