Best Marine Biology Universities and Programs in the World
The study of marine animals, their behavior, and their interactions with the environment are known as marine biology. To comprehend marine species, marine biologists study biological oceanography and the related sciences of chemical, physical, and geological oceanography.
Marine biology contributes to our understanding of marine geology by studying creatures that deposit their skeletal remains on ocean floors or create the huge coral reefs of the tropic seas. The study of how ocean events regulate organism dispersion is a major goal of marine biology.
Marine Biology is a great topic of study for many students. It offers a diverse range of professional options. Marine biologists can work in a wide range of fields. They can work as researchers, professors, or administrators at colleges and universities. This in turn is the reason for the large number of international students studying this subject. Some additional facts about this program are:
- A bachelor’s degree in Marine biology is generally 4 years in length.
- The average cost of a Marine biology degree can range anywhere from $10,000 to $50000 per annum depending on the University and place chosen for study.
- The most popular courses are BSc and MSc in Marine Biology.
- Some of the best Universities for Marine biology are the University of Washington, and the University of California-San Diego.
Duties of Marine Biologists
As a marine biologist, your responsibilities may include the following:
- Collecting samples and data utilizing methods such as coring techniques, geographic information systems (GIS), visual recording, and sampling analyzing samples in the lab, and producing new research theories from them.
- Preserving unknown species and disease specimens and tracking the occurrence, ranges, and migrations of marine populations.
- Disseminating the most recent breakthroughs in marine research to the general public, governments, agencies, and businesses.
- Conducting environmental impact analyses assessing the possible environmental consequences of a proposed project or development, including socioeconomic, cultural, and human-health consequences.
- Interacting with local divers, fishermen, and stakeholders who are interviewed on animal behavior and local maritime practices.
- And many more…
Popular degrees for pursuing a career in Micro Biology
A four-year bachelor’s degree in marine biology is divided into eight semesters. Marine biology courses differ from one college to the next. Among the topics covered in marine biology are
Popular bachelor’s programs in Marine Biology
- BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology
- Bachelor in Marine Science Biology
- B.S Marine Technology
- BSc(Hons) in Marine and Terrestrial Conservation
- BSc(Hons) in Marine Science
The goal of a master’s degree in marine biology is to provide advanced training in multidisciplinary marine biology. It equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to examine and comprehend marine ecosystems. This program normally lasts two years. Among the most well-known are:
Popular master’s programs in Marine Biology
- MSc in Marine Biology
- Master of Marine Conservation
- Master of Science in Marine Sciences
- MSc in Marine Science and Climate Change
- Master in Coastal and Marine Management
Specializations in Marine Biology
From tiny plankton to huge sharks and whales, marine biologists examine a diverse range of aquatic species. These are among the most popular specialties among marine biologists:
- Phycology
- Ichthyology
- Invertebrate zoology
- Marine mammalogy
- Fishery biology
- Marine biotechnology
- Marine microbiology
- Marine ecology
Specialization in the study of a single species is also prevalent.
Here are all potential employers for marine biologists:
- Zoos
- Aquariums
- Governmental organizations
- Labs
- Educational institutions
- Museums
- Periodicals,
- Environmental advocacy or conservation groups
- Consulting firms
- The US Navy, and the US Coast Guard
Duration of programs in Micro Biology
| Country | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
| the USA and Canada | 4 years | 15 months – 2 years |
| UK | 4 years | 1-2 years |
| Australia | 4 years | 1-2 years |
| Others | 3-4 years | 2 years |
Career opportunities in Marine Biology
Bachelor Degree Prospects
A bachelor’s degree in marine biology takes at least four years to complete and additional time to complete at the graduate level. Students can take courses in marine ecology, conservation and management, marine physiology, and marine evolutionary biology as part of an undergraduate marine biology major. Here are some of the available jobs after completion of this degree:
- Horticulturist
- Research technician
- Laboratory technician
- Microbiologist
- Marine biologist
- Natural resource technician
- Environmental planner
Master Degree Prospects
Successful students in this discipline have some of the best job chances after Masters in Marine Biology, and post-graduates establish interesting and diverse professions in a variety of industries. As a post-graduate, a job in the following industries are available:
- Oil and gas industry
- Aquaculture systems and ocean renewables
- Marine Biology Underwater
- Marine and offshore operations risk management
- Ocean renewable energy and ocean oil and gas
- Exploration businesses
Average salaries for Marine Biologists
Within the discipline of marine biology, a marine biologist studies and investigates creatures, both plants, and animals. Animals and plants that live in salty bodies of water are studied in this field. The following are the average salaries for marine biologists:
| Country | Average salary in USD*/year |
| Australia | $55456
/ year |
| UK | $41757
/ year |
| USA | $71,196
/ year |
| Germany | $64258
/ year |
| Canada | $49442
/ year |
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Top 50 universities in the world for Marine Biology based on subject rankings
| Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | =10 | University of Washington | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 2 | 21 | University of California, San Diego | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 3 | NA | Sorbonne University | France | Click here | Click here |
| 4 | =36 | University of Southampton | UK | Click here | Click here |
| 5 | 51-100 | Oregon State University | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 6 | 20 | Utrecht University | Netherlands | Click here | Click here |
