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Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors and their interactions with the environment. I will hopefully lead a research team to do my work.

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Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors and their interactions with the environment. Because there are so many topics one could study within the field, many researchers select a particular interest and specialize in it. Specializations can be based on a particular species, organism, behavior, technique or ecosystem. For example, marine biologists may choose to study a single species of clams, or all clams that are native to a climate or region.

Some researchers get involved in a range of activities. Alex Almario, a laboratory and field operations technician profiled on this site, provides field support for scientists conducting estuarine research. He reports that his many duties include: "boat operation and maintenance; water quality data and sample collection; wetlands, mangrove, seagrass and coral research; scuba surface support and diving; fieldwork; and wet lab ecotoxicology support."

One area of specialization, the field of marine biotechnology, offers great opportunity for marine biologists. Marine biotechnology research presents a wide range of possibilities and applications. One focus area is the biomedical field, where scientists develop and test drugs, many of which come from marine organisms.

Molecular biology is a related area of specialization in this field. Researchers apply molecular approaches and techniques to many environments, from coastal ponds to the deep sea, and many different organisms, from microscopic bacteria, plants, and animals to marine mammals. For example, molecular biology can be used to identify the presence of a specific organism in a water sample through the use of molecular probes. This is very useful when the organism in question is microscopic or similar to other organisms.

Aquaculture, the farming of finfish, shellfish and seaweeds, is another field that has been aided by marine biotechnology and molecular techniques. Aquaculture is gaining importance in this country as consumer demand for fish and shellfish becomes greater than can be met by traditional commercial fishing. At the same time, technological advances have made aquaculture more economically feasible.

Other popular areas within the field of marine biology are environmental biology and toxicology. Both of these areas have direct applications and implications for our society. Examples of specialities in environmental biology and toxicology include water quality research and the study of contaminants or pollutants in the coastal or marine environment. Laws, regulations and cleanup measures designed to protect the environment will ensure that marine and environmental biologists and consultants continue to play an important role in our society.

Another field of research within marine or aquatic biology involves organisms that have been around for billions of years: protists. Protists are singled-celled organisms that include protozoa and microalgae. Their importance as a group lies in the fact that microscopic algae serve as food for animals in aquatic food webs, earning them the title "primary producers." And since primary producers are mostly microscopic species, the organisms that consume them are often single-celled, microscopic species as well. If something happens to somehow alter populations of primary producers, the entire food web could be affected.

Probably the topic most often asked about within marine biology is research involving marine mammals, including cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and pinnipeds (sea lions, seals and walruses). The reality is that research jobs involving marine mammals are extremely hard to come by for a number of reasons, including the popularity of the field, the fact that working with marine mammals is highly regulated (most research is done using tissue samples of sick, stranded or dead animals and not on live, healthy animals), and because funding is very competitive.

Two popular fields of research involving marine mammals are bioacoustics and vocalization (the study of marine mammal sounds) and population dynamics (studying marine mammalian behaviors and responses to environmental conditions as they impact population). As for non-research employment options involving marine mammals, most positions would exist at aquaria, museums, and national and international conservation groups, though these are also highly competitive.

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Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors and their interactions with the environment. Because there are so many topics one could study within the field, many researchers select a particular interest and specialize in it. Specializations can be based on a particular species, organism, behavior, technique or ecosystem.

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A marine biologist is someone who studies all types of sea creatures, and can choose to specialize in studying large ocean animals, all the way down to microscopic organisms.

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A marine biologist is someone who studies all types of sea creatures, and can choose to specialize in studying large ocean animals, all the way down to microscopic organisms. Everything from whales to the plankton they eat, and everything else in between, can be studied.

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Not a lot is known about the deep sea trenches and what exactly lives down there, how, and why.

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Much remains to be learned from exploring the mysteries of the deep. From mapping and describing the physical, biological, geological, chemical, and archaeological aspects of the ocean to understanding ocean dynamics, developing new technologies, and unlocking other secrets of the ocean, NOAA is working to increase our understanding of the ocean realm.

