Does marine biology focus primarily on ecology?
Posted by 086vee@reddit | marinebiology | View on Reddit | 4 comments
I want to study marine biology at university (in the UK), and I'm just wondering what I can expect a degree, and further, to be like.
I actually tend to enjoy cellular biology, as well as generally the more, I suppose "invisible" parts of biology. It's that unknown of the ocean which led me to marine biology out of all the sub-disciplines.
edom31@reddit
This is a George Constanza question if I've ever seen one.
Sorry guys, couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Flopsieflop@reddit
My Master in biology (Groningen) was super open. So of the 120 ECTS 15 where mandatory courses and rest was free as long as your mentor agreed. I did my BSc in molecular Life Science so focussed my MSc on pollution and iron limitation in phytoplankton. I am currently finishing my PhD in pollution Modelling. So it definitely isn't always super fixed but maybe check the curriculum of the Uni where you steady and consider going somewhere else if it is too Ecology focussed. I could highly recommend Groningen.
JustAnotherBarnacle@reddit
If you are in the UK check out the courses at Plymouth. When I was there it had three marine courses, marine biology, marine ecology, and marine biology and oceanography. Each had a different focus, so for cellular it would have been marine biology that went into most detail in terms of marine animal physiology and function, or oceanography that dealt with biogeochemistry. I did the marine biology and oceanography course and ended up an ecophysiologist.
termsofengaygement@reddit
If you want to do cellular biology you could focus on plankton. If you want to do that I would consider a career in biological oceanography.