| 7 | 51-100 | University of Bremen | Germany | NA | NA |
| 8 | NA | University of Tasmania | Australia | Click here | Click here |
| 9 | =10 | Columbia University | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 10 | 38 | University of Bergen | Norway | Click here | Click here |
| 11 | 51-100 | University of Miami | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 12 | 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 13 | NA | University of Western Brittany | France | NA | NA |
| 14 | 7 | California Institute of Technology | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 15 | NA | Ocean University of China | China | NA | NA |
| 16 | 51-100 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 17 | 101-150 | Technical University of Denmark | Denmark | Click here | Click here |
| 18 | 51-100 | University of California, Santa Cruz | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 19 | 19 | Princeton University | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 20 | 151-200 | Aix Marseille University | France | NA | NA |
| 21 | =32 | The University of Western Australia | Australia | Click here | Click here |
| 22 | NA | Paul Sabatier University (Toulouse 3) | France | NA | NA |
| 23 | 101-150 | Florida State University | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 24 | =45 | The University of New South Wales | Australia | Click here | Click here |
| 25 | 12 | University of California, Los Angeles | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 26 | 8 | Stanford University | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 27 | 44 | University of California Santa Barbara | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 28 | NA | University of Alaska- Fairbanks | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 29 | =40 | Delft University of Technology | Netherlands | Click here | Click here |
| 30 | NA | University of Strathclyde | UK | Click here | Click here |
| 31 | NA | Shanghai Jiao Tong University | China | NA | NA |
| 32 | 151-200 | University of Delaware | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 33 | 101-150 | University of Hamburg | Germany | NA | NA |
| 34 | NA | University of South Florida | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 35 | 15 | University of British Columbia | Canada | Click here | Click here |
| 36 | 151-200 | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 37 | 101-150 | University of Liverpool | UK | Click here | Click here |
| 38 | 51-100 | Dalhousie University | Canada | Click here | Click here |
| 39 | 151-200 | University of Plymouth | UK | Click here | Click here |
| 40 | 5 | University of Oxford | UK | Click here | Click here |
| 41 | NA | Xiamen University | China | NA | NA |
| 42 | 51-100 | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science | USA | NA | NA |
| 43 | =40 | Texas A&M University | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 44 | NA | University of Lisbon | Portugal | NA | NA |
| 45 | 13 | The University of Tokyo | Japan | NA | NA |
| 46 | 26 | University of Colorado at Boulder | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 47 | NA | University of Maine | USA | Click here | Click here |
| 48 | 51-100 | Stockholm University | Sweden | Click here | Click here |
| 48 | 101-150 | University of Cape Town | South Africa | NA | NA |
| 50 | NA | Old Dominion University | USA | Click here | Click here |
Top universities in the USA for Marine Biology
| Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | University |
| 1 | =10 | University of Washington |
| 2 | 21 | University of California, San Diego |
| 5 | 51-100 | Oregon State University |
| 9 | =10 | Columbia University |
| 11 | 51-100 | University of Miami |
| 12 | 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| 14 | 7 | California Institute of Technology |
| 16 | 51-100 | University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| 18 | 51-100 | University of California, Santa Cruz |
| 19 | 19 | Princeton University |
| 23 | 101-150 | Florida State University |
| 25 | 12 | University of California, Los Angeles |
| 26 | 8 | Stanford University |
| 27 | 44 | University of California, Santa Barbara |
| 28 | NA | University of Alaska- Fairbank |
| 32 | 151-200 | University of Delaware |
| 34 | NA | University of South Florida |
| 36 | 151-200 | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey – New Brunswick |
| 42 | 51-100 | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science |
| 42 | =40 | Texas A&M University |
| 46 | 26 | University of Colorado at Boulder |
| 47 | NA | University of Maine |
| 50 | NA | Old Dominion University |
Top universities in the UK for Marine Biology
| Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | University |
| 4 | =36 | University of Southampton |
| 30 | NA | University of Strathclyde |
| 37 | 101-150 | University of Liverpool |
| 39 | 151-200 | University of Plymouth |
| 40 | 5 | University of Oxford |
Top universities in France for Marine Biology
| Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | University |
| 3 | NA | Sorbonne University |
| 13 | NA | University of Western Brittany |
| 20 | 151-200 | Aix Marseille University |
| 22 | NA | Paul Sabatier University |
Top universities in Germany for Marine Biology
| Shanghai Ranking | QS Ranking | University |
| 7 | 51-100 | University of Bremen |
| 33 | 101-150 | University of Hamburg |
Academic requirements for studying Marine Biology
Studying to become a marine biologist entails meeting specific standards and adhering to a number of processes. Because a degree in marine biology allows a person to learn about the entire marine fauna and flora, obtaining a degree in the field requires a great deal of perseverance and dedication in order to not only obtain the necessary qualifications but also to emerge as a professional and dedicated marine biologist. Here are the Academic requirements for doing so:
- Secondary school graduation (Grade 12)
- The minimal overall average required in five academic Grade 12 courses for your program of interest.
- A passing grade in academic English and any other necessary subject in Grade 12
Additionally, you may also need
- Academic English of Grade 12
- Pre-calculus Math of Grade 12
- Additional academic subjects as per the regulations of your University of choice
You can also apply through the Gyanberry website, for ease of admission into any college of your choice and timely application.