SeattleBulldog

University of Washington has an amazing marine bio program. The department overlooks Puget Sound

exultationsy

William and Mary, although they focus on the Chesapeake--it's important and delicate, but I never found it as compelling as many other areas of focus.

midwestdad55

Warblersrule:

First, thank you because you have started to help me with my son. We are all conflicted. My son definetly wants to be in a broader marine science program and not marine biology for his undergrad (good decision, I would say).

Eckerd is really more into Marine Biology.

Financially speaking, we can afford UAlabama and Jacksonville University (because of scholarships). JU has a Marine Science Research Institute (St. Johns River keeper) and UAlabama has Dauphin Island summer session. JU is a Marine Science program and UAlabama is a Geology/Marine Science program. I don't know anything more about them. If anyone can throw more light, that would be great. We are going to explore UMiami (It is expensive though and a lot depends on what we get financially), we are also going to explore BU (again, we will need financial help there). Duke is also out there but that is a long shot (if at all). I know once my son is in a decent undergrad program, he can do well enough to join a great Masters program anywhere. For whatever reason, Univ of South Carolina has not clicked (and we have no clue why. Everything matched well and it almost looks like they missed looking at his credentials)

I know about Univ of Washington but they are not affordable unless you are from there. So, based on the fact that my son needs a broad-based Marine Science undergrad program, any suggestions would be appreciated. He is willing to work hard. All the schools people mentioned here are candidates for the Master program.

jetsfan289

coastal carolinas known for that.

warblersrule

Maybe. Maybe not. I understand the appeal of jumping into relevant coursework, but I really can't emphasize enough the importance of getting a broad grounding in all sciences and developing a firm grasp of one discipline in particular. I think marine science is perfectly legitimate as a track/concentration within a traditional science major or as a second major, but on its own, I am not convinced it is a good option.

Despite Jacksonville calling its program marine science, a quick glance at its faculty list and course offerings indicates a heavy emphasis on marine biology. I find its lack of a geology department very troubling and would not seriously consider it as an option.

Alabama has a more balanced program and a good geology department; it has also put forth a lot of effort recruiting top students and constructing new facilities. It would definitely be my pick.

Duke is where I did my undergrad. I wrote a summary of the EOS program elsewhere and would be more than happy to talk about that program, marine biology at Duke, or the marine lab via PM.

What type of terminal degree he'll need depends on his interests. You can find a job with a MEM in coastal/ocean management or a MS in marine affairs/policy, but that's a very different type of job than many marine scientists are looking for. A PhD is necessary for most field/research positions. The good news is that the job outlook for chemical/physical/geological oceanography is a lot better than it is for biological.

To be honest, if finances are a concern, your in-state public flagship may well be the best option. Most are large enough to offer courses touching on marine science, and there are plenty of ways to get involved in ocean or coastal research during the summer.

Of the PhD students I've met, I'd say at least half had little/no serious coursework in marine science prior to grad school, so don't fret that it's necessary for grad school admission. Heck, some came from fields like engineering, math, meteorology, and (believe it or not) public health.

LakeWashington

Agree with Warbler's post. There are stronger programs that what Jacksonsville offers. In addition to the programs already mentioned, since you spoke of universities in the South, I'd include U of South Carolina-Columbia because overall the school has had a reputation for providing generous aid to non-resident undergraduate applicants. Another school slightly below the radar but has excellent science departments is UAlabama at Birmingham. Be mindful that UAB marine course work is also largely centered at summer session at Dauphin Island. UAB tuition is relatively low. Finally, Warbler's suggestion bears repeating; a bachelor's degree in Marine Science, Marine biology etc. essentially provides no substantive advantage when apply to graduate school, and is no value at all for all but the most entry level and rudimentary jobs in the field (including research positions). Just complete a strong background in the basic undergraduate sciences (including Geology) and you'll be well prepared for graduate study in the marine sciences.

midwestdad55

Just visited Jacksonville and the school does have a good professor who is introducing several geology programs within the Marine Science Department. Their website is not reflecting that well. I am not saying that is where we will go but it definitely is a lot better than what I thought. Nice upcoming program with lot of research opportunities for undergrads. They are bringing in several geology and oceanography courses over the next couple of years. We plan to check out USC, Ualabama next.

LakeWashington

And don't confuse UAlabama at Birmingham (UAB) with the flagship UAlabama-Tuscaloosa (the football power). Separate and distinct institutions. The marine [Dauphin Island] program is at UAB.

midwestdad55

LakeWashington:

Yes, we are going toUniv of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, we cannot see Dauphin island but, I hope, we get enough information from the department. Scholarships are also at play and that makes the decision that much harder. Many like to come out of Bachelors with no debt because in Marine Science, you have to do your Masters later and that is when one has to shoot BIG. This is going to be tricky for my son.

He wanted to go to Washington as well but Univ of Washington is rough for undergrads (unless you are independently wealthy). He will look at Washington for Masters. UMiami, Duke, USC are also in the radar for Masters. Bachelors is tricky. Get good education, research, be involved is the goal.

LakeWashington

Yes, the undergraduate education at Dauphin Island is essentially a consortium, so one could enroll in the marine coursework there and have it applied to your home university. UA Tuscaloosa is known for generous scholarships for non-Alabama residents.

Also, as for finances for graduate work, many graduate departments provide grants for their best students. This is certainly true at the powers of marine sciences; Washington, Oregon State, UC San Diego/Scripps, Rhode Island, MIT-Woods Hole.

midwestdad55

Hello:

We have completed all our visits.

My S got some grants and some scholarships but no slam dunks. So, now we have to make a choice between UAlabama, UMiami and Univ of SC. I think the choice is between UMiami and Uviv of SC because of the best balance. It is all a tough choice. We have also visited JU (which contrary to what we thought was not bad at all, they need to update their website). We could go to BU but man, it is pricey without appropriate grants/scholarships.

LakeWashington

Follow your preferences but be sure to give a close look to U of South Carolina-Columbia. Many members of the Marine Sciences faculty at USC got their Ph.Ds from places like Oregon State, UWashington and other schools well regarded in the discipline. I don't remember if USC offers a B.S. in Marine Science, but of course there is undergraduate Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Geology, Chemistry, Environmental Science etc.

midwestdad55

Univ of SC does offer BS Marine Science, It is Univ of NC that does not.

midwestdad55

Warblersrule and LakeWashington:

What a topsy turvy month!! We ended up with two choices - Umiami and Univ of SC. We got decent scholarship but not the best. Ultimately, we found that any outside scholarships would not help us in UMiami because that would eat up the need-based grant at UMiami. It was nice of UMiami to offer gtants but with a reasonable outside scholarship, we felt it won't help us to cut our expenses in UMiami. SC seemed to have a very good program (I know SC is rated only #111 but UMiami, as a school, is rated #38). But, we just could not help notice that USC is top-noth. Don't know if we are missing anything but we just did not see why USC is only #111. All things considered, USC for a dual major in Marine Science and Geology is the choice. Thanks for all suggestions. I think we made a good decision considering all parameters. He can always go to UMiami or Washington for Masters. UMiami definitely gave more weight to a point differential in ACT scores than to Marine Science projects a high schooler did, I thought. I guess that happens although I thought schools look deeper. I guess with so many kids applying, it would be very hard..

Longsx3

Interesting that you went with USC, D'13 is considering the same schools but is close to eliminating USC because their marine classes only take field trips to the Atlantic vs being taught on the water like UA at Dauphin.