Under the Sea
So you want to become a
Marine Biologist
There are several divisions of ocean study, such as Physical Oceanography, chemical oceanography, geological oceanography, biological oceanography, and of course, marine biology. We at Under the Sea, specialize in the education side of these fields but also participate in some research. Here are a few suggestions on how you may pursue the goal of becoming a marine biologist or other kind of marine scientist:
1- Bathe every day - no one likes a stinky person so remember - ya ain't gonna work here smelling like that! And brush your teeth, too! Seriously, hygiene will aid you in getting any job.
2- Read - I mean everything. The more you know, the further you go. Heck, if you fail to achieve the goal of Marine Biologist, at least you will be ready for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire!
3- Take Notes - Every time you learn something new, into the note book it goes. Every time you read a book, write down the title, author, and summary of the book, as well as things that you learned from the book and things you disagree with.
4- Question statements - You won't believe how many books, especially kids' books, we have read that have misinformation. If you have doubts about the information, do some research to find the truth, then, go back to suggestion #3.
5- Expand your skills - It is important to be knowledgeable about your field of expertice but often, it is equally important to have other skills that may be useful at times. Some of these skills may be navigation, boat handling, SCUBA diving, aquarium keeping, and animal collecting. Be willing to learn.
6- Keep an open mind - Do not concentrate on any one division of marine biology until you are in college. We highly recommend that your undergraduate study (first years of college) be in biology and graduate studies be in marine biology. You may find out that ocean science is not for you but if the majority of the courses you have taken are in that field, they will not transfer to another major. Get a good biology and chemistry foundation and then start to take specialty courses.
7- Learn to write and communicate well. Researchers have to publish their findings so writing is an indispensable skill.
8- Volunteer - Few people at Sea World or the Baltimore Aquarium started jobs without first volunteering. Locally in the DC area there are many opportunities - The National Zoo, the National Aquarium in DC, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Nature Centers even Under the Sea accepts volunteers. You will meet others with your ambitions and start to learn skills that will increase you chances of getting a job in a variety of ocean science fields.
9- Talk to others in the job field you are interested in and ask them what they did to get into their field.10- Be curious - Curiosity may have killed the cat, but cats rarely train to be marine biologists! The more you wonder, the more you'll work to find answers to your questions, and the more you'll learn!
Top Schools in Marine Studies
There are over 65 colleges and universities that offer undergraduate degrees in marine studies. We are trying to list them here, so if you know of one that is not listed, please e-mail us! The following schools may offer one of the following degrees:
Physical Oceanography
Chemical Oceanography
Geological Oceanography
Biological Oceanography
Marine Biology
Aquaculture
(U) - Denotes undergraduate program
(G) - Denotes graduate program
United States
Alabama
Dauphin Island Sea Lab Member Institutions (U&G)
Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks Graduate Program (G)
Arizona
Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Fisheries & Aquaculture (U)
California
California State University at Monterey Bay (U)
California State University at Monterey Bay/Moss Landing Marine
Labs (G)
Humboldt State University - Aquarium Science (U)
Humboldt State University - Fisheries (U&G)
San Diego State University/Coastal and Marine Institute (G)
University of California Santa Barbara - Ecology, Evolution &
Marine Biology (U&G)
University of California Santa Barbara - Graduate Program in
Marine Science (G)
University of California Santa Cruz (U&G)
University of California San Diego/Scripps Institution of
Oceanography (G)
University of Southern California (G)
Colorado
Colorado State University - Fisheries (U&G)
Colorado State University (U&G)
Connecticut
University of Connecticut (G)
Delaware
University of Delaware (G)
District of Columbia
Florida
Florida Institute of Technology Marine Biology (U&G) and
Oceanography & Ocean Engineering (U)
Florida State University (U&G)
Nova Southeastern University (U&G)
University of Florida (U&G)
University of Miami Undergraduate Program (U) and
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (G)
University of South Florida (G)
University of West Florida (U)
Georgia
University of Georgia (U&G)
Hawaii
University of Hawaii (U&G)
University of Hawaii at Hilo/Kalakaua Marine Education Center (U)
Idaho
University of Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute (U&G)
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Kentucky State University Aquaculture Program (G)
Louisiana
Louisiana State University Center for Coastal, Energy &
Environmental Resources (G)
Maine
University of Maine School of Marine Sciences(U&G)
University of New England (U)
Maryland
University of Maryland (G)
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technologyl (U)
MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program (G)