The ocean is the lifeblood of Earth, covering more than 70 percent of the planet's surface, driving weather, regulating temperature, and ultimately supporting all living organisms. Throughout history, the ocean has been a vital source of sustenance, transport, commerce, growth, and inspiration.

Yet for all of our reliance on the ocean, more than eighty percent of this vast, underwater realm remains unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored.

Given the high degree of difficulty and cost in exploring our ocean using underwater vehicles, researchers have long relied on technologies such as sonar to generate maps of the seafloor. Currently, less than ten percent of the global ocean is mapped using modern sonar technology. For the ocean and coastal waters of the United States, only about 35 percent has been mapped with modern methods.

NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research is leading efforts to explore the ocean by supporting expeditions to investigate and document its unknown and little known regions. These expeditions are led by scientist-explorers equipped with the latest exploration tools.

Meanwhile, NOAA's Office of Coast Survey explores the ocean in a different way, employing hydrographic surveys to generate nautical charts. Since the mid-1830s, the U.S. Coast Survey (a NOAA predecessor agency) has been the nation's nautical chartmaker. Today, Coast Survey is still responsible for creating and maintaining all charts of U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and waters surrounding U.S. territories.

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Sonar, short for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is helpful for exploring and mapping the ocean because sound waves travel farther in the water than do radar and light waves. NOAA scientists primarily use sonar to develop nautical charts, locate underwater hazards to navigation, search for and map objects on the seafloor such as shipwrecks, and map the seafloor itself. There are two types of sonar-active and passive.

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national oceanic and atmospheric administration

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The ocean is the lifeblood of Earth, covering more than 70 percent of the planet's surface, driving weather, regulating temperature, and ultimately supporting all living organisms. Throughout history, the ocean has been a vital source of sustenance, transport, commerce, growth, and inspiration.

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The Deep Sea ~ Ocean biology, Marine life, Sea creatures, Marine conservation...

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Found out all about The Deep Sea at MarineBio.org

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This information includes the things I must be willing to do:

work in a lab

take a research semester abroad

do independent research

go directly to graduate school

get a job in academic science

volunteer with scientists.

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So you want to be a marine biologist? Well sonny, or sonnette, as the case may be, why don't you just sit down and let a real marine biologist give you some damn good advice. And wipe that smirk off your face, sit up straight and for goodness sakes stop fidgeting!

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ARRRRR ME HEARTIES!!!! So ye want t' be a pirate, t' sail the open sea searching for booty - what? You said a marine biologist? Oh. Well, sailing the open sea searching for booty is actually prohibited by UNOLS regulations - what? Oh, you wanted advice on how to BECOME a marine biologist. All right then. Fall must be the time when a student's heart turns toward the call of the sea, for I have received several requests for advice from undergraduate students.

And let me just get this out of the way - being a marine biologist is not about pulling golf balls out of whale blowholes or hugging dolphins. If you want to do that, become a wildlife veterinarian or a dolphin trainer. Marine biology is about figuring out the way the ocean works - and most of the ocean is not made out of dolphins. (That is too horrible a scenario to contemplate).

There are bad reasons and good reasons to become a marine biologist. Fortunately Dr. Milton Love has a convenient list which you should go read immediately. Go there now. Still want to be a marine biologist? Did you read the part about the smell? Ok, you're sure? Keep on reading this blog post, then.

The following advice is aimed at undergraduates, and is my personal opinion and should by no means be taken as the One True Way. I invite our marine biological readers (both academic and non-academic) to add their own suggestions in the comments.
GET YOUR ACADEMIC SCIENCE ON
You have to have a solid, traditional science background to be a marine biologist. This means the standard coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and statistics. If you want to take environmental studies-interdisciplinary-type courses, go ahead, but it won't do you any good without the basics. The easiest way to do this is to major in a hard science, but it is possible to major in something else so long as you do this coursework. You don't have to love all of it - please don't ask me about my grade in Organic Chemistry - but you have to do most of it reasonably well. I strongly recommend computer programming as well - scientists today live in a glorious sea of data, and you are going to have to know how to program in order to avoid drowning in it. (I spent a year and a half weeping into my R code - don't be like me!).

