Marine Science

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Marine science is a rich discipline that combines studies from a variety of subjects in order to understand the marine environment, marine life, and their interactions. Basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics is essential for students to analyze the workings of marine systems and to appreciate the processes affecting marine life. Studies in marine biology are broad, spanning organisms from bacteria to whales, and spanning perspectives from entire marine communities to the biochemistry of molecules. Marine science plays a pivotal role in the continuing quest to understand our world and to manage its resources. The interdisciplinary nature of the Marine Science curriculum will prepare students to analyze critically such contemporary issues as environmental change, human impacts on the ocean, and biodiversity.

Students seeking the BS degree in Marine Science follow a biological or a physical marine science track. The biological track emphasizes ecology, behavior, physiology, genetics, and population and community structure of marine animals, plants, and microbes. The physical track is oriented toward physical, chemical, and geological ocean science. Students in both tracks learn to appreciate the oceanographic perspective, that is, the oceans as systems of interacting components. Both tracks share common courses designed to provide an interdisciplinary science background. Where appropriate, courses take advantage of the many ecological and oceanographic regimes found along the Maine coast. Students in both tracks are encouraged to spend a fall Semester-by-the-Sea taking hands-on courses in residence at the University’s Darling Marine Center. Students are counseled to seek opportunities for independent research, internships, and part-time employment with marine faculty. Students in the Marine Science program are provided with a strong general foundation in the sciences suitable for advanced study in one of the marine sciences or in other scientific fields. The BS in Marine Science also provides a solid preparation for immediate employment in marine-related industries, governmental agencies, education, and the nonprofit sector. Students may consult with their academic advisors to achieve specific goals, such as professional certification as an Associate Fisheries Scientist by the American Fisheries Society. More information about Marine Science can be found on our web site www.marine.maine.edu

The School of Marine Sciences has administrative offices in Aubert Hall on the Orono campus. Faculty offices and research laboratories are located on the Orono campus and at the Darling Marine Center. The approximately 40 faculty that comprise the School have expertise in numerous marine fields, and they teach and conduct research and outreach in both basic and applied sciences, such as aquaculture. Most have teaching and research interests of relevance to the State of Maine, e.g. population biology and culture of important marine species, and also of relevance to other geographic areas and scientific questions, e.g. the biology and oceanography of the Antarctic Ocean.

Facilities for teaching and research in marine science on the Orono campus are numerous and diverse. They are found in several buildings that house School faculty. Special instrumentation and facilities include: a scanning and electron microscopy laboratory; instrumentation for molecular biology and microbiology, including a central DNA sequencing facility; aquatic holding and recirculation systems; an oceanographic satellite receiving laboratory; and comprehensive computing support. The Orono campus also houses the Aquaculture Research Center, which contains several salt-water recirculation systems for rearing marine organisms and a wave-generation tank.

The Darling Marine Center is the marine laboratory of the University of Maine and functions as a research and teaching facility for University of Maine students and faculty and for visiting investigators from throughout the world. The Center is located near the mouth of the Damariscotta Estuary about 100 miles south of Orono. A shuttle provides transportation between the Orono and Darling campuses during the academic year. Facilities include modern laboratories, classrooms, conference rooms, a marine library, flowing seawater laboratories a dormitory and dining hall, and cottage housing. A fleet of boats up to 42 feet long provides access to nearby estuarine and coastal waters. Several undergraduate and graduate courses are offered at the Darling Center each year, in addition to the Semester-by-the-Sea program.

Bachelor of Science in Marine Science

Requirements
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all requirements of the major overall and in all SMS courses.

Both tracks:

Satisfy university-wide general education requirements
Earn at least 120 credits
College: NFA 117
English: ENG 317
Marine Sciences: SMS 100, 302, 402
Biology: BIO 100
Chemistry: CHY 121, 122, 123, 124
Mathematics: MAT 232
Resource Economics and Policy: REP 371 or INT 105
Senior Capstone Experience: SMS 400

Marine biology track:

Marine Ecology: SMS 300 or 306 or 352 or other approved course; Marine Organismal Biology (3 courses): Group 1 (at least 1 course): BIO 353, BMB 300-305; SMS 473, 480, 481; Group 2 (at least 1 course): SMS 322, 422, INT 308, or other approved course
Biology: BIO 200
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology: BMB 280
Chemistry: CHY 251, 253 or BMB 221, 222
Mathematics: MAT 126 or 151
Physics: PHY 111, 112 or 121, 122
Other: BIO 445 or 452-453 or 462 or 465 or or BMB 430-431 or 490 or SMS 425 or 485 - 486.

Physical marine science track:

Marine Sciences: SMS 325, 330
Geology: GES 101 or 102 or 109
Mathematics: MAT 126, 127
Physics: PHY 121, 122
Systems and Processes (16 credits from this group): CHY 251-253, 252-254, 371, 372, 374, GES 314, 315, SMS 300 or 352, 410, 460 or other approved course.