Biology Program:
Marine Biology Option

The Biology Program has transcript visible options where students take 21 credits of coursework that allow them to concentrate in particular areas. Students interested in marine biology may choose to pursue the Marine Biology Option. The highlight of this program is Marine Biology (BI450/451), a 16-credit intensive lecture and field course taken in residence at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The marine option is restricted to students majoring in Biology, but all qualified students may apply to take BI 450/451 Marine Biology.

Students working toward the Marine Biology Option have excellent advising to help them meet their academic and career goals, and the Biology Program prides itself on getting students involved in a variety of experiences as undergraduates. Marine Biology students can take advantage of the abundant research and internship opportunities on campus with organizations like PISCO and OSU faculty, as well as facilities off campus such as the Hatfield Marine Science Center and many others.

Many students choose to include an international experience as part of their undergraduate studies in marine biology, and the Biology Program has more students study abroad each year than any other unit on campus. Some examples of international opportunities for students interested in marine biology include:

• University of Auckland, New Zealand which offers excellent marine and environmental science courses, or
• University of Wales, Bangor which features the finest undergraduate marine laboratory in Europe.
• Smithsonian Tropical Research Institutes, Panama where students can choose to do an IE₃ International Internship conducting marine biology research.