Aquatic Biology Microcredential

Integrative Curricular Microcredential in Aquatic Biology, 9 Credits

This microcredential will allow students to develop expertise and experience in aquatic ecosystems, from rivers and lakes to coastal oceans and the deep sea.

Students will complete at least 9 credits of academic coursework:

1. BIOL 312 - Aquatic Community Ecology  
2. BIOL 317 - Marine Biology  
3. one skills-based course in methods applicable to marine research, including BIOL 314 - Biodiversity: (subtitle) , BIOL 340 - Modeling Biological Systems , BIOL 384 - Communicating Science , GEOG 286 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems .  Additional courses could satisfy the skills requirement after consultation with the microcredential coordinator.

​In addition to coursework, students will develop and carry out an integrative, high-impact project in aquatic research via either a Directed Study or an internship. Research projects in related fields of biology will be considered at the discretion of the coordinator. The high-impact project will involve active research experience and sharing of scientific findings, such as through a publication, presentation, poster, podcast, etc. During the microcredential, students will consider the relationship between freshwater and marine ecosystems and society, including through communication with local communities on lake health and developing posters on human impacts and complete a written self-reflection on their experiences in aquatic biology.