Major Requirements

Credits Required: 

120 units

You may declare Marine Science as your major at any time in your CSUMB career, although we recommend that you declare as early as possible so that you can begin lower-division prerequisite courses.

The Marine Science B.S. degree requirements include eight Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) that describe the knowledge, skills and abilities you must demonstrate prior to graduation. To demonstrate the required level of competency, you must earn a grade of C or higher in each required course. No formal concentrations are offered because we want to provide students with flexibility to select marine science classes that align with their educational and career goals. Students are encouraged to work with a faculty mentor to select the combination of courses that provide the best preparation for their professional goals after graduation. To see which prerequisites are needed for a particular course, please consult the course descriptions.

Major Requirements and Learning Outcomes are identified below. In order to graduate, students must also meet all general education and university requirements. 

MLO 1: Quantitative Foundations

Students apply the fundamental mathematical and statistical constructs used to communicate quantitative information.

Required Courses

MLO 2: Science and Policy Foundations

Students apply the nomenclature, concepts and methodology of chemistry, biology, physics, earth science and economics to understand, describe and predict marine science processes.

Required Courses

  • All of the following:
  • MSCI 271: The Oceans (2 units)
  • ENVS 272: The Atmosphere (2 units)
  • CHEM 110/L: Chemistry I (5 units)
  • CHEM 111/L: Chemistry II (5 units)
  • BIO 240/L: Ecology,Evol, Biodiversity (4 units)
  • BIO 241/L: Cellular & Molecular Biology (4 units)
  • ENSTU 283: Politics & the Environment (2 units)
  • ENVS 284: Envi Econ & Management (2 units)
  • One of the following Physics courses:
  • PHYS 150: Physics for Biologists (4 units)
  • PHYS 220: Physics I (4 units)
  • And one of the following, depending upon career goals:
  • MATH 151: Calculus II (4 units)
  • GEOL 260: Geology/Hydrology (4 units)
  • BIO 242/L: Plant & Animal Form & Function (4 units)

MLO 3: Marine Science Communication

Students analyze and synthesize information from a multi-stakeholder perspective to develop alternative scenarios for marine science problems, and communicate their recommendations in oral and written formats.

Required Courses

  • MSCI 300: Marine Sci, Comm, & Policy (4 units)
  • OR
  • ENVS 300: Crit Thkg & Comm in Env Sci (4 units)

MLO 4: Geospatial Technology

Students demonstrate proficiency with current technologies for acquiring, analyzing and displaying spatial data relevant to marine geospatial planning.

Required Course

MLO 5: Quantitative Research Methods

Students use the scientific method and statistical analyses in the design, execution and interpretation of marine science investigations.

Required Courses

  • One of the following:
  • ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methds (4 units)
  • ENVS 355: Environmental Monitoring (4 units)
  • MSCI 433: Seafloor Mapping (4 units)

MLO 6: Service Learning

Students combine disciplinary knowledge and community experiences in the context of social responsibility, justice, diversity and compassion.

Required Courses

  • One of the following:
  • ENSTU 349S: Environmental Interpretation (4 to 5 units)
  • ENSTU 369S: Com-Based Wshed Restor SL (5 units)
  • ENSTU 384S: Social and Ecol Justice (2 units)
  • BIO 379S: Biology Education Serv Learn (5 units)
  • MATH 361S: Mathematics Tutors (5 units)

MLO 7: Advanced Marine Science

Students apply advanced knowledge and skills in marine science.

Required Courses

  • At least 24 credits, including one of the following capstone seminar options; ENVS 410 must be taken concurrently with an approved 400-level BIO or MSCI "*Capstone Project"* course. The course used for MLO 5 may NOT double-count
  • ENVS 410: Capstone Integration Seminar (1 unit)
  • OR
  • ENVS 402: Honors Capstone Seminar II (3 units)
  • Additional 21 to 23 credits of ADVANCED MARINE SCIENCE courses (depending on capstone seminar option selected above) selected from the list below and not previously counted towards the degree:
  • BIO 330: Comparative Physiology (3 units)
  • BIO 340: Ecology (4 units)
  • BIO 345: Marine Biology (4 units)
  • BIO 360: Vertebrate Natural History (4 units)
  • BIO 420: Marine Invertebrate Zoology (4 units)
  • BIO 430: Marine Exprmntl Physiology (4 units)
  • BIO 448: Aquatic Ecology (4 units)
  • MSCI 380: Scientific Diving Techniques (4 units)
  • MSCI 455: Marine Fish Ecology (4 units)
  • MSCI 433: Seafloor Mapping (4 units)
  • MSCI 470: Sci Pol & Mgmt in Marine Env (4 units)
  • ENVS 350: Quantitative Field Methds (4 units)
  • ENVS 436: Rmt Sns/Image Process (4 units)
  • ENVS 440: Environmental Modeling (4 units)
  • ENVS 442: Vernal Pools of Ft Ord (4 units)
  • OR
  • Other 300-level or above MSCI, BIO, ENVS, CHEM, PHYS, GEOL or MLML course approved by advisor.
  • NOTE: BIO 430, MSCI 433, MSCI 455 and MSCI 470 are approved "capstone project" courses that may be taken concurrently with ENVS 410 to meet the capstone requirement.

Concentrations