Assuming you want to be a marine BIOLOGIST, take lots of biology! Ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, invertebrate zoology...even if the course is not directly about marine science, you will be learning skills that can answer questions about the ocean. If you don't like advanced biology courses, well, you probably won't like marine biology.
FIND A WAY TO GET RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
So, marine biology is about learning how the amazing animals and ecosystems of the ocean work, but how exactly do we do that? RESEARCH! Classwork will give you the basics, but working in a lab or doing independent research is how you're going to learn how science is actually done. It is easiest to start as an undergraduate, since there are lots of opportunities and resources out there to help you. (More on non-undergraduate opportunities later).

You might notice that many of the things on this list involve talking to your professors. Getting to know them is one of the best investments you can make, though I know it's not easy, especially at large universities. But science professors (along with teaching) are also running a lab, doing research, talking with other scientists who are doing research, and have graduate students in need of help with their own research - so getting to know them is one of the best ways of getting your foot in the door. Also, you're going to need recommendation letters for most of the below list of programs, and it's pretty hard for a professor to write a letter for a student they've never spoken to. So go to office hours and talk to them - the best time is at the beginning of the semester when things are pretty quiet.

Here's a list to get you started:

Work in a lab. I got started in marine ecology when some weird guy I knew from student theater said that his lab was hiring undergrad assistants. I needed a job, and that sounded fun. Well, scanning several thousand slides (this was before digital cameras) was not exactly fun per se...but it got me involved in the life of the lab. I met the graduate students, went to lab meeting, and started to learn how this whole science thing worked. Many labs hire undergraduate research assistants, and it is a great way to learn about science while gaining some useful skills. So go to your professors' office hours and ask if there are any opportunities in their labs, or if they know of any in their departments.

Take a research semester abroad. There are many programs that allow you to go abroad, get course credit, and do science. They may cost more money than your usual tuition, but may also have financial aid programs. The two programs I know of off the top of my head are Sea Education Association (sail on a tall ship, learn oceanography and maritime skills) and Three Seas Program (coastal marine science in New England, the Caribbean, and southern California). Both of these program have a strong academic component (e.g., you'll do coursework in marine science) and emphasize independent research skills. No doubt there are more of these programs - if you have experience with one, please add it in the comments. [Update: Another program mentioned in the comments: the Williams College/Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program.] [Update II: Also CSU Marine Biology Semester at USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies].

Do independent research. The core of being a marine biologist is, of course, research. One of the best ways to get research experience is through the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. These are usually summer programs (though some are at different times of year) that set you up with a lab and and a mentor, and pay you a reasonable stipend (enough to satisfy most work-study requirements) to do research. You can search on their website for programs you might be interested in - here is the list of Ocean Sciences REUs. (I did two REUs as an undergraduate and they were both amazing experiences.) Another great resource is Pathways to Science, which focuses particularly on connecting underrepresented groups with mentors and opportunities. Your university may also have programs just for its own students - investigate by asking your professors and with the appropriate Student Affairs office. [Update: the MBARI Summer Internship.]
YOU'VE GRADUATED - NOW WHAT?
Once you are no longer a student, the path becomes more twisty and difficult, and some of the unfairness of the academic system kicks in. Here are your options:

Go directly to graduate school, do not pass go, and definitely do not collect $200. If you've majored in a hard science and gotten some independent research experience, you have the option of going directly to graduate school. (How to do that is a topic for another post.) While many excellent scientists have gone straight through, my personal recommendation is to take a year or three and getting some work experience. Enjoy not having homework and going out with your friends during the week. Being a bit older and more mature will help your sanity later on.

