The Marine Science Institute provides a wealth of research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in marine science. Although MSI is not a department offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, MSI is affiliated with the following departments to support undergraduate and graduate education; History, EEMB, Geography, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Bren, Environmental Studies, MCDB, Chemical Engineering, Earth Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, College of Creative Studies.
Undergraduate Education Programs
UCSB offers a complementary portfolio of undergraduate pathways in marine, ocean, and environmental sciences, each with a distinct academic focus and approach to learning.
The Aquatic Biology B.S., administered by the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EEMB), is the most directly focused option for students interested in the biology and ecology of marine and freshwater organisms. Its structured curriculum combines foundational biological sciences with aquatic ecology, laboratory and field experiences, and electives in areas such as marine microbiology, coral reef biology, marine botany, and fisheries. They also deliver a degree program in Zoology.
Students can also pursue a Ecology and Evolution, B.S. or within the Department of Geography B.S. can also have an emphasis in Ocean Science the processes that shape biodiversity, adaptation, species interactions, and ecosystem dynamics, making it particularly appropriate for students interested in conservation, ecological research, and responses to environmental change. In contrast, the Biological Sciences B.A. and B.S. offer broader flexibility across biology, from molecular and cellular mechanisms to organismal and ecosystem-level processes, allowing students to incorporate marine science into a wider biological education.
The Marine Science B.A. in the College of Creative Studies (CCS) offers a distinctly interdisciplinary and individualized alternative. Designed for self-motivated students who want to develop as researchers, the program combines foundations in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, and scientific writing. Rather than following only a predefined disciplinary sequence, students work with faculty mentors to build a curriculum around their interests and pursue opportunities to design and conduct research, potentially beginning in their first year. Its scope extends beyond marine biology to areas such as physical and chemical oceanography, climate modeling, ocean technology, marine geochemistry, fisheries, and marine policy.
Although UCSB’s Marine Science Institute (MSI) is not a degree program, we complement the above degree programs, connecting undergraduates with interdisciplinary ocean research and training opportunities spanning multiple departments. We bring together researchers from across campus providing unique routes into multiple fields in marine science: specialized organismal and aquatic biology training, broad ecological or biological foundations, and an individualized, cross-disciplinary approach to ocean research and the ocean economy. UCSB is a world renown leader in marine ocean and coastal science, education, and outreach. All students coming to UCSB benefit from our ideal coastal setting, faculty research excellence in foundational and applied science and conservation avenues, and our unique access to locally engaged community groups focused on generating solutions to global issues surrounding our marine resources and the Blue Economy.
Hofmann research team in Antarctica
Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science
The Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara is a multidisciplinary program bringing together marine faculty from across the UCSB campus to provide graduate training leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Marine Science. The diversity of research interests, perspectives, and expertise within the program promotes the development of a broad foundation in marine science and appreciation for interdisciplinary approaches to education and research while also allowing students to develop depth in specific subdisciplines within the field.
Information on the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science may be found by calling (805) 893-8162 or by visiting the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Marine Science website.
