Marine Biology
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Graduate Program in Marine Sciences and Limnology
907-474-7289
www.sfos.uaf.edu/academics/
Minimum Requirements for Degrees: MS: 30 credits; PhD: 18 thesis credits
The marine biology graduate program focuses on the ecology, physiology and biochemistry/molecular biology of marine organisms. Students may pursue either a MS or PhD degree in marine biology. Graduate students are afforded excellent opportunities for laboratory and field research through the Institute of Marine Science. Laboratory facilities are available in Fairbanks, the Seward Marine Center, the Juneau Center, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center and at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory. Opportunities for field work are available on the R/V Little Dipper, which operates in Resurrection Bay.
Students may select courses offered by the graduate program in marine sciences and limnology, the fisheries program, the biology and wildlife department and the chemistry and biochemistry department.
Students considering graduate study in marine biology should have a strong background in biology, molecular biology or biochemistry. Students are admitted on the basis of their ability and the capability of the program to meet their particular interests and needs. Faculty review requests for admission throughout the year. Stipends for financial support are awarded competitively. Limited fellowship support is available. Most students are supported on research projects that relate directly to their degree research.
- Complete the following admission requirement:
- Submit GRE scores.
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the master's degree requirements.
- Complete a thesis.
- Complete the following*:
MSL F610--Marine Biology--3 credits
MSL F615--Physiology of Marine Organisms--3 credits
MSL F650--Biological Oceanography--3 credits
MSL F651--Marine Biology and Ecology Field Course (4)
or an acceptable substitution**(4)--4 credits
MSL F692--Seminar--3 credits - Minimum credits required--30 credits
* Students must earn a B- grade or better in the core courses of the degree program before being eligible to take the comprehensive exam.
** The following is the official GPMSL policy regarding acceptable substitutions for MSL F651--Marine Biology Field Course to meet the field course requirement for the MS marine biology program:
a. A combination of MSL F421--Subtidal Studies (2 credits) plus a minimum of eight days (for 2 credits through a pre-approved independent study course) aboard an oceanographic vessel or a coastal field station conducting biological research unrelated to the student's thesis research, if approved in advance by the Graduate Advisory Committee, Master's Comprehensive Exam Committee, and the chief scientist of the cruise. (Note: Assuming the student spends 10 hours per day on the vessel/field station, the student will accumulate 80 hours of experience, which is equivalent to a 2-credit lab course.) To obtain approval for this last substitution, the chief scientist of the cruise/field station must submit a memorandum to the Master's Comprehensive Exam Committee stating that the student will spend at least eight days at sea substantially involved in a variety of cruise activities that are not related to the student's thesis research, or
b. MSL F656--Kelp Forest Ecology (3), or
c. MSL F697--Individual Study - Field Problems in Marine Biology (4). Please see department for specific details on course requirements.
- Complete the following admission requirement:
- Submit GRE scores.
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the PhD degree requirements.
- Complete course work at least equivalent to that required for the MS degree*.
- Minimum credits required--18 credits
* Students must earn a B- grade or better in the MS core courses of the degree program before being eligible to complete the qualifying exam required for this program.