Marine & Environmental Sciences

Overview

Human impacts on the environment are at the forefront of scientific, cultural, and political discourse, and biological and physical sciences are becoming integrated around major local, regional, and global environmental issues. A Marine and Environmental Sciences degree provides both integration and specialization in your science education.

Employers in every sector of the job market want college graduates who can think critically, solve problems, and develop new ideas. You’ll master all of those skills and more with a Marine and Environmental Sciences degree. Choose an integrated degree or select one or more concentrations.

Strong ties with employers in Anchorage provide opportunities for paid internships, senior projects, and full-time employment. Your academic advisor can help connect you to the opportunities that are right for you.

Degree Roadmap

Survey and Methods in Environmental Science takes you from designing research to collecting data in the field, analyzing samples in the lab, conducting statistical analysis, and writing up your results. This is where you learn and DO the process of field science.

Geographic Information Systems is one of the most highly sought after skills in the job market. This series of courses will prepare you to conduct complex spatial analyses using the most up-to-date technology.

Fisheries Ecology teaches you the science and management of commercial fisheries, which are economically and ecologically critical to Alaska, the US, and the world.

Concentrations

Marine Biology

The Marine Biology concentration allows you to specialize in the biology and ecology of marine organisms and ecosystems. With the changes to ocean ecosystems from climate change and other human activity this is an emerging area critical to the future of ocean health, ecosystem services, and global food security.

Fisheries

The Fisheries concentration trains you to work in fisheries management, with an understanding of the science, regulatory framework and policy, and management in the industry. This concentration prepares you for jobs in all three sectors – science, agency management, and industry.

Earth and Climate

The Earth and Climate concentration prepares you to understand how the physical, chemical, and atmospheric processes of the Earth combine to shape geology, glacial and hydrological cycling, and global climate. Through coursework in Geomorphology, Weather and Climate, and Oceanography you’ll learn how connected these systems are in terrestrial, marine, and aquatic systems and how they drive our interactions with the planet.

Ecology

If you’re interested in terrestrial ecosystems and organisms and how they function the Ecology concentration is for you. You’ll learn about ecosystem and organism structure and function, ecological interactions and communities, population biology, animal behavior, and the spatial distribution of plant and animal life.

Aquarium and Husbandry Science

Have you always wanted to work in an aquarium and care for animals in captivity? Then Aquarium and Husbandry Science is your ticket in! Learn to design and maintain aquarium systems, care for captive fish and invertebrates, and understand animal behavior. Participate in APU’s Scientific Diving Program for an opportunity to dive into the tanks at the Alaska SeaLife Center!

Institute & Program Area

Moving boldly, with curiosity and conviction – your future as a scientist starts now. Are you interested in the workings of the natural world? How glaciers are formed? How marine mammals dive to the depths? How fisheries are managed? The impacts of climate change? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Our programs in Marine & Environmental Sciences will help you address the most pressing questions in marine biology, earth science, environmental science and climate science in the 21st century. You’ll engage in cutting edge research with world class faculty, get out into the field to study natural processes in the pristine environment of Alaska as well as other locations around the globe. You’ll work with leaders in our collaborating institutions, agencies, and industry. And you’ll gain the critical thinking, deep knowledge, and real skills that will prepare you a competitive job market or further study and research.

Marine & Environmental Sciences Institutes

Marine & Environmental SciencesBachelor of Science

Overview

Degree Fit

Career Outcomes

An APU Marine and Environmental Sciences degree can lead you to:

Degree Roadmap