WHAT YOU’LL STUDY

The marine studies minor is an exciting opportunity for students who want to learn more about ocean life. Nineteen hours are required for the minor.

You’ll take courses at PC and at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to fulfill the requirements for the minor.

Two required courses, which account for five hours of credit each, include Marine Science I: Oceanography and Marine Science II: Marine Biology. Both of these courses are offered at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

You’ll then customize your minor by selecting nine hours of courses. You can select Invertebrate Zoology, a four-hour course at PC.

You can also choose from a number of courses at the research laboratory that focus on various topics in marine life. Your options include:

  • Barrier Island Ecology
  • Coastal Herpetology
  • Coastal Ornithology
  • Environmental Photography
  • Ichthyology
  • Marine Aquaculture
  • Marine Biology for Teachers
  • Marine Ecology
  • Marine Embryology
  • Marine Invertebrates
  • Marine Mammals
  • Marine Toxicology
  • Parasites of Marine Animals
  • Shark Biology
  • Zooplankton Ecology

You’ll have other options for customizing your minor, but you’ll need to speak with your advisor to do so. These options include:

  • Taking approved courses at the Duke University Marine Laboratory
  • Taking approved transfer courses at PC-affiliate institutions
  • Taking Marine-related Maymester courses
  • Conducting research at a specific independent laboratory
  • Studying at Belle Baruch Marine Lab/Hobcaw Barony in Georgetown, S.C.
  • Conducting research at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

You’ll need to make at least a “C” in each course to earn a minor in marine studies, although you might be allowed to make one “D.” The Department of Biology may specify certain courses that you’ll need to make at least a “C” in, and you’ll need to make an overall average of “C” or better on all work presented for the minor.

You must take at least half of the hours required for the minor at PC. The Provost must approve any substitutions to the requirements of the marine studies minor prior to completion of the amended requirement.

Speak with your advisor or the chair of the biology department about minimum grades allowed and any additional requirements for the marine studies minor.

MORE INFORMATION

  • CO = Co-requisite
  • CO = Co-requisite
  • POI = Permissions of Instructor
  • PR = Pre-requisite
  • RE = Recommended
  • XL = Cross-listed

FACULTY

Dr. Jim Wetzel

Pulaski L. Bealy Smith Professor of Biology

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