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Ocean Science - B.S.

General Information

Degree & Major:

College Name:

Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

Department Name:

Marine Sciences

Contact:

Undergraduate Coordinator
marsciundergrad@uga.edu
(706) 542-7671

Find Out More

Degree Requirements

College-wide Requirements

University-wide Requirements

Description:

Ocean Science deals with the biology, chemistry, physics, and geology of marine environments. The Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Science is therefore at its core an interdisciplinary program, although most students will emphasize one or more of these sub-fields through the design of their particular program of study.

The overarching objectives of the program are:
1) To provide students with a substantive knowledge of the natural sciences and an understanding of the nature and practice of modern scientific inquiry.
2) To educate students in the breadth of Ocean Science, emphasizing a process-oriented view of marine systems and the interdisciplinary approach required to study them.
3) To equip students with the critical thinking and analytical tools to generate, analyze, and interpret scientific data.
4) To prepare students to pursue careers in Ocean Science or allied fields.

Details

Career Opportunities:	The major in Ocean Science (B.S.) will provide students with the knowledge and training to pursue a variety of careers related to marine ecosystems, including basic and applied research, natural resource management, aquaculture, coastal and environmental policy, and environmental consulting. The major will also provide an excellent foundation for graduate training in ocean science and related disciplines.
Expectations of Transfer Students:	Students who are transferring upon completion of two years of course work are strongly encouraged to complete areas II and VI as specified for the Ocean Science major. Students should contact the College of Arts and Sciences or the Marine Sciences Department for information on how best to fulfill these requirements.
Special Requirements:	A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required for all major required courses.
Study Abroad:	Students in the fall of their 4th year are strongly encouraged to participate in the Coastal Semester offered at UGA’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. More information about this and other programs can be found on the Department of Marine Sciences web site.
Internships:	The Department strongly encourages undergraduates to pursue independent research with one of our faculty. We have an independent research course (MARS 4960) that fulfills the University’s experiential learning requirement. We especially encourage students to consider spending multiple semesters in one lab and completing a senior thesis (MARS 4990). In addition to the high value placed on research by graduate school admissions committees, an undergraduate research experience serves to consolidate all your Ocean Science training. Students should consult a list of faculty research interests (https://www.marsci.uga.edu/research) and make contact with a faculty member to inquire about the possibilities of doing independent research in his/her lab.