The ocean is your classroom. Track apex predators, rescue coral reefs, and launch groundbreaking research along Florida’s most dynamic coastlines.
Marine life reveals the intricate story of our planet's history, from tiny microbes to the largest animals on the planet. In Florida Southern’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marine Biology program, you will study that story from every scientific angle while gaining hands-on experience in some of the world's most remarkable ocean environments.
Our Marine Biology BS blends biology, chemistry, ecology, and conservation into a curriculum built on direct access to the natural world. With the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast within driving distance, you will conduct real research and explore different ecosystems from your first semester to your senior year, such as: tagging sharks, mapping seagrass beds, surveying coral reefs, and contributing to research that matters.
Ready to roll up your (wetsuit) sleeves? At Florida Southern, you’ll conduct research alongside marine biology faculty and collect data in outdoor living laboratories, gaining valuable firsthand experience.
Your courses will explore the marine ecosystems that cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. Learn about environments from the open ocean to estuaries and coral reefs, along with the plants and animals that inhabit them, as you prepare for graduate school or to work as a marine scientist or educator. Grab your sunscreen and get ready to go beyond the textbooks.
A. WRIGHT Foundations Requirements..................................................... 34 hours
B. Major Requirements........................................................................ 72–78 hours
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Twelve hours chosen from the following:
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C. Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements........................................... 12 hours
D. Electives............................................................................................. 0–6 hours
E. Total ................................................................................................... 124 hours
Embark on an adventure with Florida Southern. We’ve created a streamlined application process to put you one step closer to your dream degree.
Choose a student status below to review the requirements. We look forward to receiving your application.
All freshman applicants to Florida Southern Colleges full-time degree programs must submit the following information:
Applying to Florida Southern as a transfer student is easy. Submit:
If transferring fewer than 24 credits, also include your official high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores.
Learn More about transfer admissionsMake friends with students who are in the same boat by joining clubs and organizations related to your major. FSC’s Biology Department sponsors chapters of:
99% of marine biology graduates move successfully into careers and graduate programs in marine science, conservation, and environmental policy. With such diverse career placement opportunities, it’s no surprise that marine biologists are among the happiest professionals in the country.
Bring your passion for marine organisms and ecosystems into a profession with impact. As a marine biologist, you can further research efforts and educate the public to address pressing environmental issues facing our ocean habitats.
FSC prepares you for these efforts through collaborative undergraduate research projects with faculty, participation in conferences, study abroad courses focused on global challenges, and more.
Share your love for marine biology with others by becoming a teacher or professor in the sciences. Many undergraduates go on to pursue graduate studies, influence important research efforts, and educate future generations about these crucial ecosystems.
Florida Southern’s bachelor's degree program readies you for the rigors of graduate education, and Mocs have been accepted into top programs at institutions including:
As a marine biology major, you’ll come to understand the delicate balance between the health of species’ populations and their habitats. Fisheries managers employ ecosystem research to keep populations stable, promote sustainable fishing practices, and support responsible stewardship of our oceans.
It’s an important job, and your FSC education will help you take it on with confidence. You’ll learn to gather critical data and present your findings at research symposiums and conferences that address ongoing environmental challenges.
We only have one Earth, and we need fierce advocates to help protect it. Channel your love for conservation into studying and preserving the planet’s natural resources.
At Florida Southern, you’ll learn about the challenges marine environments face, from climate change to overfishing. With a rich understanding of interconnected ocean habitats and organisms, you can use your knowledge and hands-on research experience to shape important education and policy initiatives.
“I love many of the hands-on aspects of my major. My professors engage us in going beyond the classroom setting. One of my biology classes challenges me to document a new organism I discover on campus every week!”
"Without my excellent marine biology education at FSC, I truly believe that I would not be where I am today career-wise. The professors at FSC are so knowledgeable in their fields and really inspired me to continue learning and pursue research. All of the staff at Florida Southern are very approachable and helpful, even just to stop and chat."
“FSC offers opportunities that help me have a better understanding of what I need to do now to help me prepare for a future in the sciences after my undergraduate studies. Attending a conference always makes me feel more confident with what I’m doing with my career path. I met so many people through conferences that were not only eager to share their research but also eager to hear about my research and goals.”
Add real-world experiences to your resume. Take on independent research on invasive species. Conduct fieldwork to tag sharks and track their movements. At FSC, the classroom comes alive.
Florida Southern's Lakeland campus puts you within driving distance of two coastlines, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, giving marine biology students access to more diverse field environments than almost any other program in the country. Lake Hollingsworth is right outside your door. The ocean is an hour away.
When you are ready to go further, Junior Journey trips led by Marine Biology faculty take you to (1) the world famous Sharklab in Bimini, Bahamas to study and interact with sharks and rays, or (2) the Roatan (Honduras) Institute for Marine Sciences to dive on coral reefs and learn about their health and conservation. In addition, students may acquire unique experiences beyond the classroom by engaging in research-based internships, such as the summer positions offered by FSC's Elasmobranch Research Team to study shark and ray spatial ecology in Tampa Bay.
Our faculty includes award-winning teachers, published researchers, and seasoned experts in areas such as marine invertebrate life cycles and life histories, microbial ecology, fisheries biology, invasive species, and coral reef conservation. Most importantly, they are caring educators who will know your name and help you chase your passion, too.
Professor of Biology, George W. Truitt Chair in the Sciences, Marine Biology Program Director
Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Biotechnology Program Director
Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Honors Program Director
Assistant Professor of Marine Biology
Assistant Professor of Marine Biology
Get an inside look into the Florida Southern College experience with on-campus tours and events designed to show you what it will be like to live, study, and play at FSC.
Spend a day and discover what it's like to be a part of our amazing campus community!
Admissions
Meet FSC Mocs before a fun-filled experience at Southern Select! You can enjoy light refreshments...
Admissions
Much more than a traditional campus visit, Southern Select includes team building activities, a...
Admissions
At FSC, you are the focus. Our team loves connecting with prospective students to answer questions and explore how the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology can be a fit for your goals.
Professor of Biology, George W. Truitt Chair in the Sciences, Marine Biology Program Director
Interested in similar programs? Explore other undergraduate majors offered in the School of Arts and Sciences:
At Florida Southern College, the only way to know is to dive in. We’ll support you in your next steps, from learning more about our programs to planning a campus visit or starting your application today.
