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
Dauphin Island Sea Lab logo

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.

 

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

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

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 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.

▼   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 (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 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
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
▼   Choose Three Electives
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

  • "The Sea, Once it Casts its Spell, Holds One in its Net of Wonder Forever" ~Jacques Cousteau