MRNBIO:BS - Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
Download as PDF
Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marine Biology
See general university admission requirements at admissions.fiu.edu.
Marine Biology Program activities and upper-division coursework will be concentrated at the Biscayne Bay Campus, although some course requirements may be met elsewhere at FIU.
Continuity in academic advisement is an objective in this specialized degree program. Students in the BS Marine Biology Program will be advised by a dedicated Marine Biology Advising Office. Faculty in Biological Sciences, including Marine Biology faculty, also are available to provide academic and career advice for students in the Marine Biology Program.
Admissions Requirements for the BS with Honors in Marine Biology
(1) Permission of the department. Application should be made by letter to the Honors Committee from the applicant after completion of two semesters at the University and prior to two semesters before graduation. The letter should state the intended research problem and be countersigned by the Thesis Committee (advisor and mentor).
(2) A minimum GPA of 3.5 in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics courses.
The Lower Division component of the Marine Biology Bachelor of Science is similar to that of the BS in Biological Sciences, in which common prerequisites in Biological Sciences, Chemistry1, Physics, Calculus, and Statistics must be met. All requirements for completion of the lower division in Biological Sciences apply to the BS in Marine Biology, including the grade of “C” or better in required courses, the lower division physics, calculus, and statistics requirements, options, and acceptable substitutions.
For a list of all state-approved common prerequisites, including alternatives, visit https://cpm.flvc.org.
For common prerequisites, students must complete either the organic chemistry sequence or the physics sequence. Chemistry I & II or Physics I & II are not sufficient to meet the requirements for the degree. Students must complete both Organic Chemistry and Physics sequences to fulfill degree requirements.
course can be used to substitute for either Organic Chemistry II (course plus course) or Physics II (course or course plus course), but not both sciences and labs.
FIU does not accept course as a substitute for course
course and course alone are not sufficient to meet the requirements for the degree.
IMPORTANT! The following common prerequisite courses must be taken, in addition to the courses below, to fulfill this requirement: course & course; course or course and course; course & course; course or course and course
All freshman and first-year transfer students entering the Marine Biology major are required to complete a one-semester course (course) introducing the degree program
Students are required to complete both Organic Chemistry I & II and Physics I & II. Students may complete either sequence as part of the Lower Division Common Prerequisites and must complete the other sequence as a requirement for the degree.
The Organic Chemistry sequence course & course and course & course may be fulfilled by taking the following courses: course & course and course & course and course.
course is required only for students who did not take course.
The upper-division requirements for the BS in Marine Biology include a selection of six common requirements, one required laboratory, and a choice of four marine electives, including selections from among the physical sciences. The Marine Biology Distribution Requirement provides for disciplinary breadth in Marine Biology electives.
Students are required to choose at least 15 credits spread among the following four areas. At least 1 class per area needs to be taken plus one additional class from any of the four categories for a total of 15 credits. Biology and Physiology of Marine Organisms; Marine Ecology and Conservation Biology; Field Marine Biology Experience; Marine Cellular and Molecular Biology:
course may count for Biology and Physiology of Marine Organisms or Field Marine Biology Experience but not both.
course does not count as lab.
course may count for Biology and Physiology of Marine Organisms or Field Marine Biology Experience but not both.
For course, independent study with a Marine Biology faculty member, requires permission of Marine Biology Director.
course requires permission of Marine Biology Director.
There are no majors associated with this program.
Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Science with Honors in Marine Biology program
1. A minimum GPA of 3.5 in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics courses.
2. Completion of the BS requirements in Marine Biology, and Honors Research Lab (BSC 4915L, 1 to 3 credits, and Honors Thesis (BSC 4970, 3 credits).
3. Completion of Honors research in collaboration with a two-person Honors Committee, consisting of the honors advisor and one other member. The honors advisor must be a tenured or tenure-earning member of the department. The research results must be written in the form of an honors thesis and approved by the Honors Committee.
4. Deposit two completed approved copies of the Honors Thesis with the Department’s Office: one copy to be kept in the department and the other to be deposited in the Library.
5. Presentation of the results of the Honors Research in a departmental seminar.