Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Marine Sciences

The Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences offers a B.S. in Marine Sciences to address society’s need for specialized understanding of the marine environment. This program is designed to prepare students for tackling challenges and opportunities presented by the “Blue Economy”. The “Blue Economy '' encompasses a broad range of job opportunities related to the marine environment allowing graduates to pursue careers in government, academic, commercial and industrial settings. The degree program takes advantage of the location of the University South Alabama as well as its partnership with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), to provide a unique educational experience as well as experiential learning opportunities. These institutional locations give students direct access to the natural marine laboratories of the Mobile Tensaw Delta, Mobile Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico where students will be immersed in all things marine!

A cornerstone of this program is the Semester by the Sea at DISL where students in this program will spend their spring semester of junior or senior year taking coursework at DISL with the option of living in residence at DISL. Students must complete the following courses with a grade of "C" or higher prior to attending the spring Semester by the Sea: BLY 121/L, BLY 122/L, CH 131/L, CH 132/L, PH 114/L or PH 201/L, MAS 134/L, MAS 331/L, and MAS 332/L.

Students must earn a "C" or higher in all required Marine Science courses including MAS 336, MAS 437/L, or an approved course substitution (i.e., MAS 490), MAS 431/L and MAS 475. 

Degree Requirements

All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses.

Note: PHL 231 is suggested as one of the AREA II. General Education Requirements.

Other Course Requirements: 

Additional courses required for the major includes 16 credits hours of general education courses in the following list.

Major Milestones

Notes 

Students with ACT Math scores 22-23 should take CH 100 and MA 112 in the first semester, and they will graduate with 128 hours; MA 125 also satisfies the math requirement. Students with ACT Math scores 21 and below should begin math courses in the summer before Fall - Year 1.

*   Students who earn an English ACT score of 27 or above, SAT score of 610 or above on the verbal portion, or a new SAT Reading Test can opt out of EH 101.

** Must have one history elective and one literature elective. In addition, students must choose a second history or literature to complete a two-part sequence.

*** There may be additional prerequisites for upper level major electives. Refer to the bulletin for more information.

All Arts and Sciences majors require a minor between 18 and 24 hours. Courses used in a minor can also be used for general education requirements or major requirements (up to two courses).

Two designated writing (W) courses are required with at least one course chosen from offerings in the student's major or minor. Courses carrying this required credit are identified in the University Bulletin by a (W) after the course title.

The Sample 4-year plan is designed as a guide for students preparing for their course selections. This information provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made in consultation with an advisor.