Graduate Program Requirements
Information to consider as you prepare for graduate school in marine science— including examples of graduate programs in marine sciences and admissions requirements.
There are many many universities at which marine science M.S. or PhD degrees can be earned. Your Ursinus academic advisor and the marine science faculty can help you to compile a list of universities to which you can apply based on your interests. All programs require an application, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Many require the GRE. Some require a curriculum vitae. Some require that you are guaranteed a spot in someone’s lab to be accepted.
Early in your Ursinus career it is a good idea to make a table of the graduate programs to which you might be interested in applying. In the table you should include the prerequisites for each program so that you can be certain to complete them. Other items in the table might be the names of the faculty that you would like to contact in those programs, the application deadlines and requirements.
Last Updated: 2/21/2023
University |
Program |
Minimum GPA/GRE |
Prerequisites |
Application Notes |
|
University of Miami |
M.S. or PhD in Marine Biology and Ecology |
3.0 GRE not required |
B.S. or B.A. in biology, courses in calculus, physics, chemistry |
Contact specific faculty to discuss mutual research interests. |
|
University of Delaware* |
M.S. and PhD in marine studies College of Earth, Ocean and Environment
|
3.0 GRE score used |
B.S. or B.A. |
Essays, recommendations, test scores, transcript, encouraged to contact potential advisors |
|
Boston University |
Marine Biology |
No minimum |
Biology and chemistry courses, statistics if possible |
Demonstrated aptitude for research is sought in applicants |
|
Scripps Institution |
M.S. or PhD in marine biology |
3.0 |
Basic course work in botany, microbiology, or zoology, two years of chemistry, including organic chemistry. Strongly recommended: cellular biology, molecular biology, comparative physiology, genetics, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, microbiology, and/or botany |
Must have advisor agreement; grades, GRE optional |
|
University of Chicago- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Holes, MA |
Integrative biology |
GRE optional |
Sound background in field of interest, research experience |
Talk to current and former students and reach out to faculty |
|
MIT/WHOI |
Biological Oceanography |
GRE optional |
Science or engineering undergraduate degree; math up to differential equations; one year of physics, organic and inorganic chemistry; statistics, biology courses inc. genetics |
Encouraged but not required to reach out to faculty |
|
MIT/WHOI |
Marine Geology and Geophysics |
GRE optional |
Calculus, linear algebra, courses and degree in geophysics, geology, chemistry, physics, earth science, or engineering |
MIT/WHOI Tips for Contacting Potential Advisors tips for contacting potential advisors here! |
|
University of Miami |
M.S. or PhD in Ocean Sciences |
3.0 |
Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Computer Programming (Matlab, IDL, C, or Fortran). Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Mathematics, Physics, Geosciences, Engineering or an equivalent degree |
|
|
University of Delaware* |
M.S. and PhD in ocean engineering cross-disciplinary program operated jointly by the CEOE and the College of Engineering. |
|
B.S. in Engineering, 3.0 GPA for an M.S. or 3.5 GPA for PhD |
|
|
University of Rhode Island |
Evolution and Marine Biology |
3.0, sometimes lower if exceptional promise shown |
|
Contact faculty directly’ submit writing sample, posters, publications |
|
University of North Carolina |
Marine Biology |
GRE not required |
B.S. or M.S. degree in a basic science or engineering (e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, biology, oceanography, marine sciences, meteorology, mathematics, computer science, environmental science, engineering) |
Research experience sought in applicants |
|
University of North Carolina |
Geological Sciences |
GRE not required |
Undergraduate degree in traditional geology, biology, geochemistry, geophysics, physical geography, or other related interdisciplinary fields. |
Reach out to faculty to discuss mutual interests and research opportunities |
*These are examples of University of Delaware programs, of which there are many