Marine Biology is a diverse subject area that includes the study of everything from SCUBA to marine ecology, and mariculture to aquarium technology. In your studies, you’ll be exposed to various forms of cutting-edge laboratory practice and studies – receiving the practical experience employers believe is vital in the candidates they seek.

As a CMU Marine Biology major, you will have opportunities to:

visit unique places where marine life can be studied, such as research labs and aquatic centers in Missouri, across the country and internationally
develop enhanced skills while using SCUBA equipment, underwater cameras, video editing software, sonar, marine vessels, and microscopes
become efficient in researching, calculating and tabulating information, compiling data, and presenting findings pertaining to marine life
be prepared for in-demand careers in biology, oceanography, marine and plant ecology, toxicology, and much more

This major prepares students for graduate school in marine biology or to work as a marine biologist. Opportunities include research in aquaculture, biodiversity, ecology, education, fisheries, pathology, invertebrate zoology, mammalogy, and toxicology. Combined with a basic back ground in general biology, marine biology is essential for continued monitoring of marine organisms and environment for recreation, biodiversity, and food production. All marine biology courses are taken in the summer at the Gulf Coast Research Lab at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The course work credit is given by The University of Southern Mississippi and transferred to Central Methodist upon completion of each summer's work. The student has the option of graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree or a Bachelor of Arts Degree.