Marine Science Track
The Marine Science program is offered jointly through the departments of Earth and Planetary Science and Integrative Biology. This track is a good foundation for graduate study in the marine, geological or biological sciences, or for technical positions in State and Federal agencies (such as NASA or NOAA) or private consulting firms.
Marine science is inherently interdisciplinary. Because the ocean plays a central role in physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes on earth, an understanding of the interactions between the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere are crucial.
Some examples of the current research directions of social concern in the Marine Sciences include: The role of the ocean in climate change; the ocean's role in climate phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, and their effect on modern marine ecosystems; the history of El Niño and other climatic/oceanographic events recorded in marine sediments and corals; coastal pollution and its affect on coastal marine ecosystems; and coastal erosion (natural and human-caused).
Requirements
Lower Division Required Courses
- Math 1A-B (4,4) or 16A-B (3,3) Calculus or Analytic Geometry & Calculus
- Physics 7A-B (4,4) or 8A-B (4,4) Physics for Scientists and Engineers or Intro to Physics
- Chem 1A (or Chem 4A) (or 3A) (4,4 or 5) General Chemistry or Chemical Structure and Reactivity
- Biology 1B (4) General Biology
- EPS 50 (4) The Planet Earth
- EPS C82 (2) Introduction to Oceans
Lower division required units = 32-35 units
Upper Division Required Courses
- EPS 102 (4) History and Evolution of Planet Earth
- EPS 150 (2) Case Studies in Earth Systems
- AND four (4) courses from the following:
- AND at least 4-6 units to be chosen from the following:
Upper division required units = 25-28 Units
Total units in Marine Science track: 60
Please note that any course of study in the major must be approved by a faculty advisor. This list is intended to be used as a guide, and may be subject to change.