Contact
Charles Tilburg, Ph.D.
Director, School of Marine and Environmental Programs
ctilburg@une.edu
Mission
The mission of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs at the University of New England is to help our students gain an understanding of the natural world, develop critical thinking skills, and become scientifically literate. Together we lay the foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful, productive contributions to society.
The Marine Sciences encompass a wide variety of disciplines that seek to understand the way the ocean functions, how it is related to earth systems science, and how humans interact with the environment. Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings and applications of disciplines from biology to chemistry, geology, and physics. These disciplines are critical to life as we know it on the planet. Students will be able to apply these disciplines to solving real problems, in ocean sciences and beyond.
Program Description
A marine science minor requires six (6) courses and can follow either of the two (2) concentrations in the major, Marine Biology or Oceanography.
Curricular Requirements
Marine Biology Minor
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 250/250L – Marine Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| Two (2) additional Organismal topics courses (see Curricular Requirements above) | 6–8 |
| Total Credits | 14–16 |
| Select one (1) of the following: | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAR 105/105L – Intro to Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms w/Lab or BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab and MAR 106/106L Intro to Cellular/Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms w/Lab or BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab | 8 |
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab and MAR 105/105L – Intro to Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms w/Lab or MAR 106/106L – Intro to Cellular/Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms w/Lab | 8 |
| Total Credits | 8 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 22 |
|---|
Oceanography Minor
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| MAR 105/105L – Intro to Ecology/Evolution of Marine Organisms w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 250/250L – Marine Biology w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 270/270L – Oceanography w/Lab | 4 |
| MAR 366 – Adv Oceanography I: Bio/Chem | 3 |
| MAR 368 – Advanced Oceanography II: Phy/Geo | 3 |
| One (1) course with MAR prefix | 3–4 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 21 |
|---|
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the University of New England for the 2025–2026 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters.
The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 30, 2025.
The University of New England reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.
While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.