Get a job in academic science. Many labs have research assistants - people who are paid to help in the field or in the lab. These jobs can be an amazing way to get experience, to meet people in your field, and to go awesome places. Unfortunately, they are usually funded off grants, which makes them ephemeral and badly paid. Some only pay room and board, particularly those in exotic locations. If you don't have student loans and can stay on your parents' health insurance (and you are a traditional student in your early 20s) - these can be a great option for grand science adventures. If you have student loans and/or are not on your parents' health insurance and/or cannot just pick up and go to crazy locations, these may be very difficult for you to do. The best resource for finding these type of jobs that I know of is the ECOLOG-L listserv. Other paid options that people I know have done include working as fisheries observers or as educators at aquariums.

Get a job that is not in academic science, but will give you useful experience anyway. When I graduated from college, I had to take a job that would not only pay me, but give me health insurance. While I found it frustrating at the time, it actually led to unexpected paths that have proved very valuable - for example, the construction job that taught me about managing a large project (and about rebar! I love rebar!). When I was interviewing for graduate school, my construction job made me stand out from the crowd. Just be prepared to explain how your nonstandard experiences will help you be successful in marine biology. However, this works best if you also have a strong science background from undergrad.

Get a nonscience job and volunteer with scientists. Many labs and research expeditions take volunteers along. If you have a regular job but want to get into science, volunteering can be a great way to get your foot in the door. This works best if you have some time available during regular work hours, but some people take volunteers at night or on the weekends. If you have a really flexible schedule, it is possible to volunteer to work on an oceanographic vessel for the duration of a cruise (which can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks). The best way to find volunteer positions is to email people who you might be interested in working with - even if they are not accepting volunteers, they may know someone who is.
IN SUMMARY
To paraphrase Michael Pollan: "Basic science. Lots and lots. Mostly research."
MORE RESOURCES

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So You Want to Be A Marine Biologist: Deep Sea News Edition

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ARRRRR ME HEARTIES!!!! So ye want t' be a pirate, t' sail the open sea searching for booty - what? You said a marine biologist? Oh. Well, sailing the open sea searching for booty is actually prohibited by UNOLS regulations - what? Oh, you wanted advice on how to BECOME a marine biologist.

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Do you love spending time on the ocean? Are you interested in dolphins and whales? While many marine biologists study these intelligent and endearing creatures, there are several areas of study within the field. Marine biologists may study anything from the largest whale down to tiny plankton, microbes, and even the seawater itself. The sea and its denizens are facing the challenges of coexisting with commercial shipping, recreational boating, plastics, chemicals, and other issues associated with human activities. Marine biologists study how these activities affect marine life, and suggest alternatives to minimize or prevent them.

What Is a Marine Biologist?

Marine biologists study life in the oceans, and sometimes the oceans themselves. They may investigate the behavior and physiological processes of marine species, or the diseases and environmental conditions that affect them. They may also assess the impacts of human activities on marine life. Many marine biologists work under job titles such as wildlife biologist, zoologist, fish and wildlife biologist, fisheries biologist, aquatic biologist, conservation biologist, and biological technician.

What Does a Marine Biologist Do?

Marine biologists study marine organisms in their natural habitats. They may investigate a population's behaviors or physiology. Or, they may assess the condition of habitats, and the effects of human activity on those animals and habitats.

Their research typically involves conducting species inventories, testing and monitoring sea creatures exposed to pollutants, collecting and testing ocean samples, preserving specimens and samples of unknown species and diseases, and mapping the distribution, ranges, or movements of marine populations.

In some cases, they may recommend alternative industrial practices to minimize negative effects on marine species and habitats. They may also communicate their findings and recommendations by writing reports and scientific journal articles.

Some marine biologists specialize in marine biotechnology. In other words, they investigate the adaptations and advantages of marine species and how they might be applied to industrial processes. For instance, one biotech company has mimicked the structure of shark skin to create doorknobs that germs and viruses such as MRSA can't attach to. This is a promising and interesting area of the field.

Where Does a Marine Biologist Work?

The majority of marine biologists work for state and federal government agencies. These positions typically offer greater job security and more opportunity for advancement. Many work at private research laboratories or consulting firms. Others work for aquariums, zoos, and museums, or become faculty members in academia. Some become high school science teachers.

