Marine Science, B.S.

Degree Requirements (120 Credits)

Core Curriculum Requirements

Core Curriculum (38-40 Total Credit Hours)

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements (3-7+ Credits) *

Foundation Courses (34-46 Credits) *

Complete the following courses:

Choose two from the following: (2-4 Credits)

Note:

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in all foundation courses except BIOL 121 , CHEM 111 /CHEM 111L , MATH 161 , and PHYS 212 /PHYS 212L .

* BIOL 121 /BIOL 121L , BIOL 122 /BIOL 122L , MATH 160 , MSCI 111 /MSCI 111L , and MSCI 201 also satisfies core curriculum math, science, and communication requirements. Though listed above under foundation courses, their credits are counted toward the total credits for the core curriculum and not toward the foundation total.

Major Requirements (36 Credits)

Complete the following courses:

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 - 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
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)
Computer science courses at the 310 level or above
GEOG 201 - Introduction to Physical Geography (3 credits)
Geology courses numbered at the 300 level or above
Mathematics courses numbered at 240 or above
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:

Note:

A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all major requirements. No more than six credit hours of independent study, internship, and/or directed undergraduate research and/or senior thesis may be used for major credit.

Cognate or Minor Requirements (0 Credits)

Students majoring in marine science are not required to complete a minor or cognate. However, they may elect to minor in any field in which Coastal Carolina offers a minor. If the minor includes courses which can be used for marine science major credit, then up to eight credit hours of those courses may also be applied toward the marine science major’s upper level science requirement of 36 credit hours. Students seeking minors must have an adviser selected from the department offering the minor in addition to their marine science adviser.

Electives: 0-13 Credits

Total Credits Required: 120 Credits

Recommended Areas of Study in Marine Science

Students may elect to intensively study an area of interest in marine science by selecting an area of emphasis. Each student will plan his or her academic plan in consultation with a marine science adviser. The following areas of emphasis are recommendations only and do not represent required courses toward a degree program.

Atmosphere/Ocean Dynamics

Coastal Geology

Marine Analytical Technology

Marine Biology

Marine/Environmental Chemistry

Marine Policy

Click here for information on Double Major requirements.

Coastal AIMS Plan

The Coastal Accelerated Integrated Marine Science (Coastal AIMS) Plan offers a comprehensive plan for highly motivated students to complete all coursework requirements for both the B.S. in Marine Science and the M.S. in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies within five years. Highly motivated students would enroll in above-average course loads during their first three years of study, enabling them to take up to 12 graduate credits via the Transitional Study program during their fourth year. Students applying to the AIMS Plan must maintain a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and earn an average GPA of 3.0 or better in the 300-level MSCI core courses. At the completion of at least 90 undergraduate credits, students accepted into the AIMS Plan will apply for conditional acceptance into the CMWS program. GRE scores and the application fee will be waived for this application, which will require two letters of recommendation from CCU Graduate Faculty and a written commitment from a Graduate Faculty member to serve as the student’s M.S. adviser. Full acceptance to the CMWS program will occur at the completion of the B.S. degree requirements and fulfillment of the above-listed academic standards. In addition to offering an expedited pathway to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees, students in the AIMS Plan may earn waivers for up to two graduate core courses. For more information, contact the Departments of Marine Science and/or Coastal and Marine Systems Science.