Undergraduate Catalog 2015-2016
Majors
Marine Biology (MRN)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
8 Semester Plan120 Credit Hours
CIP Code: 26.0101 (Track 1 of 2)
College of Arts & Sciences
http://biology.usf.edu/ib/ug/bs/
Major Description
Students majoring in Marine Biology study life in the oceans. The program of study explores the unique marine environment and the nature of the organisms that inhabit the oceans. The objective of the program is to provide students with a firm foundation in basic biology and the tools necessary to function as professional biologists, with special emphasis on marine ecosystems. The program will prepare students for further education (e.g., ecology, environmental science, biological oceanography, evolutionary biology) or for careers in fields such as aquaculture, aquarium biology and education, conservation biology and education, environmental consulting, and wildlife biology.
College Level Requirements
You must click here to view the general college level requirements for this major.
State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites
Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade.
- BSC X010/X010L Biology I with Lab or BSC X010C or BSC X040/X040L
- BSC X011/X011L Biology II with Lab or BSC X011C or BSC X041/X041L or ZOO X010/X010L or BOT X010/X010L or BOT X013/X013L
- CHM X045/X045L General Chemistry I with Lab or CHM X045C or CHM X040 and CHM X041
- CHM X046/X046L General Chemistry II with Lab or CHM X046C
- CHM X210/X210L Organic Chemistry I with Lab and CHM X211/X211L or (CHM X210C and CHM X211C) or (PHY X053/X053L and PHY X054/X054L) or (PHY X048/X048L and PHY X049/X049L)
- MAC X311 Calculus I or MAC X233 or MAC X253 or MAC X281 or MAC X241
- MAC X312 Calculus II or MAC X282 or MAC X234 or STA X023 or STA X024 or STA X321
Total Major Hours: 72-76 Hours
Major Core Courses - 26-27 Hours
Required Courses (26-27 credit hours)
- BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L Cellular Processes and Laboratory
- BSC 2011 and BSC 2011L Biodiversity and Laboratory
- PCB 3043 and PCB 3043L Principles of Ecology and Laboratory
- PCB 3063 and PCB 3063L General Genetics and Laboratory
- BSC 3312 Marine Biology
- BSC 4937 Seminar in Marine Biology
- Choose one of:
*Selected topics as approved for the major by the Department of Integrative Biology
Major Elective Courses - 46-49 Hours
Elective Courses (14-15 credit hours):
- BCH 3023 Introductory Biochemistry
- BCH 3023L Basic Biochemistry Laboratory
- BOT 3373C Vascular Plants: Form and Function
- BOT 4184C Biology of Coastal Plants
- BSC 4313C Advanced Marine Biology
- BSC 4933 Special Topics in Biology
- GIS 5049 GIS for Non-Majors
- GLY 4734 Beaches and Coastal Environments
- OCB 6050 Biological Oceanography
- OCC 6050 Chemical Oceanography
- OCE 4930 Selected Topics in Marine Science
- OCE 6934 Selected Topics in Oceanography
- OCG 6051 Geological Oceanography
- OCP 6050 Physical Oceanography
- PCB 3712 General Physiology and PCB 3713L General Physiology Laboratory
- PCB 4674 Organic Evolution
- PCB 4723 Animal Physiology and PCB 4723L Animal Physiology Laboratory
- MCB 3020 General Microbiology
- MCB 3020L General Microbiology Laboratory
- MCB 4404 Microbial Physiology and Genetics and MCB 4404L Microbial Physiology & Genetics Laboratory
- MCB 5655 Applied and Environmental Microbiology
- ZOO 2303 Vertebrate Zoology
- ZOO 3205C Advanced Invertebrate Zoology
- ZOO 4454 Fish Biology
- ZOO 4513 Animal Behavior
- ZOO 5555C Marine Animal Ecology
Supporting Courses in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 32-34 credit hours
Students must receive a C- or better to meet requirements for degree (for progression in Math and CHM, a C is required)
- CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L General Chemistry I and Laboratory
- CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L General Chemistry II and Laboratory
- CHM 2210 and CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
- CHM 2211 and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
- Calculus I: MAC 2241 or MAC 2311 or MAC 2281
- Statistics or Calculus II: STA 2023 or MAC 2242 or MAC 2312 or MAC 2282
- One of the Physics Sequences:
Optional Accelerated Program
B.S./M.A.T. Marine Biology/Science Education
This program intends for students to complete a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology (College of Arts and Sciences) and an M.A.T. in Secondary Science (College of Education) over the span of five years. Students completing this program will be eligible for high school and/or middle school science teacher certification. Completion of this program requires students to complete 12 credits toward the M.A.T. in Science Education during the senior year of their undergraduate Marine Biology major.
