Marine Biologist

Marine Biologists use their skills in biology to focus on biological life underwater and its associated aspects.

Summary

If you spend time on a boat, snorkeling, or looking at fish tanks, you may quickly realize that life underwater looks incredibly different than animals and other life that lives on the surface. Biological diversity is incredible, as it adapts to its surroundings, meaning that organisms are designed to thrive in their natural environments. Because marine life needs to adapt so differently to live under the water, the entire field of Marine Biology is dedicated to its subsequent life!

Marine Biologists are interested with this very phenomenom of biological adaptation for living systems to their environments. These biologists study a wide range of organisms, while some researchers will study on very specific organisms and their functions. Wholistic ecosystem interactions between organisms is also studied, in addition to diversity of these systems (biodiversity).

Given that the Earth is composed of roughly 70% water, the study of life underwater and its protection is critical.

Educational Requirements

Marine Biologists may choose a number of approaches to obtain their career goals. Coming from a life sciences approach, a Marine Biologist may start out in a Bachelor's Degree in Biology or Chemistry and focus on living systems or ecology. Another approach would be to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences with a focus in geological siences, oceanography, marine sciences, or a similar field. Diversity in background is acceptable, and even welcome, as interested individuals pursue higher education in the form of Master's Degrees or a Ph.D. in Marine Biology and choose diverse research areas.

Salary Information 2023

According to salary.com, the average salary for a Marine Biologist in 2023 was $85,218.

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Information retrieved from salary.com