Marine Biology and Ecology Option
This option is available within the Biology major at the following location:
- Corvallis
The Marine Biology and Ecology option is designed to give students a strong background in the biology of marine organisms and their habitats. The core biological sciences background of the Biology major is coupled with field and laboratory course work in marine biology, ecology, conservation, and oceanography. The option emphasizes research and includes experiential courses completed in residence at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) in Newport, Oregon. Additional research or internship experience is strongly recommended for option students, and three credits can be applied to the option electives. The Marine Biology and Ecology option provides excellent preparation for graduate programs in marine biology. Students completing the Marine Biology and Ecology option cannot seek the Marine Biology minor.
Option Code: 027
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Explain and apply the fundamental concepts of the biological sciences, including biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and genetics; physiology and organismal biology; and ecology and evolution.
- Identify and access information (from primary literature and other relevant works) for a particular topic and evaluate the scientific content and context of these sources.
- Generate relevant and testable scientific questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and identify measurable predictions based on observations or previous research.
- Design and implement observational or experimental investigations to collect relevant data, and employ appropriate analytical methods to analyze that data.
- Interpret data and/or observations to support or refute hypotheses, draw conclusions, put findings in the context of current scientific knowledge and literature, and/or suggest future avenues of research.
- Use effective formal and informal communication (i.e., written, oral, graphical, multimedia) to convey scientific information in ways that are appropriate for scientific and non-scientific audiences for a particular topic and evaluating the scientific content and context of these sources.
- Integrate and analyze information within and across spatial and temporal scales as well as levels of biological organization.
- Identify, reflect upon, and evaluate assumptions, biases, and alternative hypotheses or interpretations for their own scientific claims or those of others.
- Justify the importance of science and science literacy for individuals and society.
- Integrate biology with other disciplines to make evidence-based decisions on socio-scientific issues.
- Explain how biases and societal factors affect the processes of science (and vice versa), access to participation in science, and the differential outcomes and impacts (both positive and negative) of science on individuals.
- Explain and justify the ethical standards of their discipline, evaluate the ethics of published science, and articulate their personal code of ethics.
- Use effective and appropriate forms of collaboration.
- Produce a self-assessment of interpersonal and academic behaviors needed to achieve their individual career goals.
Options in the Biology major require 20 or fewer additional credits beyond the basic Biology major, and most students can complete the additional Marine Biology and Ecology option coursework in four years. Courses used to satisfy the option also satisfy the Organismal Biology, Physiology, Writing Intensive Course, Biology and Society, and Integrative Biology electives in the Biology major.
At least one term in residence at Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) is required (spring or summer). The 15-credit BI 450 course is taught each spring term at HMSC, requires junior standing, and is by application only. The course covers marine invertebrates, algae and fishes, as well as sections on marine ecology, conservation and policy. It also includes an undergraduate research project. Applications to BI 450 are available the fall before attending in the Integrative Biology Office in Cordley Hall. The summer term at HMSC does not require an application and includes a variety of excellent marine courses.
BI 111 is an optional weekend experiential course at Hatfield Marine Science Center that complements other option coursework, particularly for students with little or limited previous marine experience.
For further information, see MyDegrees or the Integrative Biology website.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| BI 347 | *OCEANS IN PERIL | 3 |
| OC 201 | *OCEANOGRAPHY | 4 |
| Z 423 | ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| Hatfield Marine Science Center Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | 15-18 | |
| Spring Track - by application only | ||
| ^MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| Summer Track 1 | ||
| MARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| PACIFIC NORTHWEST COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| ^FIELD METHODS IN MARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| PHYCOLOGY (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
or BOT 416 | AQUATIC BOTANY | |
or FW 315 | ICHTHYOLOGY | |
| MARINE AND ESTUARINE INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| Experiential Learning or Marine Elective Courses | ||
| Select one of the following based on your selection of the spring or summer track above: | 3-8 | |
Spring Track: Select a course from Track I and II or two courses from Track II | ||
Summer Track: Select one course from Track I or II | ||
| Track I Experiential Learning Credits | ||
| Select any combination of three credits from the following: | ||
| TEACHING PRACTICUM (by approval) | ||
| RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP (by approval) | ||
| PROJECTS: CURATORIAL ASSISTANT (by approval) | ||
| ADVANCED TEACHING PRACTICUM (by approval) | ||
| INTERNSHIP (by approval or approved OSU international internships) | ||
| Track II Marine Elective | ||
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| PACIFIC NORTHWEST COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS (if not used above; taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| SYMBIOSES AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| MONSTER BIOLOGY | ||
| AQUATIC BOTANY (if not used above) | ||
| PHYCOLOGY (if not used above, taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE MAMMALS (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| ICHTHYOLOGY (if not used above) | ||
| SYSTEMATICS OF FISHES | ||
| ECOLOGY OF MARINE AND ESTUARINE BIRDS (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| ESTUARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| MARINE CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| METHODS IN PHYSIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF MARINE MEGAFAUNA (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| AQUATIC MICROBIOLOGY (MB 422 is optional) | ||
| BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY | ||
| Total Credits | 31-32 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
- ^
Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
- +
Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards
- 1
Not all courses in the Summer Track are taught in summer
Option Code: 027