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Students in the Marine Science major apply a wide range of technologies to studying marine ecosystems. Through applied learning and research, students gain the skills necessary to develop a sustainable balance between the unique environmental, recreational, cultural and economic opportunities in the Monterey Bay region.

Through lab and field experience, students apply techniques of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and presentation that provide them with the skills needed to monitor and analyze marine science problems. Students are encouraged to interact with other Monterey Bay institutions, such as the Moss Landing Marine Labs, to take advantage of additional local expertise in marine and coastal ecology.

Graduates of the Marine Science major are prepared for a variety of career pathways in the public and private sector. Graduates are also poised to continue their education via graduate studies and research in ecology, environmental science and related fields.

To learn more about the major, visit the School of Natural Sciences website.

Required Courses

In order to graduate, you will also need to complete your general education and university requirements.

Complete ALL of the following courses:

Complete ONE of the following Science Communication courses:

Complete ONE of the following Quantitative Research courses:

Complete ONE of the following Service Learning courses:

Complete ONE of the following Capstone Seminar courses:

Complete SIX of the following MARINE SCIENCE ELECTIVES not previously taken for at least 22 units:

Learning Outcomes

MLO 1: Quantitative Foundations

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

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.

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.

MLO 4: Geospatial Technology

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

MLO 5: Quantitative Research Methods

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

MLO 6: Service Learning

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

MLO 7: Advanced Marine Science

Students apply advanced knowledge and skills in marine science.

Course Pathways

These pathways are examples of how you might complete all the requirements for your degree in an order that makes sense given prerequisites. They are meant to give you a general sense of what your education will look like.

Your own unique situation and a number of other factors may mean your actual pathway is different. Perhaps you'll need an extra math or language class, or one of the courses we've listed isn't offered in a particular semester. Don't worry - there is flexibility built into the curriculum. You'll want to work closely with an advisor and use the academic advisement report to take all that into account and develop a pathway that's customized for you.

In the meantime, use this example as a starting point for choosing classes or discussing your plans with an advisor. Your advisor is your best resource when it comes to figuring out how to fit all the courses you need, in the right sequence, into your personal academic plan.

Marine Science Freshman Pathway

This pathway assumes that you enter CSUMB able to pass placement exams for CHEM 110: Chemistry I (4 units) and MATH 150: Calculus I (4 units), and are able to place into the second semester of foreign language.

Fall Freshman

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • E
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • B4
  • Major
Units: 5
Requirements:
  • B1
  • B3
  • Major
Course: Language 102
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C3

* This FYS class is just an example. The FYS class you choose might meet a different GE area, so you would have to adjust your actual pathway accordingly.

Spring Freshman

Units: 5
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Language 201
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Language Proficiency

Fall Sophomore

Spring Sophomore

Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D2

Fall Junior

Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C1
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: BIO 345: Marine Biology (4 units) (MSCI Elective #1)
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Any approved course
Units: 6
Requirements:
  • D1
  • D3

Spring Junior

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: BIO 340: Ecology (4 units) (MSCI Elective #2)
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:

Fall Senior

Course: MSCI Elective #3
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: MSCI Elective #4
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • C2
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • D4
  • Major

Spring Senior

Course: MSCI Elective #5
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 1
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: MSCI Elective #6 (400-level)
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Marine Science Transfer Pathway

Fall Junior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 2
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: MSCI Elective #1
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Junior

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: MSCI Elective #2
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Fall Senior

Course: MSCI Elective #3
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: MSCI Elective #4
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Senior

Course: MSCI Elective #5
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 1
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: MSCI Elective #6 (400-level)
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Any approved course
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D2