Marine biologists may spend a significant amount of time outdoors when conducting research. Fieldwork often involves working on ships to locate, tag, and monitor marine animals and their movements, and to collect seawater samples.

What Is the Average Marine Biologist Salary?

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't collect data on marine biologists specifically, they are included with zoologists and wildlife biologists. As of 2013, the mean annual wage for these professionals was $62,610, or $30.10 hourly. Those employed by the federal government and in academia earned more than those in state government and other sectors.

Table data taken from BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191023.htm)

Marine Biology Jobs & Job Description

While marine biologist careers vary significantly, at its basic level, this type of scientist specializes in the living organisms in bodies of water. Most marine biologists have an area of specialty - some study mammals, or fish, single celled organisms like plankton, or plants and coral. While duties do vary from job to job, but the list below includes job duties that one typically encounters as a marine biologist:

Review research and literature relating to current discoveries in the field

Collect field and control samples of biological samples and non-living media in order to perform analyses

Research the behaviour and relationships among organisms in the marine environment

Analyze the evolution and distribution of organisms and their environment in the ocean

Use and maintain instrumentation used to track organisms and measure the properties of the environment

Analyze the diversity and health of various components of the marine environment

Consult and work to rebuild damaged marine ecosystems

Use computer modelling to build predictive data for the marine ecosystem

Consult with stakeholders regarding programs to monitor pollution

Advocate for and monitor environmental compliance

Provide assistance to fisheries management and coast guard units as required

Senior Marine Biologists often have a more broad set of job responsibilities that focus on management and leadership tasks. These responsibilities often include:

Navigate various agencies and regulations in order to effectively monitor the ecosystem in question

Construct grant proposals to fund research and fieldwork

Draft scientific papers reporting research findings

Facilitate a positive and challenging team environment with clear communication and mentoring opportunities

Present research findings at conferences, and to policymakers and stakeholders

Communicate with the public to help educate about issues affecting marine ecosystems like climate change and overfishing.

Determine jurisdictions for various laws and regulations

Develop scope of work for projects as well as calculate project budgets and schedules Writes environmental assessments and impact statements

Shares data with consideration to endangered species advocacy organizations

What Is the Job Demand for Marine Biologists?

Jobs in this field are limited and competition is strong. BLS projects that job growth for zoologists and wildlife biologists as a whole will be 3-7% through 2022, slower than average for all occupations. Those with advanced math and computer skills will be at an advantage in the job market.

What are Marine Biologist education requirements?

A bachelor's or master's degree is typically required for entry-level marine biology research jobs, such as those at private research organizations and biotechnology companies. Doctoral degrees are usually required for faculty positions and other jobs that allow you to follow your own research interests.

While several schools offer programs in marine biology, many students graduate with bachelor's degrees in biology, zoology, fisheries, ecology, or other animal sciences. Classes in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics are also important. Classes on public policy, English and writing are also helpful for working on regulatory issues and communicating with others.

Other Degrees Related to Marine Biology

What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Marine Biologists Have?

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (https://www.aza.org/) is a network of more than 6,000 zoo and aquarium professionals and organizations. It offers animal management information, business benchmarking data, conference proceedings, grants and more.

With over 9,000 members, the American Fisheries Society (http://fisheries.org/) is the oldest and largest professional society for fisheries scientists in the world. The Society promotes professional development, networking, and information exchange among its members. It does this through a major annual meeting and several more specialized symposia. It also promotes student involvement, professional standards, and professional certification.

The Society for Marine Mammology (http://www.marinemammalscience.org/) advances marine mammal science through meetings, publications, and the development of ethical standards for the treatment of marine mammals. The Society organizes workshops, training opportunities, and student chapters. It also maintains a job board, as well as a taxonomic list of marine mammal species and subspecies.