Northeastern University (U&G)
University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (U&G)
Michigan
Minnesota
University of Minnesota - Fisheries (U&G)
Mississippi
Mississippi State University Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries (U&G)
University of Southern Mississippi Institute of Marine Sciences (G)
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Institute for the Study of Earth,
Oceans and Space (G)
New Jersey
Richard Stockton College (U)
Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences (G)
New Mexico
New York
Colubmia University Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory (U&G)
SUNY Cobleskill - Fisheries & Aquaculture (U)
SUNY Stony Brook Marine Biology (U)
SUNY Stony Brook Marine Sciences Research Center (U&G)
North Carolina
Duke University/Nicholas School of the Environment - Marine
Laboratory (U&G)
East Carolina University's Program in Maritime Studies (G)
North Carolina State University (U&G)
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (U&G)
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Marine Biology &
Physical Oceanography (U)
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (G)
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Oregon State University (G)
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island (U)
University of Rhode Island/Graduate School of Oceanography (G)
South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University (U)
College of Charleston Grice Marine Laboratory (U&G)
University of South Carolina (U&G)
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M University (U&G)
Texas A&M University at Galveston (U&G)
Texas A&M University/Institute of Nautical Archeology (G)
University of Texas at Austin (U&G)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
College of William & Mary/Virginia Institute of Marine Science (G)
Old Dominion University (G)
Washington
University of Washington (U&G)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
International
Australia
Flinders Institute for Atmospheric and Marine Sciences (U&G)
Flinders University of South Australia's Lincoln Marine Science
Center (U&G)
James Cook University(U&G)
Canada
Dalhousie University (G)
Georgian College, Orillia Campus - Marine Technology (U)
University of British Columbia (U&G)
University of Victoria (U&G)
Job advertisements
Most jobs in marine biology and related fields are government related. Here are some recent job announcements (as of 3/22/12) to give you an idea of what the pay scale is and qualifications are.
INTERNSHIPS in
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
at the DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB
June 1 – August 3, 2012
The Discovery Hall Programs at the Dauphin Island
Sea Lab has
two summer internships available forundergraduates
from minority groups currently
marine science and environmental education
Interns assist the DHP education staff in our many
summer programs for K-12 students, teachers and the
public (see http://dhp.disl.org/).
(juniors, seniors, or recent graduates)under-represented in.Located ~45 minutes south of Mobile, Alabama, the Dauphin Island
Sea Lab (DISL) is the marine research and education facility for the
state of Alabama. DISL’s Discovery Hall Program is one of the
largest marine education programs on the Gulf coast. This is a
wonderful opportunity to learn more about environmental education,
marine science and the Gulf coast while living at the beach!
Each internship includes a
$3,500 stipend, room,board
and a travel allowance of $250.The successful candidate should be interested in marine science
and environmental education and have completed a minimum of
one year of biology or education. Interns live at the Sea Lab and
are expected to work some nights and weekends. Interns should be
able to swim, have a valid US drivers license, be capable of
handling some strenuous physical activity as
well as high heat and humidity since many
activities take place outside.
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume,
and current transcript to Ms. Sara Johnson at
251-861-2141 x7515 or
sejohnson@disl.org.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTORS
Environmental Science Instructors are responsible for facilitating daytime environmental education lessons on land and at sea in the following: marine science, geology, forest ecology, botany, oceanography, coastal / island ecology. Our core curriculum entices the seasoned naturalist to develop fun, innovative, educational, and meaningful lessons.
Requires: related degree; experience with and enthusiasm for working with youth in an outdoor setting; demonstrated leadership, teaching and facilitation skills; confirmed knowledge of a variety of outdoor science activities and skills; familiarity with team building and group dynamics activities to foster self-esteem and cooperation among campers; desire to be a member of a shared working and living environment; strong work ethic; positive attitude; flexibility; creativity; sense of humor; CPR/ First Aid. Minimum age 21. Room and board provided as well as a number of whale / sail trips, puffin trips and kayaking excursions. Salary based on experience & qualifications.
Detailed job descriptions and application available at www.whalecamp.com. If you have questions, email whalecamp@verizon.net, or call: 610-399-1463. Interviews for all positions begin March 1. Approximate employment dates: June 15 - Sept 6, some flexibility.
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