Bachelor of Science with a Major in Marine Biology Degree Requirements
Use the following tables to plan for a Major in Marine Biology*. Current, as well as prospective UW students are invited to use the MyPlan online academic planning tool to create a full academic plan over quarters and years. In addition to the tables below, students can also download or print the following requirements worksheet:
Marine Biology Major Requirements Worksheet
2025 A&O Recommendations for Incoming Students
The worksheet and tables are good for broad academic planning, but course offerings vary by quarter and year. To view the detailed quarterly list of courses relevant to our program, please visit the Marine Biology Courses page.
Detailed List of Marine Biology Courses by Quarter
General Education requirements
Students are required to complete the general education requirements of the College of the Environment. Some of the credits applied to these requirements may also fulfill major requirements.
College of the Environment General Education Requirements
In addition to the general education requirements, a UW student earning any Bachelor’s degree must meet the following University requirements:
- Earn a total minimum of 180 quarter credits
- A minimum of 45 credits taken as a matriculated University of Washington student (a minimum of 45 of your final 60 credits must be taken at the UW)
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
Foundation Courses in Science and Mathematics
Chemistry
Choose one of the following sequences (10-15 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered | |
| 1. | CHEM 120 | Principles of Chemistry I | 5 | A |
| OCEAN 295 | Chemistry of Marine Organic Carbon | 5 | W, Sp | |
| 2. | CHEM 120 | Principles of Chemistry I | 5 | A |
| CHEM 220 | Principles of Chemistry II | 5 | W | |
| 3.* | CHEM 142 | General Chemistry I | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su | |
| OCEAN 295 | Chemistry of Marine Organic Carbon | 5 | W, Sp | |
| 4.*⁺ | CHEM 142 | General Chemistry I | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su | |
| CHEM 223 | Organic Chemistry – Short Program | 4 | A, Su |
* CHEM 143, 153 and 145, 155 are pre-approved substitutes for CHEM 142 and 152.
⁺ CHEM 237 pre-approved to substitute for CHEM 223
Biology
Three courses (15 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered |
| BIOL 180 | Introductory Biology I | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| BIOL 200 | Introductory Biology II | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
and one of:
| FISH/OCEAN/MARBIO 270 | Aquatic Ecophysiology | 5 | W |
| BIOL 220 | Introductory Biology III | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
Statistics
Choose one (5 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered |
| Q SCI 381 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| STAT 311 | Elements of Statistical Methods | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
Math
Choose one of the following sequences (10 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered | |
| 1. | Q SCI 291 | Calculus for Natural Systems I: Derivatives | 5 | A, W, Sp |
| Q SCI 292 | Calculus for Natural Systems II: Integrals | 5 | W, Sp | |
| 2. | MATH 124 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| MATH 125 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
Physics
Choose one of the following sequences (8-10 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered | |
| 1. | PHYS 114 | General Physics I | 4 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| PHYS 115 | General Physics II | 4 | A, W, Sp, Su | |
| 2. | PHYS 121 | Mechanics | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| PHYS 122 | Electromagnetism | 5 | A, W, Sp, Su | |
| 3. | PHYS 114 or PHYS 121 (choose one) | General Physics I/Mechanics | 4/5 | A, W, Sp, Su |
| OCEAN 285 & OCEAN 286 | Physics Across Oceanography: Fluid Mechanics and Waves (with lab) | 5 | A |
Introduction to the Marine Environment
Introductory Marine Science
Choose one (5 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered |
| FISH/OCEAN/BIOL 250 | Marine Biology | 5 | A |
| OCEAN 200 & 201 | Introduction to Oceanography, Introduction to Oceanography Lab | 3, 2 | Sp |
Integrative Oceans
One course (4 cr.):
| OCEAN 210 | Integrative Oceans | 4 | A, Sp |
Communication
choose one (3-5 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered |
| MARBIO 305 | Scientific Writing in Marine Biology | 3 | A, W, Sp |
Note: FHL 333: Science Writing for Diverse Audiences is still an approved course alternative to MARBIO 305 to fulfil the Communication requirement, but the course is currently not offered at Friday Harbor Labs.
Marine Biology Core
Three courses (15 cr.):
| Course number | Title | Credits | Offered |
| FISH 323 | Conservation and Management of Aquatic Resources | 5 | W |
| MARBIO/FISH/OCEAN 370 | Marine Evolutionary Biology | 5 | Sp |
| OCEAN 330 | Marine Biogeochemical Cycles | 5 | Sp |
Electives
Students develop content knowledge and skills through a large selection of courses offered at the upper-division level through the School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, the School of Oceanography, the Department of Biology, and the Friday Harbor Laboratories. Students complete electives from the department’s approved list to meet the following requirements:
Elective credit requirements
- Minimum of 25 credits total from the department’s approved list
Category requirements
- Biodiversity (1 course minimum)
- Ecology and Ecosystems (1 course minimum)
- Organismal Processes (1 course minimum)
- Additional elective courses to bring total credits to 25
Additional requirements
- Minimum of 3 courses at the 400-level
- Minimum of 2 courses taken with lab sections
- No more than 6 credits total of independent research or internship
Integrative Field Experience
Culminating requirement of the major, which has all students spending at least three weeks in the field away from the Seattle Campus. Most options involve studying in residence at Friday Harbor Labs, the UW’s marine field station on San Juan Island. See the page below for details on the requirement and eligible courses.
Integrative Field Experience requirement
- Minimum 6 credits from the approved list
* If you were a student enrolled prior to the Fall 2021 semester, click here to view the previous major requirements.