Other Recommend Resources

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How to Become a Marine Biologist | EnvironmentalScience.org

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Do you love spending time on the ocean? Are you interested in dolphins and whales? While many marine biologists study these intelligent and endearing creatures, there are several areas of study within the field. Marine biologists may study anything from the largest whale down to tiny plankton, microbes, and even the seawater itself.

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This is a field where educational requirements tend to be fairly cut and dry. Few entry level positions may be available for those with a bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences, but the grand majority of research positions will require at least a master's degree in marine biology. Those who want position of authority directing research projects will need doctorate. In other words, if you want to do your own work, rather than someone else's, you'll need a Ph.D.

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Want to be a Marine Biologist? Find out more: What do they do, how do you become one, what is the job like?

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It’s hard to say exactly what a marine biologist does on a daily basis because there are so many different variables. But for most it involves their specialty and maybe a few projects but the general idea is research and study

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It's hard to say exactly what a marine biologist does on a daily basis because there are so many different variables. For instance, what a marine biologist chooses to do in the winter may be significantly different from what they do in the summer. Not only that, but marine biologists are employed by different entities who all want different things. For instance, to work for a university would be very different than working for a government agency. Likewise, working with an environmental conservation group would differ greatly from working with an aquarium or a fishery. Also, many marine biologists (backed by independent investors or government grants) travel to different countries or regions to conduct research. For the most part, it is very common that a marine biologist will conduct research, publish articles or books on that research, and teach at a university at the same time. In the timeline below, I will follow the life of this kind of marine biologist.

Morning:
The marine biologist wakes up early in the morning. The sun is just coming up as the biologist gets in the car and heads over to his field of research, in this case, the shoreline. Here the researcher samples specimens-this time clams. To get a better idea of the clams' environment, the marine biologist has been conducting tests on the water. He checks the salinity, the temperature, and the current. He records the data and places his sample clams into bottles so that he may take them to the laboratory for further testing.

Afternoon:
The marine biologist drives to the university and deposits the samples in a lab. He organizes them, takes a few notes, and rushes to his classroom in order to teach Introduction to Marine Biology. He spends an hour and fifteen minutes filling the minds of his students before heading back to the lab to check on the progress of his samples and conduct tests.

Evening:
Students from a more advanced marine biology class meet the professor in the university laboratory. They are conducting experiments themselves. The marine biologist goes around to each student: helping them wield new tools, asking pointed questions about their research, and making corrections to their data.

Night:
The marine biologist heads home. After some hearty food after a long day, the marine biologist settles in to work on his computer. He spends a couple of hours writing about his research for publication, and analyzing his data. After that, he works on his lesson plans for the next day. By the time he is through with his computer, that day has been quite long, perhaps ten hours, perhaps fifteen.

As I stated before, this is only one possible avenue to take in the world of marine biology. Many different lifestyles are open to you if you begin a life in this field. Becoming a university professor is ideal because it keeps you in the hub of all new scientific knowledge and it forces you to publish research (the old academic proverb being "publish or perish") in order to get marine biology grants for research. No matter if you are following seals' mating patterns in the arctic, exploring the hunting habits of the great white shark in Australia, or combing the coast for crabs, all marine biologists work long hours. So, it is important that you enjoy your subject, though it is hard not to enjoy salt water, coral, and mysterious underwater creatures.

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A Day In the Life of a Marine Biologist | Blog

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It's hard to say exactly what a marine biologist does on a daily basis because there are so many different variables. For instance, what a marine biologist chooses to do in the winter may be significantly different from what they do in the summer.

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Marine Biologists earn an average hourly wage of $37.32. Hourly wages typically start from $19.09 and go up to $59.94. Marine Biologists earn an average salary of $77,630 per year. Salaries typically start from $39,700 and go up to $124,680.

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Some Analytics for Being a Marine Biologist

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Some Analytics for Being a Marine Biologist

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These are the things that marine biologists themselves say about their jobs. It gives me a reference for if I would truly enjoy this line of work.

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Want to be a Marine Biologist? Find out more: What do they do, how do you become one, what is the job like?