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You are here: Home › Marine Careers › How to Become a Marine Biologist: Requirements and Necessities

How to Become a Marine Biologist: Requirements and Necessities

By KaranC | In: Marine Careers | Last Updated on May 20, 2022

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Studying for a marine biologist career involves certain requirements and following a lot of protocols. Since a degree in marine biology allows a person to gain knowledge about the entire marine fauna and flora, getting an education in the field involves a lot of steadfastness and dedication to not only complete the necessary qualifications but also come out as a professional and dedicated marine biologist.

It is a long and arduous journey to becoming a respectable marine biologist. In order to take up a marine biologist career, one needs to choose subjects such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry and of course – biology during your undergrad years. A degree in marine biology is the safest way to reach your career goals.

You will be able to learn all the necessary subjects surrounding marine biology, which involves zoology and other aspects of biology as well. Your life as an undergrad biology student will already give you an idea of how hard the journey will be.

Also, additionally, it is important that a person aspiring to take up marine biologist education is proficient in terms of his writing and communication skills.

Writing skills are relevant in the context of a marine biologist education because a marine biologist is required to draft extensive notes and observations about the area that he is studying and researching so that others also get to learn crucial and significant things from the same.

Another important thing to consider while taking up a marine biologist degree is the university that offers the course of marine biology. While choosing a university it is important for the candidate to look out for universities that provide practical training along with the necessary theoretical know-how.

how to become marine biologist

Representation image

Marine Biologist Degree

A marine biologist must pursue vigorous education to become eligible to work. The starting point for any student that intends to choose this career path is an undergraduate and graduate study. As an undergrad, you can choose to pursue biology or zoology or choose marine biology. It isn’t necessary that you must choose marine biology during your undergrad years to become a marine biologist. It is also advisable for undergrads to pursue courses related to engineers, mathematics or computer science in addition to natural science education. These subjects can assist heavily in your career and will give you more options to apply yourself in various situations.

Students that pursue a biology program will study subjects such as cell biology, biochemistry, ecology, evolution, etc. Students will be able to choose elective courses that can help them learn about subjects related to their majors like marine zoology or marine ecology. Biology programs also rely heavily on laboratory practicals. This will give the students experience working with lab tools, conducting properly in a lab environment and research protocols to follow.

Students that graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology can find jobs in the marine biology field, but career advancements will require higher education.

Students will also fail to keep up with their more educated peers unless they put in an extra effort. Pursuing a master’s degree is a wise choice for students to gain confidence in the proficiency of the subjects.

Oceanography, biostatistics, marine chemistry, ecosystems and geology are some of the many choices that can help the student specialize in their field of study. The master’s programs will also have electives to choose from which can further help the students improve their necessary skills.

They will also be able to specialize in their subjects of interest like particular marine organisms, for example, fish, mammals, corals, and other marine wildlife. Graduate students will also have to focus on independent research for their thesis; this will act as the gateway to their journey as marine biologists.

Research and documentation are two very important requirements for a scientist. Later on, students may even opt for PhD programs to further develop their research skills and knowledge. A PhD is not necessary but having one is very commendable, and the quality of your dissertation will greatly influence your potential employers.

Marine Biologist Jobs

Some of the important organisations that hire marine biologists in the United States are:

  1. NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
  2. Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  3. California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  4. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
  5. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
  6. EnviroMatrix Analytical, Inc. (EMA)
  7. AquaBio Environmental Technologies, Inc. AquaBio Environmental Technologies, Inc.
  8. Nautilus Environmental

An individual can look up for similar organisations in his or her respective country to know more about opportunities for marine biologists.

Different Career Options After Pursuing Marine Biology

After gaining education in the field of marine biology, one can take up different kinds of jobs as mentioned below:

  • Marine ecologist and dive operations manager
  • Consultant in marine ecology
  • Marine biotechnologist
  • Fishery data manager
  • Environmental engineer
  • Marine policy expert.
  • Reef restoration project manager
  • Marine biology technician
  • Research assistant
  • Professor in marine ecology
  • Postdoctoral fellow
  • Oil spill response specialist

A marine biologist has several career options, all of which can provide fruitful compensation and great satisfaction of work. However, to advance in the career domain of your choice, you will need to specialise in a particular subject of your field. Reef ecology, the biology of fisheries, marine pollution, biodiversity, and coastal management are some of the popular choices for a marine biologist to specialise in.

