Prospective Students
Undergraduate Preparation
Students who have earned an undergraduate degree in biology, geology, physics, chemistry,
mathematics, or engineering are likely to have a good foundation for our graduate
program, although there are several other undergraduate majors that are also suitable.
For further assistance, please contact an marinescience@usf.edu.
In summary, our preferred undergraduate coursework includes
- Two semesters each of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- At least one semester each of Geology and Calculus
- 15-18 credit hours of upper level coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics
- 2 semesters of Statistics preferred for the MRA concentration
In addition to coursework, consider taking advantage of opportunities like the ones listed below and integrate them into your undergraduate preparation.
- Engage in undergraduate or post-bachelor’s Research Experience (e.g. REU, Undergraduate Research Capstone, post-degree employment)
- Gain a working knowledge of at least one coding language (e.g. Python, R, C++)
- Take courses to build your writing and communications skills, (e.g. scientific writing, public speaking)
- Gain a working knowledge of graphic design or imaging software
Recommended Undergraduate Curriculum
All students considering applying to a graduate program in Marine Science/Oceanography
should include as many of the following general courses as possible in their undergraduate
degree.
General Education Example List
| Courses | Examples (+Semester Credits) |
|---|---|
| 2 Semesters of Biology | Fundamentals of Biology I |
| Fundamentals of Biology II | |
| Fundamentals of Zoology | |
| Fundamentals of Botany | |
| 2 Semesters of Chemistry | General Chemistry I + Lab |
| General Chemistry II + Lab | |
| 2 Semesters of Physics | General Physics I + Lab |
| General Physics II + Lab | |
| 2 Semesters of Geology if available | Physical Geology |
| Earth History | |
| 2 Semesters of Calculus | Elementary Calculus I |
| Elementary Calculus II |
Specialization Courses
In addition to the general courses, students should take 15-18 credit hours of specialization
courses in one of the basic sciences, examples listed below. A bachelor’s degree in
a core science discipline will likely include some of the courses below in it’s upper-level
requirements.
| Biology | Chemistry | Geology | Physics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genetics Cell Biology | Intro Inorg Chem Elem | Invert Paleontol | Modern Physics |
| Principle of Ecology Animal | Anal Chem | Struc Geol | Intermediate Physics Lab |
| Physiology Organic Chemistry | Organ Chem I | Depos Syst | Advanced Physics Lab |
| Fund. of Botany | Org Chem ILab | Marine Geol | Mechanics I and II |
| Mycology Marine | Org Chem II Lab | Mineralogy | Electricity and Magnetism I and II |
| Botany Intro to Micro | Elem Phys Chem I | Sedimentol | Quantum Mechanics |
| App & Envir Micro | Elem Phys Chem II | Geochemistry | Physics Seminar |
| Comp Vert Anatomy | Intro Biochem | Strat/Pet Geol | Undergraduate Research |
| Invert Zoology | Intro Biochem Lab | Surficial Geol | Calculus III |
| Mar Animal Ecol | Meth Chem Inves | Economic Geol | Differential Equations |
| Icthyology | Biomolecules | Petrology | |
| Biol of the Echin | Adv. Inorg Chem | Anal Tech Geol | |
| Radiochem | Geomorphology | ||
| Instrum Ana | Geophysics |