Our oceans cover more than 70% of the surface of the earth and are the most significant influencers of weather patterns across the globe. The TROY marine biology program focuses on the flora and fauna occupying our waters and the vast ecosystem they inhabit. This program prepares the student for further education in marine biology, or a position in the fields of marine conservation, wetland management, and many more.
Marine Biology
Must have Adobe Reader to viewMISSION A bachelor’s degree at Troy University in Marine Biology provides the academic and field experiences necessary to prepare students for rewarding careers in marine science, such as conducting research at universities, marine laboratories, and working for industry or state and federal environmental agencies.
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM The program of study includes two summers of classes at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, located at the mouth of Mobile Bay, south of Mobile. During the Freshman and Sophomore years, students in the Marine Biology Program complete their foundation courses, such as Principles of Biology, Organismal Biology, General Chemistry, General Ecology, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry, which prepare them for advanced study. Students spend the summers after their Sophomore and Junior years at the Sea Lab taking courses such as Vertebrate Zoology, Oceanography, Marsh Ecology, and Marine Technical Methods, among the many choices.
Students complete their upper level Biology and Physics classes during the Junior and Senior years.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
| FRESHMAN YEAR |
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
Fall Semester
Princ. of Bio. & lab
Chemistry I & lab
Calculus I
English Composition I
Orientation
Spring Semester
Organismal Bio. & Lab
Chemistry II & Lab
English Composition II
General Studies
General Studies |
Fall Semester
General Ecology & lab
Organic Chemistry I & lab Literature I
General Studies
Spring Semester
Genetics & lab
Organic Chemistry II & lab
General Studies
General Studies
General Studies
Summer Semester
Marine Biology Course
Marine Biology Course
|
|
| JUNIOR YEAR |
SENIOR YEAR |
Fall Semester
Invert. Zoology & lab
Physics I & lab
General Studies
Spring Semester
Biology Elective
Physics II & lab
Biology Elective
Applied Statistics
Summer Semester
Marine Biology Course
Marine Biology Course |
Fall Semester
Microbiology & lab
Biology Elective
Electives to complete degree |
AFTER GRADUATION Congratulations! Many career opportunities are now available to you. There are jobs available at marine laboratories, both public and private, in industry, and with state and local governments. Many students opt for a graduate degree in Marine Biology, which opens up even more career paths. Admission to graduate school is competitive and is based on a number of factors including undergraduate GPA (grade point average) as well as GRE (Graduate Record Examination) entrance scores. Many graduate schools offer assistantships to help defray the cost of a graduate education.
DAUPHIN ISLAND Troy University is one of the founding members of the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium. Better known as the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the facility offers courses in the marine sciences to students across the State and the Nation.
A highlight of the Marine Biology program at Troy University is the field experience at Dauphin Island. Students typically spend two summers at the Sea Lab and wish they had time for more!
Please check out the web site for the Sea Lab at
www.disl.org. The website provides information about the Sea Lab, including its facilities, faculty, and course offerings. In addition, it includes many links to other sites related to careers, internships, and graduate study.
STUDENT CLUBS
- Tri-Beta, the honor society for Biology
- Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED), the Society of Pre-Health professions
- Environmental Club.
RESEARCH FACILITIES
- Arboretum: contains 75 acres of plant species representative of Southeast Alabama
- Herbarium: houses specimens of vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens.
COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Many students conduct undergraduate research under faculty supervision. The students learn research techniques as they work closely with faculty. Each year our undergraduate students present their research findings at regional and national scientific meetings and some publish them in professional journals. Please ask your advisor about our undergraduate student research website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION The faculty in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Troy University have diversified backgrounds and teach a variety of ecology and field biology courses. This provides students with the opportunity to study in a variety of areas so as to increase their chances for future employment and/or acceptance into graduate schools.
For additional information about the Marine Biology Program, facilities, faculty, and course offerings, please contact: Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences Troy University 213 McCall Hall (MSCX) Troy, AL 36082
marinebiology@troy.edu
About the Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences
Plumleaf Azalea Rhododendron prunifolium (Small) Millais. It is native to a few counties along the Chattahoochee River between Alabama and Georgia from the Auburn area south to Haleburg in Henry County on the Alabama side.
MISSION
The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences prepares students for graduate studies, health professional fields, teaching positions, and careers in business and government.
The Department offers undergraduate programs in biology (with concentrations in general biology, ecology and field biology, cell and molecular biology and medical technology), marine biology, and environmental science. The Department offers majors in biology education, biology (non-teaching) and a minor in biology (non-teaching).
The Master of Science in Environmental & Biological Sciences is designed to broaden the graduate student’s perspective and provide skills and knowledge for understanding environmental and biological problems in the sciences.
Front Row (L to R):Dr. Stephen Landers, Dr. Glenn Cohen (Chair), Dr. Philip Reynolds, and
Dr. Michael Woods
Back Row (L to R): Dr. Wayne Morris, Mrs. Sara Hester, Dr. Christi Magrath, Dr. Michael Stewart, Dr. Alicia Whatley, Miss Abby Peters, Dr. Lisa Ann Blankinship, Mrs. Heather Lofton-Garcia,
Ms. Janet Gaston , and Mrs. Teresa Moore
Not Shown: Dr. Neil Billington, Dr. Alvin Diamond, Dr. Sigurdur Greipsson, Ms. Rachael Koigi
Sig B. Harden, PhD
Professor and Department Chair
Montgomery Campus
Troy University Montgomery Campus, is proud to offer the following courses within the Department of Science. We are located in Barlett Hall, Room 315, on the Montgomery Campus of Troy University.
The Montgomery Campus provides prerequisites and other courses required for students wishing to pursue an education in sciences, including:
Principles of Biology
Microbiology
Organismal Biology
General Chemistry I and II
Human Anatomy and Physiology, and the associated Labs.
Of course, a study in any science will not restrict a student from achieving an occupation in another field, as even a minor in any of the sciences can make a student more appealing during the application process for graduate degrees in education, law, and other doctoral programs.
11-4-12
