Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
Curriculum
A minimum of 36 credits is required and must include BIO 101 or 101H/103, 102/104, 130, 352 and 360 (17 credits) and at least one course from each of three of the following five areas: cell and developmental biology (BIO 302, 311, 341); ecology and evolution (BIO 262, 272); molecular biology (BIO 437); organismal diversity (BIO 308, 310, 321, 323, 354, 365, 366, 385, 404, 412, 417, 425G; CMB 211); physiology (BIO 201, 346). The balance of the 36 credits must be selected from among the marine biology electives: AFS 415, 486; AVS 440, BIO 256G, 308, 310, 345, 354, 355, 365, 412, 416, 422, 425G, 455, 457, 469, 475, 485, 563; NRS 475; OCE 575; OCG 420, 480, 561, 576. Students are encouraged to participate in research; up to three credits of independent study or special topics (BIO 491, 492, 495) in the following disciplines may be applied toward this requirement: AFS, AVS, BIO, CMB, NRS, OCE, OCG and PLS. Students must take at least two BIO laboratory courses in addition to 103, 104 and 360, and excluding 491, 492, and 495.
In addition, students must take CHM 101, 102, 112, 114 or CHM 191, 192; CHM 226, 227, 228 or CHM 124,126, CMB 311; MTH 131 or 132; MTH 141 or 142 or STA 308; OCG 301 or 451; PHY 111, 112, 185, 186 or PHY 203, 204, 273, 274; and WRT 104 or 106.
Students must maintain a 2.00 grade point average in BIO courses used to meet the minimum of 36 credits for the major. A total of 120 credits is required for graduation.
In order to transfer from University College for Academic Success to the College of Environment and Life Sciences as a Marine Biology major (or be coded as such in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences), a student must have earned 30 credits including BIO 101 or 101H, 102, 103, 104 with grades of C or better and CHM 101 with a grade of C- or better.
The Minor. The minor in marine biology requires at least 20 credits, including 8 credits of general biology (BIO 101/103 and 102/104, or equivalent, e.g., Advanced Placement), marine biology (BIO 360), and at least 8 additional credits chosen from among courses counted as marine biology electives for the B.S. degree in marine biology. A maximum of 3 credits in research (e.g., BIO 491, 492) may be counted towards the minor. At least half of the credits for the minor must be earned at URI. A minimum GPA of 2.00 must be earned in the credits required for the minor. Application for a minor must be filed with the coordinator of the Marine Biology Program prior to the completion of the first semester of the senior year.