Marine Sciences | CALS

The university promotes an integrated approach to marine science education and research to prepare students for a variety of rewarding academic and professional careers. This major, offered cooperatively with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, allows students to tailor a curriculum that suits their interests and career goals.

The curriculum provides students with the core scientific and quantitative skills necessary for success. Lower-division courses build a strong foundation in basic sciences and math while upper-division courses provide opportunity for specialization. Students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) complete an upper-division core that concentrates on biological and ecological marine science essentials while also giving students a critical understanding of how statistics and economics are integrated into marine science and resource management.

Students work closely with a faculty advisor to create an individualized curriculum plan of at least 18 approved elective credits and 15-16 hours of planned credits. These can include courses on resource management, human dimensions, conservation, quantitative population assessment and others. Students must complete their plans along with the approval of a faculty advisor before reaching 70 credits.

Coursework for the Major

The major requires 120 credits and at least 30 credits of upper-division coursework in the major must be completed at UF.

Required Coursework

This major provides integrative understanding of the basic concepts, theories and observational findings related to marine materials and processes, geologic time, the diversity of marine life, the structure and function of marine organisms and ecosystems and marine resource management.

The marine sciences major is administered jointly by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and utilizes faculty, courses and resources of the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program (CALS), the Department of Geological Sciences (CLAS), the Department of Biology (CLAS), and the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering (Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering).

Before Graduating Students Must

• Achieve a passing score on the subject test. The content of the examination has been reviewed and approved by the Marine Sciences Committee.
• Achieve a passing score on the analytical skills test. The content of the examination has been reviewed and approved by the Marine Sciences Committee.
• Achieve a passing score on the bioethics quiz. The content of the examination has been reviewed and approved by the Marine Sciences Committee.
• Achieve a passing score on the scientific literacy paper. This paper is assessed using a rubric that has been reviewed and approved by the Marine Sciences Committee.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Demonstrate competence in the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories used within the marine sciences.

Critical Thinking

1. Analyze information in the marine sciences and develop reasoned solutions to problems using the processes and applications of scientific inquiry.
2. Discriminate ethical behavior from unethical behavior in scientific research.

Communication

1. Communicate knowledge, ideas and reasoning clearly, effectively and objectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the marine sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Marine sciences subject and analytical skills tests
• Bioethics quiz
• Scientific paper

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

• Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
• Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

• Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
• Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

• A copy of your transcript for any school you have attended with the grades you have earned
• A list of your high school activities including jobs, clubs, sports, community service, etc.
• Information about your parent(s) or guardian(s), such as educational background, occupation and employer information

Add UF as a university to receive your application and review our specific application requirements.

Fill in your profile information. Your profile is where you'll enter information that will be sent to all schools to which you apply. The University of Florida requires the following sections:

• Information about who you are and how to contact you, your address, citizenship, high school and family information
• Current-year coursework
• Honors and distinctions
• Activities and experiences

Complete the UF Supplement. This includes a few additional short-answer questions so that we can learn more about you when reviewing your application.

Complete the essay questions. The essay helps our admissions staff get to know you better. Use this space to tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn elsewhere in your application. And remember, the best essay topic for you is going to be the one that you are most excited to write about.

Once you have submitted your application, a link will appear on your status page to create your Student Self-Reported Academic Record (SSAR). List your high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. You must complete the SSAR by December 1 for your application to be complete. If you begin the SSAR separately before submitting your UF application, be sure to link it to your application once your application has been submitted.

Submit your test scores to UF no later than December 15. You may either self-report your SAT and/or ACT scores through your application status page or send official scores from the testing agency. Since accuracy is critical, students who choose to self-report should have a copy of their SAT/ACT score report(s) available to reference when submitting their scores. Because UF superscores both the SAT and ACT, we encourage you to submit scores for all SAT or ACT tests you have taken. If admitted, students who have self-reported their scores in the admissions process will be required to submit official scores from the testing agency to UF by May 1. UF Institutional Codes:

You may request to begin your studies in either the Summer B or Fall term. The term requested DOES NOT affect the consideration of your application. If you are admitted, we will try to offer you the term you requested, but space limitations may mean you receive an offer for a different term.

When you submit your application, pay the $30 nonrefundable fee by credit card unless you qualify for a fee waiver. In both the Common and Coalition applications, you can indicate in the profile section if you qualify for a fee waiver.

You will receive an email 24-48 hours after submitting your application with instructions to create your MyAdmissions application status credentials. Once completed, you can log in to the MyAdmissions app status portal to keep track of your application status and the materials that UF has received. This is also where you will find the link to create your SSAR.