The College of Arts and Sciences offers interdisciplinary marine science double major programs (marine science/biology, marine science/chemistry, and marine science/geology) culminating in the bachelor of science (BS) degree. These double-major curricula give the student a focused exposure to include general education requirements, single disciplinary requirements, and the interdisciplinary courses that represent studies in the field of marine science. A minor in marine science is available to students whose major fields are biology, chemistry, or geology.

Marine Science/Biology Major (BS)

Department of Biological Sciences, 319 Biology Building
www.as.ua.edu/marinescience
marinescience@as.ua.edu

Degree requirements. Students earning the bachelor of science (BS) degree in marine science/biology must complete all University, college (see p. 50-52), and departmental degree requirements. These include the general education requirements, the following double major requirements, and sufficient other credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.

Admission into the major. Students are expected to formally declare both majors no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). With the assistance of an advisor in the major departments, students should complete the “Declaration of Major” forms.

Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in each major is required for completion of the degree. Both major GPAs are calculated based on all courses applicable to each major that the student has attempted at UA and all work applicable to each major that the student has attempted throughout the entire higher education career.

Major courses. The majors in marine science/biology require the successful completion of the following courses:

Courses	Hours
BSC 114:115 or BSC 118	4
BSC 116:117 or BSC 120	4
BSC 300	3
BSC 315	3
BSC 385	3
BSC 383 or BSC 450	3
BSC electives above 250*	12
CH 101 or CH 117	4
CH 102 or CH 118	4
GEO 101	4
GEO 102 or GEO 105	4
MS 304	4
MS 306	4
MS 321	2
MS 448	4
MS elective	2
PH 101 (or PH 105 or PH 125)	4
PH 102 (or PH 106 or PH 126)	4
Total	72

Upper-level residency. A minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in each major must be earned on this campus.

Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed in the major GPA. The major in marine science/biology requires the successful completion of the following courses outside the major:

Courses	Hours
CH 231	3
CH 232:237	5
MATH 125 or MATH 145	4
ST 260	3

Required minor. Marine science/biology does not require a minor.

Additional major requirements. Students are not permitted to count the same required major courses toward completion of a second major or minor. Students may count required ancillary courses for one major toward the requirements of another major. The biology department offers a number of courses designed to enrich the learning experience of students beyond the traditional classroom setting. These courses include BSC 391, BSC 396, BSC 398, BSC 403, and BSC 407. Beyond specific restrictions listed for each course, a total of 4 hours from this group may be applied to the requirements of the biology major or minor. An additional 4 hours may be applied as electives to the requirement for 120 hours for the degree. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, college, major, and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an advisor in the major department for academic planning and to be cleared for registration each semester.

Special opportunities. During the summer semester, a large suite of marine science courses is offered at the Dauphin Island campus of the Alabama Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.