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
Options follow the learning outcomes of the major. For this option, refer to the learning outcomes of the Biology major.
The Marine Biology and Ecology option requires 15 or fewer additional credits beyond the basic Biology major, and most students can complete the additional option coursework in four years. Courses used to satisfy the Marine Biology and Ecology option requirements also satisfy the Organismal and Physiology, Ecology and Evolution, Writing Intensive, and Experiential Learning or Integrative Biology Elective requirements for the Biology major. The option will also fulfill the Core Education Difference, Power, and Oppression Advanced, and Beyond OSU II requirements.
Students may not declare more than one option in the Biology major. Option requirements can be shared with other programs unless those programs have restrictions on sharing.
At least one term in residence at Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) is required (spring or summer track). The 15-credit BI 450 course (Spring Track) is taught each spring term at HMSC, requires junior standing, and is by application only. Course topics include invertebrates, algae, fishes, ecology, and 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 (Summer Track) does not require an application and includes a variety of Hatfield Marine Science Center marine courses outlined below.
BI 111 is an optional weekend experiential course at Hatfield Marine Science Center that complements other option coursework, particularly for students in their first year with little or limited previous marine experience.
For further information, see MyDegrees or the Integrative Biology website.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| BI 346 | +OCEAN JUSTICE | 3 |
| BI 347 | OCEANS IN PERIL | 3 |
| OC 201 | +*OCEANOGRAPHY | 4 |
| Hatfield Marine Science Center Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | 18 | |
| Spring Track - by application only | ||
| +^MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY | ||
| Summer Track 1 | ||
| MARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| PACIFIC NORTHWEST COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| +^FIELD METHODS IN MARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| ICHTHYOLOGY | ||
| MARINE AND ESTUARINE INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| Experiential Learning or Marine Elective Courses | ||
| Select one course from Track I or II: | 3-4 | |
| 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) | ||
Study abroad experiences by approval | ||
| Track II Marine Elective | ||
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| MONSTER BIOLOGY | ||
| 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) | ||
| MARINE CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | ||
| METHODS IN PHYSIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF MARINE MEGAFAUNA (taught at Hatfield Marine Science Center) | ||
| BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY | ||
| ESTUARINE ECOLOGY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY (if not used above) | ||
| Total Credits | 31-32 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
- 1
Not all courses in the Summer Track are taught in summer
Option Code: 027