Your success as a marine biologist is completely dependent on your experience and achievements within the field of choice. Education only plays a partial role by helping you break your way into the field. Much like other scientific careers, a marine biologist can expect tons of competition. Hard work and commitment are the only answers to success in this field.

Marine Biologist Education Requirements

As mentioned, earlier, a marine biologist does not have a specific blueprint when it comes to education requirements besides a bachelor’s degree in a related science. Further education will act as a bonus and add more value to the biologist.

Best Marine Biology Colleges

Some of the famous colleges providing courses in marine biology are:

  • Duke University in Durham, NC
  • ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
  • Boston University in Boston, MA
  • The University of Maine in Orono, ME
  • The Australian National University
  • University of Cambridge

Important Books for Marine Biologists

If you are a marine biologist or are planning to become one, then the following books would be really helpful:

  • The Unnatural History of the Sea – Prof. Calum Roberts
  • Mapping the Deep – Robert Kunzig
  • Spirals in Time – Dr. Helen Scales
  • Vanished Ocean: How Tethys Reshaped the World – Prof. Dorrik Stow
  • The Empty Ocean – Richard Ellis
  • Voyage of the Turtle: In pursuit of the Earth’s last dinosaur – Prof. Carl Safina
  • Reflections on a Summer Sea – Prof. Trevor Norton
  • Narwhals: Arctic Whales in a Melting World – Todd McLeish
  • Flotsametrics and the floating world – Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer & Eric Scigliano
  • A Life Underwater – Dr. Charlie Veron

Marine Biologist Salary

Though there is no particular data on the salary of marine biologists around the world, according to payscale.com, marine biologists across different levels have a salary range as mentioned below:

Entry-level

Experience plays a huge role in the success of your career as a marine biologist but your early days will not have low salary either. An entry-level marine biologist with less than five years of experience can expect an average salary of $49,000. This is a significantly high amount to earn for someone starting their way on the field. You can also probably earn more with overtime work, extra projects, etc.

Mid-level

A marine biologist that has been on the field for more than 5 to 10 years can expect an average salary of $51,000. This isn’t all that different from the average entry-level salary, but you can find plenty of top companies that pay higher than this amount. If you have the talent and achievements, then you will easily find more demanding work.

Experienced

An experienced marine biologist with 10 to 20 years of work experience can expect an average salary of $60,000. This is also relative to your achievements and the company you work for.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight.

 

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Comments

  1. Damien says

    November 14, 2013 at 1:30 am

    Im Researching the Steps And Proceedures To Take On this Profession
    Any Recommendations for what i Can be doing as a Young teen going through High School ?

  2. Johna749 says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    I really like your writing style, good information, regards for putting up this article

  3. ryan spano says

    December 10, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    I am 15 years old and I always wanted to be a marine biologist I’am in school now 9th grade I found this cite really use full thank you your information in amazing but I want to know how I can go to school to be this thank you from ryan spano

  4. sisi267 says

    January 31, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    I would really want to do marine biology but I don’t do maths I do maths literacy so how would I do marine biology

  5. Sarah Parry says

    March 1, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I am 15 years of age, always wanted to study marine biology, next year I will be in yr 11 and have the opportunity to pick those subjects and hope I succeed to study in university, I was wondering if marine biologist have specific safety requirements? if so, what are they or what website could I go to to find it?

  6. Jaco van Staden says

    October 15, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    I Jaco van Staden want to become a marine biology. Please is there some one to help me study for free. I am a hardworking person and this is my biggest dream my whole life.

    I can start immediately. Please help me.

    Thank you kindly
    Jaco van Staden

  7. เอมมูร่า says

    November 27, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading
    it, you happen to be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will often come back in the
    foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to continue
    your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!

