From a Pond to the Ocean: A Guide to Marine Biology

Marine biology is the area of science that studies the ocean’s organisms as well as marine and brackish bodies of water. In its method, marine biology groups species according to the environment instead of on taxonomy. It also differs from marine ecology because marine biology studies the organisms themselves, whereas marine ecology centers on the interaction between the organisms and the environment. The scope of marine biology is vast, covering microscopic life forms like plankton and huge animals like whales.

What is Marine Biology

Marine biology is a science that studies a vast area of water. One habitat that marine biology studies is the small layers of surface water, where abiotic items and organisms are caught in surface tension between the atmosphere and the ocean. At the other end of the range is the habitat of the oceanic trenches, which can at times lie up to 10,000 meters underneath the surface of the ocean. Other habitats that marine biologists study are kelp forests, coral reefs, tidepools, the open ocean zone (where there is a rarity of solid objects and the water’s surface is actually the sole visible boundary), and muddy, rocky and sandy ocean bottoms.

Marine biology understands that marine life is a great resource that provides raw materials as well as food and medicine. In addition, marine life is also a resource for tourist industries across the world, supporting recreation. This science is highly important since a huge amount of the life on the planet lives in the oceans. Since many species are still unknown, marine biology is also important because of the potential for discoveries in the future.

· Ocean Portal: From the Smithsonian comes a website that covers everything there is to know about marine biology.

· Becoming a Marine Biologist: Answers the question of what marine biology is along with what it takes to become one.

· Define Marine Biology: Provides a basic definition of marine biology for anyone who is not familiar with it.

· Oceanography: Gives a brief but precise explanation of what oceanography (marine biology) is all about.

· What is Oceanography?: Provides a very point-blank, easy-to-understand run-through of what oceanography (marine science) involves.

· The field of oceanography: Explains to newcomers to the science what oceanography is all about.

· Major: Marine Biology: Explains what students of marine biology will be getting themselves into when they study this science.

History & Accomplishments of Marine Biology

Historically, marine biology dates as far back as the year 1200 BC, when oceanic voyages using celestial navigation began to be spearheaded by the ancient Phoenicians. It was only Aristotle and his writings, circa 384 BC to 322 BC, that first recorded the earliest particular references to marine life. In his writings, Aristotle specified a variety of marine species like echinoderms, crustaceans, fish and mollusks. He is often thought of as the father of marine biology because he is credited with first recording observations of marine life.

Marine biology’s modern study started with Captain James Cook and his exploration in 18th-century Britain. After Cook, Charles Darwin’s expeditions aboard the HMS Beagle contributed further to early marine biology. A huge accomplishment was delivered only a few years later by the exploration of the British vessel HMS Challenger, when the findings from this expedition filled 50 volumes and served as the foundation of future marine biology study for years thereafter. These successful expeditions soon led to the creation of marine laboratories like the oldest one of its kind in the world, France’s Station Biologique de Roscoff in 1859. In the 20th century, famous explorers like Robert Ballard and Jacques Cousteau made even further inroads into the study of marine biology.

· All The Sea: Provides a brief-but-concise history of marine biology that includes notable names.

· History of the Study of Marine Biology: Detailed history that covers ancient times and goes all the way to the present day.

· Marine Biology History: Supplies a brief history of marine biology, complete with drawings and graphs.

· History of Oceanography: Exceptionally detailed timeline of all the major events in the history of marine biology.

· History of Oceanography Quiz: A brief but informative quiz on some of the major happenings in marine science.

· History of Oceanography - a more complete look: Timeline and major names in the history of oceanography, which is provided by an actual oceanographer.

A Career in Marine Biology

Closely linked to biology, marine biology is defined as a branch of oceanography; it also touches on some ideas that are covered in ecology. Environmental studies, marine conservation and fisheries can all be thought of as offshoots of marine biology. Before deciding on a professional career in marine biology, the prospective student may want to consider his subfield, particularly because marine biology is a vast subject of study. The subfields in marine biology revolve mainly around studying specialties of certain animal groups. Phycology (study of algae), invertebrate zoology (study of invertebrates), and ichthyology (the study of fish) are examples of different subfields within marine biology.

