Scripps Oceanography Marine Biology Major StudentUndergraduate student Elvira Hernandez Lopez

Marine Biology Major

Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers an undergraduate major program in Marine Biology, resulting in a B.S. degree. Undergraduates in this major will develop an understanding of the biology of marine organisms and the biological and physical processes that affect these organisms, their populations, and their coastal and oceanic ecosystems. The degree requires a foundation in the natural sciences, a rigorous core of marine biology courses and a unifying laboratory/field course that engages students more directly in the discovery process and in analyzing and interpreting data. Majors select electives from a growing set of upper division Scripps courses ("SIO" in course listings) in marine biology and related disciplines. The marine biology curriculum takes advantage of UC San Diego's unique physical location along the Pacific Ocean. Laboratory work and field trips to intertidal zones, salt marshes, and other marine ecosystems are important components of the program.

Ocean sciences are relevant to many contemporary environmental issues and problems and central to understanding earth-system evolution, dynamics, climate, and sustainability. A major in Marine Biology is an appropriate start for students who are seeking a career or graduate studies in Marine Biology and related biological disciplines, a career in fields such as marine conservation, or simply interested in the major to broaden their base of knowledge and experience in the biological sciences. Program advisors and faculty can provide additional information on career and graduate school opportunities. It is strongly recommended that all Marine Biology majors meet regularly with academic advising staff in the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Undergraduate Education Office in Galbraith Hall and with the marine biology faculty advisor, listed below, to discuss and update curriculum choices.

Students must receive a grade of C- or higher in any course to be counted toward fulfillment of the major requirements (with the exception of SIO 90 and SIO 139 which are only offered on a P/NP basis). SIO 199 credit (4 units) may be used to satisfy one restricted elective requirement, but does not satisfy a laboratory course requirement.

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Lower Division Requirements

  • Math 10A-B-C or 20A-B-C
  • Chem 6A-B-C, 7L
  • Physics 1A+1AL, 1B+1BL, 1C+1CL or 2A-B-C
  • BILD 1: The Cell
  • BILD 2: Multicellular Life
  • BILD 3: Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
  • SIO 90: Undergraduate Seminar: Perspectives on Ocean Sciences

Upper Division Requirements

1. Marine Biology Core: (all courses required)

  • SIO 132: Introduction to Marine Biology
  • SIO 134: Introduction to Biological Oceanography
  • SIO 181: Marine Biochemistry
  • SIO 136: Marine Biology Laboratory
  • SIO 139: Current Research in Marine Biology Colloquium

2. Biology Core Courses: (all courses required)

  • SIO 187: Statistical Methods in Marine Biology
  • BICD 100: Genetics

3. Oceans Physics and Chemistry Elective: (at least one of the following)

  • SIO 111: Introduction to Ocean Waves
  • SIO 135/236: Satellite Remote Sensing
  • SIO 117: The Physical Basis of Global Warming
  • SIO 119: Physics and Chemistry of the Oceans
  • SIO 141/CHEM 174: Chemical Principles of Marine Systems
  • SIO 143: Ocean Acidification
  • ESYS102: The Solid and Fluid Earth

4. Restricted Electives (at least 5 of the following; 2 must be indicated as laboratory courses):

  • SIO 147: Applications of Phylogenetics (Lab)
  • SIO 126: Marine Microbiology
  • SIO 126L: Marine Microbiology Lab (Lab)
  • SIO 101: California Coastal Oceanography (Lab)
  • SIO 104: Paleobiology & History of Life (Lab)
  • or SIO 148: Evolution of Earth’s Biosphere (Lab)
  • SIO 138: The Coral Reef Environment
  • SIO 133: Marine Mammal Biology
  • SIO 50: Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences (Lab)
  • SIO 189: Pollution, Environment and Health
  • SIO 183: Phycology: Biology of Marine Plants (Lab)
  • SIO 184: Marine Invertebrates (Lab)
  • Chem 140A: Organic Chemistry I
  • Chem 140B: or Chem 140 BH Organic Chemistry II
  • Chem 143A: or Chem 143 AH Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Lab)
  • BIBC 102: Metabolic Biochemistry
  • BIBC 103: Biochemical Techniques Lab (Lab)
  • BIEB 102: Introduction to Ecology
  • BIEB 150: Evolution
  • SIO 199: Independent Study for Undergraduates
Scripps Oceanography Undergrad Marine Biology Major earth sciences major marine sciences minor Scripps Alumni library Careers in oceanography