Marine Science, B.S.
Empowering tomorrow’s marine scientists with unparalleled training to preserve and promote healthy ocean habitats.
Encompassing focal areas ranging from marine ecology and biology to oceanography and geology, the Marine Science program will prepare you to embark on a vibrant, active career promoting and preserving the ocean habitats that are vital to virtually every aspect of human life.
Public University Price, Private University Experience
A Lifetime of Value
Marine Science, B.S.
As a program in Marine Science – and not Marine Biology like at other institutions – you’ll engage in a distinctive array of hands-on learning intentionally designed to heighten your skills in marine ecology, biology, oceanography, and geology.
Educational Objectives
Our close proximity to the Monterey Bay’s living laboratory will position you to utilize our vibrant natural environment for active learning in weekly class meetings, capstone research, and extramurally-funded research, among many other opportunities.
Our abundance of scientific hands-on learning experiences will take you into, on, and next to the ocean on a weekly basis, including sandy beaches, rocky intertidal zones, salt marshes, subtidal rocky reefs, and subtidal kelp forests.
Our Comprehensive Research SCUBA Diving Program is the largest university program of its kind in the country and will offer you unparalleled scientific opportunities for diving certification, academic activities, research, and skills training activities and operations.
Our extensive extracurricular research opportunities will provide you with advanced knowledge and training in areas like environmental physiology, video analysis and fish ecology, predator ecology, coastal ecology, and biological oceanography, among others.
Complete all of the following Marine Science Core courses with a grade of C- or above:
- MATH 150 - Calculus I Units: 4
- CHEM 110 - Chemistry I Units: 4
- CHEM 110L - Chemistry I Lab Units: 1
- CHEM 111 - Chemistry II Units: 4
- CHEM 111L - Chemistry II Lab Units: 1
- MSCI 270 - Introduction to Oceanography Units: 3
- BIO 210 - Molecular and Cell Biology and Animal Physiology Units: 4
- BIO 210L - Molecular and Cell Biology and Animal Physiology Lab Units: 1
- BIO 211 - Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity and Plants Units: 4
- BIO 211L - Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity and Plants Lab Units: 1
- STAT 250 - Applied Stat:Sci Tech Units: 4
- MSCI 340 - Marine Ecology Units: 5
Complete one of the following Marine Science Core courses with a grade of C- or above:
- PHYS 150 - Physics for Biologists Units: 4
- PHYS 220 - Physics I Units: 4
Complete all of the following courses:
- ENVS 332 - Intro to GIS/GPS Units: 4
- MSCI 350 - Quantitative Marine Science Units: 4
- MSCI 370 - Biological-Physical Oceanography Units: 4
- MSCI 345 - Marine Biodiversity and Functional Morphology Units: 3
Complete one of the following economics courses:
- ENSTU 280 - Environmental Economics and Policy Units: 3
- BUS 201 - Macro Economics Units: 3
- BUS 202 - Micro Economics Units: 3
Complete one of the following Upper-Division Service Learning course/course combinations:
- MSCI 359S - Marine Science Service Learning Units: 3
- ENSTU 349S - Environmental Interpretation and Outreach Units: 5
- BIO 379S - Biology Service Learning Units: 3
- ENSTU 369S - Com-Based Watershed Restor SL Units: 5
- ENSTU 384S - Social and Ecological Justice Service Learning Units: 2 and
- ENSTU 384 - Social & Ecological Justice Units: 3
Complete one of the following Capstone course combinations:
- MSCI 430 - Marine Experimental Physiology Units: 4 and
- MSCI 410 - Marine Science Group Capstone Units: 1
- MSCI 437 - Ocean Instrumentation Projects Units: 4 and
- MSCI 410 - Marine Science Group Capstone Units: 1
- MSCI 445 - Projects in Marine Ecology Units: 4 and
- MSCI 410 - Marine Science Group Capstone Units: 1
- MSCI 455 - Marine Fish Ecology Units: 4 and
- MSCI 410 - Marine Science Group Capstone Units: 1
- MSCI 470 - Science Policy and Management in the Marine Environment Units: 4 and
- MSCI 410 - Marine Science Group Capstone Units: 1
- MSCI 485 - Marine Biogeography of California Units: 4 and
- MSCI 410 - Marine Science Group Capstone Units: 1
- MSCI 490 - Marine Science Honors Capstone Units: 1 and
- MSCI 497 - Independent Research Units: 1-2 at least (3) units
- MSCI 490 - Marine Science Honors Capstone Units: 1 and
- MSCI 394 - Marine Science Internship Units: 1-2 at least (3) units
As the only CSU campus adjacent to an extraordinary living ocean laboratory, you’ll engage in learning opportunities here that you simply won’t find at other schools. These environments include the rocky intertidal zone ranging from Monterey to southern Carmel Bay, sandy beaches from Marina through Carmel Bay, salt marshes and estuarine habitats in the Elkhorn Slough, subtidal rocky reefs and kelp forests, and open ocean habitats throughout the Bay.
Additionally, courses in the program will enable you to engage in research activities in habitats across the state, from Monterey to La Jolla.
Faculty & Staff
Our faculty are dedicated to mentoring, advising, and actively supporting students in their course work and extracurricular research activities throughout their experience in the program. Many of our graduates stay in touch with faculty beyond graduation and well into their professional careers.
James Lindholm
Department Chair
James Lindholm
Special Consultant
Ashley Clark
Administrative Support Coordinator
The nearly $40 million building is being named after the late Edward “Ted” Taylor.
The show focuses on the university's marine science and shark tagging programs.
Annie Hansen says she found her community and research opportunties at Cal State Monterey Bay.
Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have about the Marine Science program.
Our experienced and supportive admissions staff is here to provide all the individualized guidance you need.