  8. Tracey says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    At tuks if my daughter moves towards marine biology she does all the necessary subjects going into G10 she loves french and will add to matric would she gets points for this subject

  9. Hamutenya Karrel says

    January 30, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    I’m in grade 12 and I’m in wrong class which is social science but I use to do Biology,Geograpy and Mathamatics without chemistry and physics,,,but I like this course(marine biology) ,,it able also to qualify in this carreer?

  10. Annanias Daniel says

    May 15, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    I Annanias Daniel want to become a marine scientist. I obtained high marks in all my subjects required but I did not get a loan to go study. Anyone to assist me with a bursary ? Since this is my biggest dream,I cannot give up on it.

  11. Jonathan Eby says

    March 26, 2017 at 3:31 am

    Hey, my name is Jonathan Eby, I don’t know if you are still responding to this article or not, but I am becoming more and more interested in marine biology. I am currently in my sophomore year of college with a major in intercultural studies and a minor in environmental justice. However, I am having doubts about where i am currently heading. I grew up overseas in Dakar, Senegal as a missionary kid. I always loved going to the beach and swimming in the ocean (even went snorkeling a few times), and I always did well in my math and science classes. I came into college not really knowing where i was heading, but now looking back I wonder if this might be a worthy career choice. After learning more about how unexplored and how important the ocean is, along with my love of life, traveling, and adventure, it sure has become an exciting consideration. I found this article to be the most enlightening for what would lie ahead if I chose this path. What specific action(s) could I take now that would make or break my decision?

  12. Marina says

    April 7, 2018 at 1:14 am

    I need to know the age restriction

  13. Khadejay Wiliiams says

    September 9, 2018 at 5:59 am

    I was 9th grade when i first heard about this career path. I didnt know much about it but every time I was asked what i want to be in life, id reply by saying I want to become a marine biologist and so as i kept saying it , i became more serious about it. I did three of the required subjects and failed them not because i dont get science but due to some family issues i couldnt handle on my own. Anyways i am going to do all four subjects this year including the ones i faled and one other. This career path is calling out to me and i am determined to find out why.

  14. Jessie says

    September 14, 2018 at 6:59 pm

    A perfect way to get hands on field experience would be to take part in a Marine Science Field course opportunity abroad. We offer 2 week and 4 week Marine Science SCUBA Field courses in South Africa. Our students are those who are deciding if they want to take this career path, students who are currently studying and post graduates.

  15. Clayton Kosobucki says

    January 18, 2019 at 6:52 am

    Thanks for this article. It helped me on a boyscout project.

  16. Anish says

    January 20, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    @Clayton: Glad the information came handy to you. ????

  17. Sarah Joy Steyn says

    August 29, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    I just wanted to say thank you so much for this article . The way it has been written is so helpful and it gives a great sense of reality and yet it also gives hope for the rest of us 😉
    # up the good work
    -Sarah-Joy Steyn

  18. Keira says

    September 3, 2019 at 1:01 am

    Wow this really just answered all my questions! And has made me sure of the fact that I definitely want to become a marine biologist. Thank you

  19. kisa naqvi says

    June 27, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    I wantbadly to do mbbs and become a gyni r cardic r neuro surgon but now i have a lot of craze about marine scientist its amazing and a differernt ones

  20. Anish says

    June 29, 2020 at 8:18 am

    Good luck Kisa ??

  21. Anthony says

    September 10, 2020 at 3:48 am

    I like this article, I’m a 2nd year college, I enrolled BS Marine Biology, Marine Biologist, because this will help me to boost my confidence in facing what BIOLOGIST means, and how it helps me to improve my knowledge about SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS..

    SO HELPFUL, I Highly appreciate the information, so informative
    .

  22. Emily says

    January 10, 2021 at 9:17 am

    I really want to be a marine biologist. I have always been drawn to the ocean. Although I haven’t decided on what college I want to go to, I thought this website was very helpful.

  23. Anish says

    January 14, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Thank you Emily for the kind words 🙂

  24. Jarrod says

    January 23, 2021 at 3:47 am

    I’m 18 years old and this has been my dream job the only problem was that I didn’t take the right subjects and my Mark’s are low, is there still an opportunity for me to become any sort of marine biologist, any branches of marine biologist, if there is what must I do. Thank you

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