Marine Biology

Minor in Marine Biology

The interdisciplinary Minor in Marine Biology is open to all UW students with an interest in exploring life in the marine environment. Coursework in the minor includes exciting hands-on learning opportunities, such as field trips, internships, research, courses at UW’s marine field station, Friday Harbor Laboratories, and study abroad programs. We encourage students to declare the marine biology minor during their freshmen or sophomore years and immediately join a community of researchers and students interested in marine organisms, ecosystems, and conservation.


Admissions and prerequisites

This minor has no prerequisites! Current UW undergraduates can declare anytime by scheduling an appointment with the Biology advisor at UW Bothell or the Marine Biology advisor at UW Seattle. The Marine Biology minor can be declared even before selecting a major.


Program requirements

Visit the UW Seattle Marine Biology page for a description of the minor requirements and course options. To learn more about how to take courses at the UW Seattle campus, visit our cross-campus registration page.

Many of the elective options can also be taken at the UW's marine biology research facility in the San Juan Islands - Friday Harbor Labs!


UW Bothell course options

Currently, most courses for this minor must be taken at UW Seattle or Friday Harbor labs. However, some courses may be taken at UW Bothell to fulfill specific requirements:

  • B BIO 180 - Introductory Biology I instead of BIOL 180 - Introductory Biology I; offered Autumn and Winter
  • B BIO 330 - Marine Biology instead of FISH/OCEAN/BIOL 250 - Marine Biology; offered Spring
  • STMATH 341 - Statistical Inference instead of Q SCI 381 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics; offered all quarters
  • Other courses and B BIO 499 research will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

UW Bothell faculty

To learn more about the field of Marine Biology and potential opportunities for coursework and research at UW Bothell, contact Dr. Heather Galindo or Dr. Jeff Jensen.


Petitions

Contact the Marine Biology advisor at UW Seattle for information on petition processes.