Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology

Marine biology majors explore the unique challenges faced by organisms living in the marine environment and the methods by which they meet these challenges. Students begin the program by obtaining a broad understanding of oceanographic principles, and through subsequent lectures, laboratories, and field work, build on this knowledge for a more complete appreciation of the aquatic world. The department also fosters undergraduate research programs in such fields as biological oceanography, coastal and wetland studies, marine environmental physiology, and marine biotechnology and aquaculture in order to enhance the educational experience provided to undergraduates. Upon completion of the degree, students are prepared to specialize at the graduate level in the oceanographic sciences or other environmental disciplines.

Students may also elect to undertake a SEA Semester through the SEA Education Association (SEA) of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a semester in Bermuda at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) or a semester-long research internship at the Marine Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Degree Requirements
Students who declare biology and marine biology must achieve a minimum average grade of C- for BIO 103 and BIO 104 in order to advance in these majors. This minimum average grade is a prerequisite for all biology and marine biology courses at the 200-level or above. In order to be considered a candidate for a B.A. or B.S. in biology or marine biology, students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (C) averaged over all required courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Marine biology majors can receive either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Marine biology majors must satisfy all University Core Curriculum requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210. A 200-level Critical Writing course is prerequisite to advanced courses and should be completed prior to the junior year. In addition, marine biology majors must successfully complete the following courses and sufficient electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology must also successfully complete the following courses:

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology must also successfully complete the following courses:

Students completing the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology must also complete a minimum of 21 (B.S.) or 28 (B.A.) additional credits from among the following courses. Students must take at least one course from either the Applied or the Molecular Category.

Organismal Category
Students must take at least one course marked * and at least one course marked **

Students must take at least one course from either the Applied or the Molecular Category.
Applied Category:

Molecular Category:

The SEA Semester Option

Prerequisite for majors: Satisfactory completion of the writing and mathematics requirements and the five-course Interdisciplinary Core; a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above; and permission from the program faculty.

Prerequisite for Core Concentration: Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics may use the SEA Semester to fulfill the Core Concentration requirement provided the following prerequisites are met before the SEA Semester: satisfactory completion of the writing, mathematics, and the five-course Interdisciplinary Core; a GPA of 2.5; and permission of the program faculty.

Students in good academic standing who meet the prerequisites may apply to attend a SEA Semester through the Sea Education Association (SEA) of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. This exciting and challenging off-campus program combines onshore classes, labs, and field work, in ocean sciences and maritime studies with an offshore sailing and research experience. Students attending a SEA Semester enroll in the following courses:

Marine biology majors who successfully complete a SEA semester must complete a minimum of 20 credits from the marine biology electives if pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, or a minimum of 13 credits from the marine biology electives if pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree.

(This program is academically affiliated, however, certain restrictions exist for the transfer of institutional aid. Please consult the Spiegel Center for details.)

Semester Program at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)

Prerequisite for majors: Satisfactory completion of the writing and mathematics requirements and the five-course Interdisciplinary Core; a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above; and permission from the program faculty.

This semester-long course of study examines the natural processes and human interventions found in the Gulf Stream, the Sargasso Sea, and the coral archipelago, Bermuda. Students are introduced to the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance patterns of tropical marine organisms, with emphasis on the ecology of near-shore areas. Basic principles of ecology are integrated with an understanding of the sea as a habitat for life. Major groups of dominant marine organisms of the region are examined in the field. Major near-shore marine habitats are examined, along with their associated biotic communities. Coral reef ecosystems are emphasized to illustrate basic concepts. Students conduct a major research project. Fall Students enroll in the following courses:

For marine biology majors participating in the Bermuda semester, BIO 361 replaces BIO 320 (organismal), and BIO 336 replaces BIO 335 (organismal), and one additional organismal elective and one elective from either the applied or molecular categories. Remaining electives may be selected from any of the three elective categories.

Marine Biology Research Internship Program at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

Prerequisite for majors: Satisfactory completion of the University Core Curriculum requirements; and the five-course Interdisciplinary Core; a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above; recommendation from an RWU faculty member; and acceptance by the program faculty at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

The semester-long course of study includes an active research component that requires 30-40 hours per week in a laboratory setting under the direction of a research scientist at Woods Hole; an animal husbandry experience that involves feeding animals, maintaining tanks and equipment and providing treatment to diseased animals; and the successful completion of an upper-level biology course, determined by the interest of the student, in consultation with and under the direction of an RWU biology faculty member. Fall, Spring

Students enroll in the following courses:

Marine Biology Internship at the New England Aquarium (NEAq)

Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of the writing and mathematics requirements and the five course interdisciplinary CORE; a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above; recommendation from a RWU Faculty member; and acceptance by the program faculty at the New England Aquarium (NEAq).

This semester-long course of study provides a rigorous introduction to the research and educational opportunities provided by a major public aquarium. The internship will consist of an active research component in a laboratory setting under the direction of an NEAq research scientist, an animal husbandry experience with responsibilities that may include feeding animals, cleaning tanks and equipment, and providing treatment for diseased animals, and the successful completion of a dedicated course of research under the direction of an RWU biology faculty member. Students enroll in the following courses: