A Career in Marine Biology

There are plenty of opportunities within the field of marine biology. If you want to pursue a career at sea, studying and protecting marine life, this is the best career option. A Career in Marine Biology Do you love spending time on the ocean? Are you interested in corals, whales, and other aspects of the oceans? Consider pursuing a career as a marine biologist or an oceanographer. There are several marine engineering courses after 12th that allows you to become a marine biologist studying endearing and intelligent creatures of the ocean. Although there are several areas of study within marine biology, you can study anything from the largest whale to microbes, down to the plankton, and even seawater itself. The ocean and its inhabitants are facing the difficulties of co-existing with commercial shipping, chemicals, plastics, recreational boating, and other issues related to human interventions. Oceanographers study how human interventions after marine life and suggest alternatives to prevent or minimize them. Eligibility for a marine biologist Marine biology includes the associated disciplines of geological, physical, and chemical oceanography. The minimum educational requirement for an entry-level job as an oceanographer is a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on marine biology. Most prefer a Masters degree in oceanography, and for university teaching positions and research, a Ph.D. in Marine biology is necessary. Marine biology incorporates several areas of study that includes energy resources and conservation, pollution biology, ocean farming, mariculture, reproduction and development, parasitology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, ecology, and systematics. What does it take to become a marine biologist? The most essential and basic trait required is an interest, appreciation, and curiosity for marine life and its environment. Other characteristics include: • Ability to work as a part of a team • Good communication skills • Excellent observation skills and attention to detail • Ability to conduct research • Strong organizational and computer skills • An inquiring mind with enthusiasm for work • Analytical and problem-solving ability Where does a marine biologist work? Although most of the oceanographers work for government agencies, there are private companies that offer countless options and more opportunity for advancement. Marine biologists spend a significant amount of time outdoors when conducting research and study. Research often involves working on vessels to trace, tag, and monitor marine environment and its inhabitants, and to collect seawater samples. With the popularity of eco-tourism, more opportunities are available within this sector. Conservation and government agencies, marine laboratories, environmental laboratories, coastal authorities, the water industry, and fisheries among others can employ oceanographers. A marine biologist may work in an oceanographic laboratory or as a laboratory technician in universities, where they may be sequencing DNA, examining tiny creatures under a microscope, or observing animals in a tank. They may work at college or university and do research on a specific marine species. On the other hand, some of the marine biologists volunteer for conservation activities while some do consultancy work in a freelance capacity. If you want to pursue a career in marine biology after 12th, you may want to pursue one of the following courses: • M.Sc. Marine Science • M.Sc. Marine Biology • Ph.D. Marine Biology