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Marine Science Double Major Program (Marine Science/Biology)

Type
Bachelor (ISCED 2011 level 6)
Language

English

Duration 8 semesters
Cost TOTAL ESTIMATE: $73,354 (TUITION, FOOD/HOUSING, BOOKS, TRANSPORTATION, FEES, PERSONAL COSTS)

Since its founding in 1977, UM's double major in Marine Science has established our undergraduate program as one of the top programs in the country. The interdisciplinary plan deals with the study of the world’s oceans: their physical and biological constituents, the influence of oceanic resources on human society and the conservation and future development of those resources. The breadth of the Marine Science major is complemented with depth in a required second major within one of the basic or applied sciences. All students acquire a common background in the basic sciences, along with a set of four core Marine Science courses and labs. Electives may be chosen from any area within the School, and may include up to six credits of directed research.

Marine Science/Biology

Marine biologists study the structure and function of marine organisms from the cell and molecular level to their role in ecosystem function. Research at UM focuses on tropical marine and coral reef ecology, fisheries conservation and management, and the use of marine organisms as models for environmental stress and human disease.

Structural components
Thesis/Dissertation
Ship training
Internship/Workplace experience
Laboratory training
Practical/Field work
Research Project

Application procedure

1. Complete the Common Application
Complete and submit the Common Application. Upon submitting, you will be asked to pay a $70 nonrefundable application fee. Be sure you use the same email address for every part of the application process, including registering for standardized tests.

In the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of seven prompts, using 650 words or less. This essay portion of the application gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to develop your thoughts, to communicate them clearly, and to write them concisely conveying your unique voice. We also ask that you list your involvement in extracurricular activities outside of school involvements and/or commitments; these will be evaluated as another factor in the admission process. 

2. Send Official High School Transcripts
Review the options below and follow the instructions for the option that describes your educational background. 

3. Submitting Test Scores
Review the options below and follow the instructions for the option that describes your educational background.

4. Complete the School Report
The School Report should be completed by your high school guidance counselor and can be found on the Common Application. It is often submitted along with your high school transcript and information about your high school. 

5. Submit Letters of Recommendation
We require you to submit two letters of recommendation: one from a high school guidance counselor and one from a teacher. These can be submitted electronically through the Common Application or Naviance, by email to mydocuments@miami.edu, or by mail to one of the following addresses:

6. Submit Educational Activities
If you have a time gap of three months or more during your educational career or from the time you graduated high school to the date of your intended University of Miami enrollment, you must submit an Educational Activities statement explaining the reason for the gap(s) and include the dates. You may provide this explanation within your Common Application or by emailing it to mydocuments@miami.edu. Be sure to include the subject line “Educational Activities” and your full name and date of birth on all correspondence. This information is required to complete your application file.

7. Complete the International Financial Certification Form (International applicants only)
The University of Miami is need-aware for first-year international undergraduate applicants. This means that, for a portion of international applicants, the Admission Committee will consider that student’s ability to pay tuition without the need for financial aid. UM is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted international students.

All prospective first-year international students who apply for admission to UM must submit an International Financial Certification Form, which can be accessed via CaneLink Full Site after you have submitted your application. 

8. Submit Financial Aid Documents
Review the options below and follow the instructions for the option that best applies to you.

9. Send Conduct Updates
If there is an update to your conduct (academic or behavioral) or your standing as a student in your high school (suspension, expulsion, withdrawal, etc.) you must alert the Office of Undergraduate Admission immediately at conductupdate@miami.edu. All other non-conduct updates can be sent to mydocuments@miami.edu. Be sure to include your name and date of birth on all documents.

10. Check Your Application Status
Visit our Check Your Application Status page to learn how to navigate your CaneLink account—your online student portal—to track your application materials and view your admission decision.

Grant opportunities

Incoming Students

UM awards merit-based scholarships to incoming undergraduate students based on their academic achievements. Students are automatically considered for an academic scholarship when they apply for admission to UM.

Learning outcomes

Goals

Students completing this double major will be able to master a broad set of fundamental scientific knowledge in Marine Science and Biology, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in a time of increasing stress on marine environment. The program will provide the rigor, flexibility, depth and integration to enable students to:

  • Design and pursue their course of study that meets requirements of a double major in Marine Science and Biology.
  • Learn from the diverse and outstanding group of professors and researchers who are experts in their fields and have active research programs.
  • Undertake active research experiences, which will allow them to gain a strong understanding of the scientific process and provide them with a set of valuable experimental and computational skills.
  • Prepare themselves for graduate school and for successful careers in public and private industries.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.
  • Students will develop analytical and quantitative skills to allow critical data analysis.
  • Students will be able to do carry out supervised research in the field of marine science.

ISCED Categories

Project management
Personal skills and communication
Biology
Toxicology
Ecology
Conservation and environmental management
Physical and chemical oceanography
Statistics
Scientific modelling
Aquaculture
Fisheries