Professional Master in Science in Marine Biology at Northeastern University

Announcements

Our application deadline is February 1st. Applications received after this deadline will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis.

MARINE BIOLOGY MS

Northeastern University
Marine Science Center
430 Nahant Road
Nahant, MA 01908
781.581.7370 x 311
threeseas@neu.edu

CURRICULUM

The Professional Masters in Marine Biology Program provides students with a practice-oriented education experience. Courses in each of the three segments of the program are based at marine field stations where there is seamless integration of lecture, lab, and field activities.

Students exit the program with not only an understanding of marine biology that is both extensive and rich in detail, but they are familiar with the marine flora and fauna in three different ecosystems, making them valuable to employers on either coast of the United States and in the tropics. Of equal importance is that students finish the program knowing how to do science rather than simply how to understand it.

The progressive and incremental structure of our curriculum allows student with only an intermediate exposure to the biological sciences to emerge from the program ready to plan and execute marine research, whether in graduate school, or in a career with government agencies or private consulting firms. Our curriculum follows, below:


Fall Semester
During the Fall semester at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant, students gain the strong foundation needed for subsequent portions of the program in the fundamental areas of marine biology, ecology, and experimental design. Students are exposed to the flora and fauna of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Maine. Courses include:
BIO G103 BIO G201/202 BIO G203/204 BIO G217/218 BIO G221/222 BIO G289	Marine Biology Careers Seminar Marine Botany Marine Invertebrate Zoology Oceanography Experimental Design in Marine Ecology Diving Research Methods	1 SH 5 SH 5 SH 3 SH 5 SH 2 SH

Winter Semester
The Winter semester at the Gump Marine Station in Moorea, French Polynesia features coursework in a coral reef ecosystem, which includes extensive time in the field for class research projects. Students also have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project. Courses include:
BIO G205 BIO G207 BIO G213 BIO G219	Biology of Corals & Coral Reefs Biology of Fishes Tropical Terrestrial Ecology Ocean & Coastal Processes	3 SH 3 SH 1 SH 3 SH

Spring Semester
The Spring semester at the University of Southern California’s Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island completes the first year with field-intensive coursework that exploits the pristine rocky intertidal habitats, spectacular kelp forests, and blue-water ocean settings found near the station. Once again, students have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project. Courses include:
BIO G209/210 BIO G227 BIO G229	Marine Birds and Mammals Marine Conservation Biology Physiological and Molecular Marine Ecology	3 SH 3 SH 3 SH

Summer Semester
Students spend the Summer semester in their internship position. However they retain full-time student status, and will be registered in the following courses: Courses include:
BIO G507 COP G650	Marine Biology Graduate Internship Tutorial Marine Biology Graduate Internship	1 SH 0 SH*

Fall Semester, Second Year
Students continue their internship in the Fall semester of the second year, and they continue to retain full-time student status. Students will return to the Marine Science Center late in the fall to present their independent research and meet with first year students, and attend exit interviews: Courses include:
BIO G507 COP G650 BIO G674	Marine Biology Graduate Internship Tutorial Marine Biology Graduate Internship Marine Biology Research Project	1 SH 0 SH* 4 SH

* preserves full-time status