Marine Science, B.S.

Program Overview

The Marine Science program at Coastal Carolina University provides a comprehensive foundation in the scientific study of marine environments. Students explore physical oceanography, marine biology, marine geology, and marine chemistry through a combination of coursework, laboratory experiences, and field research. The program prepares graduates for careers in marine science, environmental management, and related fields.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Foundation Courses (34-46 Credits)
• MSCI 111 - Introduction to Marine Science (3 credits) and MSCI 111L - The Present-Day Marine Environment Laboratory (1 credit)
• MSCI 112 - Introduction to Earth and Marine Geology (3 credits) and MSCI 112L - Introduction to Earth and Marine Geology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 121 - Biological Science I (3 credits)
• BIOL 122 - Biological Science II (3 credits)
• CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I (3 credits) and CHEM 111L - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
• CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II (3 credits) and CHEM 112L - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
• MATH 160 - Calculus I (4 credits) or MATH 160A - Calculus I A (2 credits) and MATH 160B - Calculus I B (2 credits)
• MATH 161 - Calculus II (4 credits) or MATH 161A - Calculus II A (2 credits) and MATH 161B - Calculus II B (2 credits)
• PHYS 211 - Essentials of Physics I (3 credits) and PHYS 211L - Essentials of Physics I Laboratory (1 credit)
• PHYS 212 - Essentials of Physics II (3 credits) and PHYS 212L - Essentials of Physics II Laboratory (1 credit)
• STAT 201 - Elementary Statistics (3 credits) and STAT 201L - Elementary Statistics Computer Laboratory (1 credit)
• Choose two from the following: (2-4 Credits)
• BIOL 121L - Biological Science I Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 122L - Biological Science II Laboratory (1 credit)
• MSCI 201 - Scientific Communication (3 credits)
• Major Requirements (36 Credits)
• MSCI 301 - Physical Oceanography (3 credits) and MSCI 301L - Physical Oceanography Laboratory (1 credit)
• MSCI 302 - Marine Biology (3 credits) and MSCI 302L - Marine Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
• MSCI 304 - Marine Geology (3 credits) and MSCI 304L Q - Marine Geology Laboratory (1 credit)
• MSCI 305 - Marine Chemistry (3 credits) and MSCI 305L - Marine Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
• Choose marine science courses at the 300 level or above, or preapproved MSCI credit at the 300 level or above offered through a study abroad program (8 Credits)
• Choose science courses from the following: (12 Credits)
• Marine science courses numbered 300 and above
• Chemistry courses at the 300 level or above except CHEM 301 and 306
• CSCI 140 - Introduction to Algorithmic Design I (3 credits) and CSCI 140L - Introduction to Algorithmic Design I Laboratory (1 credit)
• CSCI 150 - Introduction to Algorithmic Design II (3 credits) and CSCI 150L - Introduction to Algorithmic Design II Laboratory (1 credit)
• Geology courses numbered at the 300 level or above
• Mathematics courses numbered at 240 or above, except MATH 329, 330, 348, and 403
• Physics courses numbered at the 300 level or above
• Statistics courses numbered at the 300 level or above
• Approved study abroad transfer credit (1-12)
• Biology courses from the following list:
• BIOL 310 - Invertebrate Zoology (3 credits) and BIOL 310L - Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 315 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3 credits) and BIOL 315L - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 322 - Physiological Ecology (3 credits) and BIOL 322L Q* - Physiological Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 330 - Microbiology (3 credits) and BIOL 330L - Microbiology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 340 - Cell Biology (3 credits) and BIOL 340L - Cell Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 343 - Comparative Physiology (3 credits) and BIOL 343L - Comparative Physiology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 350 - Fundamentals of Genetics (3 credits) and BIOL 350L - Fundamentals of Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 365 - Evolution (3 credits) and BIOL 365L - Evolution Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 370 - Principles of Ecology (3 credits) and BIOL 370L - Principles of Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 399 Q* - Independent Study (1 to 6 credits)
• BIOL 400 - Comparative Animal Nutrition (3 credits)
• BIOL 410 - Developmental Biology (3 credits) and BIOL 410L - Developmental Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 426 - Ichthyology (3 credits) and BIOL 426L - Ichthyology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 436 - Animal Behavior (3 credits) and BIOL 436L - Animal Behavior Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 442 - Advanced Genetics (3 credits) and BIOL 442L - Advanced Genetics Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 450 - Molecular Biology (3 credits) and BIOL 450L - Molecular Biology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 451 - Molecular Techniques (4 credits)
• BIOL 455 - Marine Botany (3 credits) and BIOL 455L - Marine Botany Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 461 - Ornithology (3 credits) and BIOL 461L - Ornithology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 466 - Ecology of Fishes (3 credits) and BIOL 466L - Ecology of Fishes Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 481 - Freshwater Ecology (3 credits) and BIOL 481L - Freshwater Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 484 - Conservation Ecology (3 credits) and BIOL 484L - Conservation Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 485 - Vertebrate Zoology (3 credits) and BIOL 485L - Vertebrate Zoology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 488 - Wetland Plant Ecology (3 credits) and BIOL 488L - Wetland Plant Ecology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BIOL 492 - Phylogenomics (3 credits)
• BIOL 499 Q* - Directed Undergraduate Research (1 to 6 credits)
• Cognate or Minor Requirements (0 Credits)
• Students majoring in marine science are not required to complete a minor or cognate.