Marine Sciences Major Requirements
The Marine Sciences major prepares students for meaningful and productive post-baccalaureate employment and/or admission to high-quality graduate programs. Although administered by GEMS, this interdisciplinary program is overseen by the Marine Sciences Steering Committee, whose members are Dr. Jonathan Husch (GEMS Chair), Dr. Kelly Bidle (Biology), Dr. Paul Jivoff (Biology), Dr. Reed Schwimmer (GEMS), and Dr. Gabriela Smalley (GEMS). The program investigates and emphasizes the multiple feedback interactions among unicellular to vertebrate marine organisms, the physiochemistry of the water in which they live, and the substrates in or on which they dwell.
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| BIO-115 | Principles of Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Biology of Animals |
4 | |
| BIO-272 | Introduction to Marine Biology |
3 | |
| BIO-272L | Marine Biology Lab |
1 | |
Geosciences and Environmental Sciences (8 Credits) | |||
| ENV-200 | Statistical and Computer Applications in the Natural Sciences |
4 | |
| GEO-306 | Sedimentology |
4 | |
Marine Sciences (22 Credits) Only one Introduction to Field Marine Science (MAR-227-229) course is allowed: | |||
| MAR-120 | Oceanography |
3 | |
| MAR-121 | Introductory Oceanography Lab |
1 | |
| MAR-227-229 | Introduction to Field Marine Science course1 |
4 | |
| MAR-330 | Chemical Oceanography |
4 | |
| MAR-340 | Marine Processes and Environments: Seminar |
3 | |
| MAR-401 | Marine Ecology |
4 | |
| MAR-410 | Physical Oceanography |
3 | |
Chemistry (8 Credits) | |||
| CHE-120 | Principles of Chemistry |
3 | |
| CHE-121 | Principles of Chemistry Lab |
1 | |
| CHE-122 | Introduction to Chemical Systems |
3 | |
| CHE-123 | Quantitative Methods Lab |
1 | |
Physics (8 Credits) Take either PHY-100, 100L, 101, and 101L; or PHY-200, 200L, 201, and 201L: | |||
| PHY-100 or 200 | Principles of Physics I or General Physics I |
3 or 4 | |
| PHY-100L | Principles of Physics I Lab |
1 | |
| PHY-101 or 201 | Principles of Physics II or General Physics II |
3 or 4 | |
| PHY-101L | Principles of Physics II Lab |
1 | |
Mathematics (4 Credits)2 One course from the following: | |||
| MTH-105 | Algebra and Trigonometry |
4 | |
| MTH-210 | Calculus I |
4 | |
| MTH-211 | Calculus II |
4 | |
| MTH-212 | Calculus III |
4 | |
Electives (6-8 Credits) Two courses from the following; both MAR-227-229 (one not already taken above) and MAR-429 cannot be selected: | |||
| BIO-265 | Genetics |
4 | |
| BIO-350 | General Ecology |
4 | |
| BIO-372 | Behavior of Marine Organisms: An Evolutionary Approach |
4 | |
| CHE-211+213 | Organic Chemistry I and Lab |
4 | |
| ENV-375 | Environmental Biogeochemistry |
3 | |
| MAR-210 | Marine Life Through Time |
4 | |
| MAR-227-229 |
Field Marine Science course1 (one not already taken above) |
4 | |
| MAR-325 | Marine Vertebrates: Fish to Mammals |
4 | |
| MAR-360 | Plankton Ecology |
4 | |
| MAR-429 | Advanced Field Marine Studies |
3 | |
| MAR-480 | Senior Thesis3 |
3 | |
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 64-66
(In addition to CLAES core requirements)Completion of the OSHA HAZWOPER Training Course, LIB-300, is recommended for those students planning on employment within the environmental industry. This 40-hour, three-credit course, sponsored by the Rider University College of Continuing Studies, is approved by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and fulfills the requirements for the OSHA Hazardous Materials Technician, Level A and the 29 CFR 1910.20 regulations. Students who complete the course are fully certified to handle hazardous materials and waste products. Because OSHA certification normally is required for job positions in the environmental industry, OSHA-certified students are more competitive for summer, part-time, and full-time employment opportunities.
A minor in biology, chemistry, or environmental geology is strongly recommended.
1Introduction to Field Marine Science courses are taught on a rotating basis during the Summer I or Summer II terms and include:
- Subtropical Environments (MAR-227) taught at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Bermuda
- Boreal Environments (MAR-228) taught at The Shoals Marine Laboratory, Gulf of Maine
- Tropical Environments (MAR-229) taught at the Institute of Marine Sciences, Roatan, Honduras
2Graduate schools usually require at least one semester of calculus.
3Required for honors in marine sciences.
HONORS PROGRAM IN MARINE SCIENCES
Graduation with Honors in Marine Sciences is awarded in recognition of majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in the program is by invitation of the GEMS faculty. Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses required for the major and the satisfactory completion of a senior thesis. In addition, an honors candidates must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0.
Please see the Academic Catalogs for more information, including course descriptions.
Disclaimer: This information is taken from a recent published version of a Rider University academic catalog or manual, though not necessarily the most recent. Please be aware that, while the University makes reasonable efforts to keep website material current and correct, this information is subject to the University's academic policy committees, relevant accreditation organizations, and (in some instances) state and federal laws and regulations. For this and other reasons it may be subject to change at any time without notice and without being immediately reflected on the Web site.
