Marine Biology
Science is the systematic discovery of knowledge about the natural world, and marine science is the general term for research conducted in oceans and coastal or inland waters connected to the sea. Marine biology is a little harder to define. Marine biology cuts across many fields of study and covers many subjects. As a result, a marine biologist may specialize in such areas as marine ecology, physiology, anatomy, botany, or fisheries. Marine biology can also include applied areas of study, such as studying the effects of toxic chemicals on living organisms or other human impacts on the marine environment.
Marine Biologist
Hi, my name is Greg Boland and I am a marine biologist working with the Minerals Management Service. A marine biologist is someone who, in some way, studies, observes, protects, or manages marine organisms, be they plant or animal. I study marine fish populations and coral reefs and can call myself a marine biologist. If someone has a degree in biology and manages a marine wildlife preserve and he or she is concerned with protection of marine organisms there, then he or she is also a marine biologist.
Although studying the living creatures of the sea can be very interesting and rewarding, it does not always involve glamorous outdoor activities. In my case, I have been very lucky to do many of the spectacular things you watch on nature shows, such as scuba diving to study coral reefs and going underwater thousands of feet in a submersible. So these kinds of exciting research opportunities are not impossible.
Many people think they would like to work with whales or dolphins. While MMS does employ marine mammal biologists, there are very few people in the world who study whales or other marine mammals! I am also one of six other people in our office who are part of an MMS scientific dive team. We make several trips a year to do research scuba dives in the Gulf of Mexico. On some trips we go along with the scientists we contract, and we participate in their projects, such as studying corals growing on offshore platforms. One trip a year we go the Flower Garden Banks coral reefs to monitor research by scientists. Other marine biologists at MMS use their training in many ways. They study a variety of resources and habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, including coastal wetlands and fish populations around offshore platforms and submarine banks. One of the important jobs we do as marine biologists at MMS is to write sections of environmental impact statements relating to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico. I also design research that others do for MMS to answer questions needed for these important documents.
Educational Requirements
If the desire is there, almost everyone who wants to go into marine biology can do it, but you shouldn’t do it to get rich or with unreasonable expectations. First, remember that marine biology is really biology that happens to take place in the sea. So, you are a biologist first and a marine biologist second.
While you are in high school you will want to take as much science and math as possible. You always hear that math is important, and it is. You do need to take the classes, but you don’t have to love it. Don't think that you need to specialize right away, especially in high school. If your school has a course in marine biology or marine science, make sure to take it. But you also need a sound background in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Try to get good grades; in fact, try to get very good grades. It will help you get into college. I loved science classes from very early on. I remember that I decided I wanted to be an oceanographer or marine biologist as early as junior high. I had no trouble getting into Colorado State University, but competition is getting tougher these days.
Second, it really is necessary to go to college if you want to go into marine biology. That’s just the way it is. In fact, you really should plan on going to graduate school. For an undergraduate degree, do not necessarily major in marine biology if you really want to become a marine biologist. I know this sounds illogical, but it is sound advice. Specializing in marine biology too early can distract you from getting necessary background science classes. Basic science is still how you should fill your course work. A basic knowledge of computers and their technical applications (text processing, databases, spread sheets) will be very useful. A writing class would also be very helpful because scientists are often poor at writing.
You don’t have to choose a college near an ocean for your bachelor’s degree. A surprising number of the best marine biologists in America completed their bachelor’s degree in colleges among fields of corn and grass hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. I got my undergraduate degree in zoology in Colorado. A professor considered a famous oceanographer, whom I worked with for many years, was raised and got his bachelor’s degree in Iowa. It is more important that you obtain the best possible undergraduate background in a particular field of basic science; to be a good marine scientist one must first learn to be a good scientist.
A master's degree is almost the minimum you need to get very far in a career as a marine biologist. It means that you have had the dedication to do specific work in the subject and can perform a research study, including the collection of data, and analyze and report the results. A Ph.D. degree is not necessarily required for significant career advancement as a marine biologist. I got my first dream job as soon as I finished my master’s degree, working with a consulting firm doing exactly what I wanted to do. Excellent positions, particularly in government and the private sector, do not necessarily require a doctorate. Often, it is possible to substitute research experience for this degree. However, a Ph.D. degree is usually required for academic positions and could prove critical for advancement into the highest levels of management with any employer. Without my Ph.D., I was beginning to feel restricted in my possibilities while working for a university. Most universities will not let you do your own research proposals without a faculty position, and that almost always requires a Ph.D.
Career Opportunities
Marine biologists are employed by universities and colleges, international organizations, Federal and State agencies, private companies, nonprofit laboratories, and local governments, or they may be self-employed. Marine scientists draw professional salaries and may be rewarded richly for their work in intangible ways, but they almost never become wealthy by American standards. Salaries depend on each person's education, experience, and specific discipline. Location, the present supply of scientists, and other factors also affect individual salaries. The Government position I now have pays very well, but I sure don’t have a million-dollar house or drive a Lexus. I came into my MMS job after 23 years of marine biology experience, so it was possible to obtain a more senior level position. As time goes by, other opportunities arise even for entry level scientists with little experience. A key is to take advantage of those opportunities and get the experience that supports your career moves into more senior-level positions. First-hand experience with your subject matter is hard to beat. When you have personally seen and studied the things you are most interested in, you develop an expertise that can become very valuable.
Because marine science is advancing at a rapid rate, most career advancements for entry level scientists result from on-the-job training or from returning to college for graduate studies. Professional contacts and participation in field research and writing for publications during graduate research can be the most important means of obtaining employment. The more scientists you meet and work with, the easier it is to find jobs. When others know you personally, and know your abilities, they are more likely to hire you. My three major career advances were made possible by recommendations from others I had worked with in the past, doing the same kind of science work I was moving into. Hard work and perseverance is the key, and the enjoyment of your work is the payoff. The bottom line: I get paid to do what I love!
[Meteorologist] [Coastal Ecology] [Geophysicist] [Geologist] [Environmental Scientist]
[Marine Biologist] [Micropaleontologist] [Physical Oceanographer] [Petroleum Engineer] [Underwater Archaeologist]
Last update: Thursday November 29 2007
