Marine Biology
What is Marine Biology?
Marine Biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Marine biology differs from marine ecology as marine ecology is focused on how organisms interact with each other and the environment, and biology is the study of the organisms themselves. A large proportion of all life on earth exists in the ocean.
Beauties of the sea
Marine Biology education
Most master's programs are approximately 60 credit hours, compared to the 120 credit hours required for a Bachelor of Science degree. Marine biologists need at least a bachelor's degree in marine biology, and many continue on to receive master's and doctoral degrees in marine biology, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Marine biologists spend many hours in oceans, lakes and rivers studying plants and animals, in addition to the time spent in the classroom learning about the sciences applicable to marine biology.
Demand for the job in five years
What the demand for marine biologists will be in the future is difficult to predict. However, there are a number of factors suggesting that the demand for at least some types of marine biologists will be high. Considering water covers 70% of the earth, there should be a high demand.
Earnings for the job
Mean employee earnings - $53,300 ($25.63 hourly)
Experienced employee earnings (upper 75% of salaries) - $67,200 ($32.31 hourly
Entry level employee earnings- 41,400