Target students and expected outcomes
The accelerated B.S. in Marine Biology to M.A.T. in Science Education program is a collaborative effort between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education. This program is an attractive and viable career path for students in the Department of Integrative Biology degree programs that results in secondary science teacher certification. Students who complete this program receive the necessary science content and pedagogy coursework to be highly qualified biology teachers at the secondary level.
Description and Requirements
For admission to the program a student must:
- Have completed 15 hours in the B.S. Marine Biology major upon applying and thirty (30) semester hours in science (includes twenty-five (25) semester hours in biology plus 5 hours of upper-level work in math or supporting science content area) with associated laboratory experiences to be fully admitted as a graduate student in the M.A.T. Science Education program. Evidence of successfully completing all sections of the General Knowledge Test (GKT) is also required for full admission to the graduate program.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA overall; and
- Have a minimum undergraduate 3.25 GPA in the major.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology
B.S. Marine Biology Major Degree Requirements
All Marine Biology major students will complete graduation requirements listed in the undergraduate catalog.
University and College Requirements:
- 120 hours
- 36 hours of general education coursework
- 6 hours upper-level core curriculum (Writing Intensive Capstone and Capstone Experience)
- 48 hour upper-level rule
- Summer rule
- USF Residency - Students must complete 30 hours of the last 60 hours in USF coursework.
- FLENT (Foreign Language Entrance Requirement)
- Gordon Rule Communication and Computation
Specialization Requirements for Certification in Separate Areas of Science (Grades 6-12):
In order to be eligible for certification in a separate area of science, students must complete a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in science to include twenty-one (21) semester hours in the area of desired specialization (chemistry, biology, physics, earth-space science).
Marine Biology Major Requirements: 72-74 hours total
- Must receive a C- or better to meet major requirements.
- Cascading prerequisites are strictly enforced. CR = co-requisite, courses that can be taken concurrently.
- Must have fewer than 3 D and/or F grades in the Biology major and supporting science requirement lectures
- Must complete a minimum of 50 percent (20 credit hours) of Marine Biology major requirements at USF Tampa
Biology Core Curriculum: 16 credit hours
- BSC 2010 & 2010L Cellular Processes/Laboratory
- BSC 2011 & 2011L Biodiversity/Laboratory
- PCB 3043 & 3043L Principles of Ecology and Laboratory
- PCB 3063 & 3063L General Genetics and Laboratory
Marine Curriculum: 24 credit hours – minimum of 8 credit hours must be 4000+level
- BSC 3312 Marine Biology
- BSC 4937 Seminar in Marine Biology
Choose one “structure” course from the following:
- BOT 3373C Vascular Plants
- BSC 4933 Selected Topics: Vertebrate Natural History and Lab
- MCB 3020C General Microbiology
- ZOO 3205C Advanced Invertebrate Zoology
- ZOO 3713C Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Choose 15 credit hours Marine Biology electives from the following courses
(A minimum of 8 credit hours must be 4000-level or higher courses)
- BSC 4313C Advanced Marine Biology
- BSC 4910 Undergrad Research
- BSC 4933 Selected Topics (approved for Marine Biology major)*
- GIS 5049** GIS for Non-majors
- GLY 4734** Beaches & Coastal Environments
- OCE 4930 Advanced Undergraduate Oceanography I
- OCE 4930 Advanced Undergraduate Oceanography II
- PCB 3712/PCB 3713L General Physiology
- PCB 4674 Organic Evolution
- MCB 4404/L Microbial Physiology & Genetics
- ZOO 4513 Animal Behavior
- ZOO 3407/L Biology of Sharks and Rays
Students may also select one or more of the “structure” courses which is NOT being used to meet the “structure” requirement (BOT 3373C, MCB 3020C, ZOO 2303/BSC 4933, ZOO 3205C, and/or ZOO 3713C).
A maximum of six credit hours may be taken from courses offered outside of the Biology departments with prior approval.
Students who complete ZOO 3713C in Spring 2012 and forward only need 14 hours of Marine Bio electives.
*Check the BioAdvise permits page for a list of approved BSC 4933 Selected Topics courses for Marine Biology majors.
Supporting Sciences and Mathematics: 32-34 credit hours
Students must receive a C- or better to meet requirements for degree (for progression in Math and CHM C is required)
- CHM 2045 & CHM 2045L General Chemistry I and Lab
- CHM 2046 & CHM 2046L General Chemistry II and Lab
- CHM 2210 & CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I and Lab
- CHM 2211 & CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II and Lab
- Calculus I: MAC 2241 or MAC 2311 or MAC 2281
- Statistics or Calculus II: STA 2023 or MAC 2242 or MAC 2312 or MAC 2282
- One of the General Physics sequences:
- PHY 2053/L & 2054/L General Physics I and II/Labs
- PHY 2048/L & 2049/L General Physics Calculus Based I and II/Labs
Graduate Degree Requirements for Accelerated M.A.T in Science Education
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
All M.A.T. programs include as an admission requirement the passing of all sections of the General Knowledge Test (GKT). Applicants who can document they lived outside the state or country and did not have access to take the GKT before the application deadline may submit passing Praxis scores or GRE scores to be considered for admission. Whether admitted with passing Praxis scores or acceptable GRE scores, the applicant must submit passing scores on the GKT before the last day of classes of the semester of first enrollment, or admission to the College of Education will be revoked.
