Choosing the best marine biology courses is not too difficult a task for most students. Typically, the school being attended should provide guidance when it comes to selecting the courses that are needed in order to graduate. As a general rule, students should choose marine biology courses that pertain to their desired field of study. It is not essential that they take only courses that deal entirely with marine biology.
To obtain an ideal, well-rounded education, and to ultimately be a good candidate for marine biology jobs, undergraduate students should focus on obtaining a rather diverse education, so that they will be best prepared for future employment. In fact, it is not necessary for students to seek out a major in marine biology. Majoring in any biological science will provide students with the scientific background needed in order to compete for related jobs in the future.
In order to have the most competitive educational background, students should focus on taking a wide variety of basic courses in areas such as physics, biology, chemistry, math, and engineering. The reason many marine biology educators recommend that students strive for an undergraduate education that focuses heavily on a variety of scientific disciplines is because marine biology itself is such a diverse field. In this career, positions often require applicants to have experience in engineering, climatology, or hydrodynamics.
For the most part, educators believe that it is much easier for students to focus on marine biology courses in graduate school. Using this scholastic approach allows students to learn scientific basics as undergraduates. This better prepares them for studying advanced marine biology principles as graduates. It is important to note, however, that it is not always necessary to have a graduate degree to get a job as a marine biologist. Having an advanced degree does help, however, so anyone who is interested in this career path might want to consider continuing college beyond the initial four-year program.
Some of the most commonly recommended marine biology courses are principles of oceanography, biology of higher marine invertebrates, and animal behavior. Other popular courses include self-directed study, experimental biology labs, and marine resource management. Other commonly recommended courses may include the study of zooplankton ecology, benthic microbiology, and evolution in crustaceans. Many marine biology programs also offer courses that allow students to develop independent, large projects for one grade. These types of courses allow students a bit of freedom and creativity in expanding their study of marine biology.