What is the Aquatic & Marine Biology Major all about?

        Dr. Alicia Schultheis discusses water sampling with students at Blue Springs.

Deland's Aquatic & Marine Resources:

        DeLand's local environment offers a real advantage to an Aquatic & Marine Biology Program.  Volusia County has an abundance of aquatic habitats.  Nearby we have numerous examples of pond, lake (Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge), spring (Blue Springs, DeLeon Springs, Gemini Springs), freshwater marsh, and cypress swamp habitats, as well as easy access to the largest river system in Florida (Hontoon Island). 

            Freshwater Pond                         One of Florida's many freshwater springs.     

    The local marine environment is also very diverse with habitats including mangrove forest, salt marsh (Tomoka State Park), oyster bars, seagrass beds, mudflats, sandy beaches, rocky beaches (Washington Oaks State Park), lagoons, estuaries, and the Atlantic Ocean within the boundaries of this county.  The local environment includes both preserved and human-impacted aquatic habitats.  The St. Johns River system and the Canaveral National Seashore contain some of the largest areas of protected wetlands and coastal habitat found in the United States.  These areas are managed by various local, state and federal agencies that will provide good opportunities for internships in Aquatic & Marine Biology.

                 Collecting algae samples in the Blue Springs run.

       Baby Green Sea Turtles are released at New Smyrna Beach and make their way back to the ocean. 

What classes should you take in High School to prepare for this program?

Standard college prep courses; including 4 years of English, at least 3 years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II (Precalculus is strongly recommended), 3 years of natural science (Biology, Chemistry & Physics), 2 years of social science, and at least 2 consecutive years of a modern language.

Students who have participated in International Baccalaureate Programs are awarded college credit for scores of 5 and above on subject exams (and may be offered for the same score on standard level exams).  Credit will also be given for a 4 on biology & chemistry higher-level exams.

Any further questions about requirements for admission or financial aid/scholarship should be directed towards the Admissions Office.

Degree Requirements:

        To receive a Bachelor of Sciences degree, students must complete the General Education Requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences in addition to 58 hours of specific requirements for the A&MB major:

Lower Division Requirements: (32 hrs)

Upper Division Requirements: (22 hrs)

Other:

What kinds of projects do our students conduct for Senior Research?

-The Effects of Dissolved Oxygen and Flow on the Distribution of Fish in a Florida Spring.

-An Analysis of Human Disturbances on Vegetation of Lake Disston, Florida.

-Distribution of Mollusk Shells along South Ponce Inlet.

-Gene Flow and Dispersal among Populations of the Stone fly Peltoperla arcuata in the

     Southern Appalachians.

-Mortality and Distribution of the Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) along

     the Atlantic Coast of Florida.

-Land management effects on Pond Ecology.

Faculty in Aquatic and Marine Biology:

If you have additional questions about the program, please contact Dr. Gibbs.  If you would like to receive a Fact Sheet or further information about Stetson University, please contact our Admissions Office.

This page was last updated on 07/30/04.