Career options for marine biologists also center around picking a certain subfield in which to specialize. Some subfields relate to the study of physical effects to an adaptation of an environment that’s salty, the ocean in general, and the consequences of ever-changing, different oceanic properties on marine life. Marine biologists are dedicated to studying and preserving marine life while also educating people about it. One important misconception about marine biologists is people think they handle animals when in fact they do not. Zoologists more commonly interact with animals instead.

· Careers in Marine Biology: From the Southwest Fisheries Sciences Center comes an extensive FAQ in response to what is required in a career in the field.

· Biological Scientists: Detailed information on what to expect in a career in marine biology. Also includes information for other biology careers.

· Working in the Aquatic Sciences: Explains in detail what marine biology is and what a career in that field entails.

· Strategies for Pursuing a Career in Marine Mammal Science: Explains precisely what is involved in a career in marine mammal science, an offshoot of marine biology.

· Sea Grant Marine Careers: Talks at length about what is involved in a career in marine biology. Also features video interviews with those already working in said field.

· Marine Biology - The Revenge: A step-by-step walkthrough of what it takes to make it in a career in marine biology.

· Careers in Oceanography: Detailed explanation of what the duties are of a person working as an oceanographer.

Getting an Education in Marine Biology

Getting an education in marine biology requires attending a college or a university that provides a range of degrees in the science. These can range from either an associate’s degree all the way up to a doctorate degree. There is an extremely large number of options to choose from when deciding on your educational course in marine biology, since there is a lot to learn about life in the ocean. The science itself is usually a pursuit of graduate students, so you should first earn an undergraduate degree in a broader, scientific field of study like biology. If this is the course chosen, it is much desired to get an undergraduate degree at a college or university that also then offers graduate-level marine biology studies. If the college or university does not offer graduate-level marine biology courses, there is always the choice of taking weekend or summer courses at nearby institutions or even marine laboratories. At the conclusion of the studying process, newly graduated marine biologists may start their careers off in either a private or a government laboratory, where they perform research.

· Milstein Hall of Ocean Life: Web page from the American Museum of Natural History that teaches students about ocean life and ecosystems.

· Dive and Discover: Learn about the ocean seafloor and watch marine biologists make discoveries.

· Rutgers’ COOL Classroom: Website for the classroom under the Atlantic Ocean that lets visitors predict ocean conditions as well as see the ocean from different distances.

· SEA Semester: Lesson plans for teachers of all grades concerning marine biology. Lessons have been given awards in the past.

· Virginia Institute of Marine Science: Long collection of lesson plans, curriculum units and classroom activities all related to marine biology.

· National Geographic EdNet: Teaching resources for all grade levels that instruct about ocean life.

· EARTH - Pelagics on the Move: Use satellite technology to follow along with open-ocean animals who are on their migration routes.

Additional Resources/Information

Marine biology is a vast field that envelops many different subfields and disciplines. Accordingly, there are a lot of resources on the Internet that cover many topics related to marine biology. People who already work in the field of marine biology may be interested in the constant stream of news that emerges daily in the field of marine biology. Those who are new to the science of marine biology and are therefore interested in being able to learn more about it will be interested in basic primers and introductions to the subject. For those who only have a passing interest or a general interest in the science of marine biology, the Internet is a great resource on the subject. There are a great many websites devoted to informing the public about marine biology. Here are just some of those many resources.

· Science Topics: marine biology: Long list of links to a whole range of research and studies concerning marine biology.

· Ocean Motion and Surface Currents: NASA’s website on lessons concerning climate and the ocean. Includes information on energy resources, traveling and navigating oceans.

· Monterey Institute: Lesson modules involving graphic-based oceanography. Visitors can learn about plate tectonics to ocean currents.

· Dolphin Quest: Website for the international organization that is committed to the conservation of marine life.

· Consortium for Ocean Leadership: Website for nonprofit organization that is dedicated to leading the future of ocean technology and science by way of action and discovery.

· Sea Turtle Conservancy: Website dedicated to sea turtle conservation allows visitors to follow them on their migratory routes.

· WhaleNet: Website that lets visitors track whales and is focused on marine research and whale research.