Vincent Breslin
COORDINATOR

MINOR IN MARINE STUDIES

The Department of Science Education and Environmental Studies offers an undergraduate minor in marine studies. The marine studies minor may be taken as a planned sequence of courses in addition to a chosen major or as one of the minor programs in fulfillment of the requirements for the B.A. degree in Liberal Studies. Any undergraduate interested in scientific, legal, historical, or seamanship aspects of the coastal ocean can participate in the 18 credit minor. The marine studies minor is well suited for students interested in learning more about the Connecticut coastline and Long Island Sound. Courses provide students an opportunity to learn science using a “hands on” approach at field sites including marshes, estuaries, beaches, rocky interidal zones, urban harbors, and regional aquaria. Students are encouraged to become involved in research projects, internships, and independent studies in their areas of interest. The minor could lead to graduate study in marine affairs or marine science; or to entry level jobs in coastal zone management, environmental planning, or maritime recreation; or to careers in local, state, and federal agencies dealing with the coastal and marine environment. This minor program is also well suited for non-science majors pursuing degrees in education, journalism, and pre-law. Students should consult with the marine studies coordinator before planning this 18 credit minor.
Students must complete a minimum of four of the following courses:

MAR 150 — Marine Studies Institute
ESC 140 — Oceanography (for non-science majors)
    or ESC 320 — Marine Science I (for science majors)
MAR 200 — Seamanship and Piloting
    or MAR 201 — Marine Field Study
MAR 250 — Introduction to Coastal and Marine Pollution
GEO 357 — Marine Geography
GEO 437 — The Law of the Sea
 BIO 430 — Marine Biology 

The remaining courses may be selected from the following list:

LIT 303 — The Literature of the Sea
PED 336 — Scuba Diving
ESC 421 — Marine Geology
BIO 431 — Ecological Analysis of Harbor Ecosystems
BIO 461 — Marine Benthos
MAR 499 — Research in Marine Studies.