Total Minimum Program Hours 39 credit hours minimum
The courses required for the M.A.T. in Science Education are listed below. Please check with the program for other program requirements.
Core Requirements
- SCE 5325 Methods of Middle Grades Science Education
- SCE 5337 Methods of Secondary Science Education
- SCE 6456 Teaching Secondary School Physical and Earth Science
- SCE 6938 Topics in Science Education: Field Practicum
- EDF 6432 Foundations of Measurement
- ESE 5342 Teaching the Adolescent Learner
- ESE 5344 Classroom Management for a Diverse School and Society
- SCE 5564 Reading and Communication in Science Education
- SCE 6416 Teaching Secondary School Biology
- SCE 6634 Current Trends in Secondary Science Education
- SCE 6947 Internship in Secondary Education for Social Science (PR: CI and passing scores of FTCE exam)
- TSL 5325 ESOL Strategies for Content Area Teachers
- Comprehensive Examination
- Student’s participation in the internship experience in classes that correspond to the specific area in which he or she will be certified.
- Passing score on the appropriate subject area exam.
- Student’s content degree or equivalent (an admission’s requirement).
Comprehensive Examination
A written narrative exam tailored to the individual student. Exam needs to be completed by two weeks before final exam week of the student’s graduating semester. Exams will only be accepted during fall or spring semester, unless previous contract is established with the student’s advisor.
COURSES (http://ugs.usf.edu/course-inventory/)
Timeline and benchmarks:
- To be considered for acceptance into the Accelerated B.S. Marine Biology/M.A.T. Science Education program students must have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours in the Marine Biology undergraduate major.
- Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall, and a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the major and passing scores on all sections of the General Knowledge Test (GKT) to be eligible for the accelerated degree program. Information on the General Knowledge Test on the Florida Teacher Certification section may be found on the webpage: http://www.fl.nesinc.com/
- Following completion of a minimum of 15 hours in the undergraduate major, students may be considered for acceptance into the accelerated program through faculty nomination or student self-nomination, via submission of an Accelerated Program Application Form. Both B.S. and M.A.T. programs will review the applications and approve the nominations. All applications require the approval of the College of Education Graduate Program, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the USF Graduate School.
- To be promoted to graduate status, students must meet all admission requirements of the M.A.T. in Science Education in the College of Education. Specifically, the following materials must be submitted:
- Undergraduate transcripts;
- Evidence of possessing a degree in a science discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, etc.) that is taught in a middle or high school, or comparable coursework in a science teaching field acceptable to the program faculty;
- A bachelor's or higher degree in biology or a bachelor's or higher degree with thirty (30) semester hours in science to include twenty-one (21) semester hours in biology with associated laboratory experiences.
- Documentation of GKT scores.
- Students must earn a minimum of a “B” (3.00) in all graduate courses. Failure to earn at least a “B” in a graduate course will result in academic review by the graduate program. Failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA will result in academic probation, according to the procedures of the USF Office of Graduate Studies.
A comprehensive plan of study to complete the accelerated B.S./M.A.T program will be developed with the guidance of an advisor and a faculty member. A possible plan of study could be as follows:
Note: Summer sessions may also be included in the study plan.
First and Second Year
- Courses and credits as designated for freshman and sophomore years.
Third Year
- Apply for Admission to the Accelerated B.S./M.A.T. program
Fourth Year
Student accepted in M.A.T. in Science Education program complete the following credits:
- SCE 5325 Methods of Middle Grades Science Education
- SCE 5337 Methods of Secondary Science Education
- SCE 6456 Teaching Secondary School Physical and Earth Science
- SCE 6938 Topics in Science Education: Field Practicum
Fifth Year
- EDF 6432 Foundations of Measurement
- ESE 5342 Teaching the Adolescent Learner
- ESE 5344 Classroom Management for a Diverse School and Society
- SCE 5564 Reading and Communication in Science Education
- SCE 6416 Teaching Secondary School Biology
- SCE 6634 Current Trends in Secondary Science Education
- SCE 6947 Internship in Secondary Education for Social Science (PR: CI and passing scores of FTCE exam)
- TSL 5325 ESOL Education in Content Areas
- Comprehensive Examination
More About this Major
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