Marine & Environmental Sciences, BS
Marine and Environmental Science
The Bachelor’s degree in Marine and Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to study marine, coastal, and environmental systems through a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Recognized as a leading marine-focused undergraduate program among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the program emphasizes hands-on research, field and laboratory experiences, and critical analysis of environmental challenges affecting oceans, coasts, and human communities.
What can you do with this degree?
- Pursue careers in marine biology, environmental science, oceanography, or coastal resource management in government agencies, NGOs, or private industry
- Prepare for graduate or professional study in marine science, environmental science, oceanography, environmental policy, or related fields
- Work in environmental consulting, environmental protection, or sustainability-focused organizations addressing local to global environmental challenges
- Apply scientific and analytical skills in research laboratories, academic institutions, or science-based industry roles supporting environmental and marine initiative
Course Curriculum
Freshman Year – Fall Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| MES 105 Environ Sci & Sustain | 3 |
| MES 101 First Year Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 105 Intro to Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 105 Intro to Biology I Lab | 1 |
| MAT 151 Calculus I | 4 |
| ENG 101 Written Communication I | 3 |
| UNV101 Individual and Life | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Freshman Year – Spring Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| MES 102 Intro to Earth & Ocean Systems | 3 |
| MES 102 Intro to Earth & Ocean Systems Lab | 1 |
| BIO 106 Intro to Biology II | 3 |
| BIO 106 Intro to Biology II Lab | 1 |
| MAT 152 Calculus II 4 | 4 |
| ENG 102 Written Communication II | 3 |
| PE Physical Education | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Sophomore Year – Fall Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| CHE 201 General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 201 General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| MES 205 Field & Lab Tech in Marine & Envi Sci | 3 |
| MES 210 Eco Stats | 3 |
| PHY 203 Physics I w/Calculus | 3 |
| PHY 215 Intro Physics I Lab | 1 |
| PEÂ Physical Education | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
Sophomore Year – Spring Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| CHE 202 General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 202 General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| MES 220 Eco Stats II | 3 |
| HUM Humanities Elective | 3 |
| COM 103 Oral Communication | 3 |
| PHY 204 Physics II w/Calculus | 3 |
| PHY 216 Intro Physics II Lab | 1 |
| Total | 17 |
Junior Year – Fall Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| CHE 301 Gen Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 301 Gen Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| MES 452 Marine Ecology | 4 |
| HUM 201 Seminar in Humanities | 3 |
| HIS 106 World Civilizations II | 3 |
| SOC Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
Junior Year – Spring Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| CHE 302 Gen Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 302 Gen Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| MES 420 Fish and Fisheries | 3 |
| MES 304 Thesis I | 1 |
| MES 320 Climate Justice | 3 |
| SOC Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
Senior Year – Fall Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| MES 404 Thesis II | 3 |
| MES 525 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Bio. | 4 |
| SCI ELECTIVE* See Required List | 3 |
| MES 510 Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
Senior Year – Spring Semester |
|
| Course | Credits |
| MES 405 Thesis III | 3 |
| MES 410 Coastal and Oceanic Processes | 3 |
| SCI ELECTIVE* See Required List | 3 |
| MES 535 Ocean & Coastal Policy | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
TOTAL CREDITS 120 (includes 6 credits of science electives)
Elective courses must be 200 level or higher, except for APS, EGR, CSC courses. See Science elective list on back of this sheet.
If MAT 117/118 must be taken, students should consider taking those courses at a Community College prior to attending Hampton University.
Electives List
Keep in mind that any elective taken that is not on this list will not count towards your electives.
Marine Science/Oceanography:
- HU Courses:
- MES 301 Research course
- MES 310 Biological Oceanography
- MES 340 Food Web Ecology
- MES 418 Marine Community Ecology
- MES 426 Ichthyology
- MES 530 Marine Mammal Biology
- MES 538 Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences
- MES 550 Oceans & Climate Change
- MES 553 Ocean and Coastal Policy
- ODU Consortium Courses:
- OEAS 310 Global Earth Systems
- OEAS 418 Environmental Physiology of Marine Animals
- OEAS 405 Mollusks
- OEAS 406 Waves and Tides
- OEAS 412 Hydrogeology
- OEAS 432 Introduction to Thermo-and Fluid Dynamics for Oceanographers
- OEAS 451 Data Collection and Analysis in Oceanography
Environmental Science/Organismal:
- HU Courses:
- BIO 210 Botany
- BIO 220 Zoology
- BIO 340 Conservation Biology
- BIO 452 Tox/Venomous Animals
- MES 420 Environmental Chemistry + other chemistry
- MES 430 Ecology
- SCI 106 Intro to Nanoscience
- SCI 204 Earth Science
- ODU Consortium Courses:
- OEAS 303 Aquatic Pollution
- OEAS 405 Introductory Soils
- OEAS 412 Global Environmental Change
- OEAS 413 Environmental Geochemistry
- OEAS 419 Spatial Analysis of Coastal Environments
- OEAS 430 Hydrology
Environmental Geography:
- HU Courses:
- ANTH 331 Environment, Culture and Society
- ECN 408 Environmental Economics
- HSS 201 Topics in International Studies
- HSS 205 Our Urban Experience
- GOVT 391 International Environmental Politics
- PHYS 216 Energy: Problems and Societal Impacts
Genetics, Microbial and Molecular Biology HU:
- BIO 304 General Microbiology
- BIO 305 Principles of Molecular Genetics
- BIO 406 Topics in Molecular Biology
- BIO 407 Techniques in Genetic Research
- BIO 408 Genomics and Proteomics
- BIO 410 AB Micro Technologies
- BIO 432 Bioinformatics and Genomics
- BIO 450 Biotech Lab
- BIO 501 Microbial Ecology
- BIO 507 Cell Biology
- BIO 525 Applied Microbiology
Water, Climate and Atmospheric Science:
- APS 101 Weather and Climate
- APS 301 Climate and Society
- APS 315 Environmental Remote Sensing
- APS 405 Atmospheric & Space Weather
- APS 415 Observations of Stars & Galaxies
- APS XXX Research courses
Architecture:
- ARC 331 Adaptation to Sea Level Rise II
Other (SUS/ENG) campus at HU:
- CSC XXX Computer Science courses
- EGT 101 Intro to Engineering (2 credit course, must be supplemented with a 1 or 2 credit course)
- MAT XXX Math courses
- PHY XXX Physics courses
How to Apply
Prospective students can apply through the university’s admissions portal using the button below. The application process will require applicants to:
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalent documentation.
- Provide standardized test scores if required.
- Submit additional materials such as recommendations or personal statements if requested.
- Monitor application status for updates and follow‑up steps.
The information contained on this webpage is for informational purposes only. The Hampton University Academic Catalog represents the official repository for academic program requirements. Documentation can be found at https://home.hamptonu.edu/academics/academic-catalog/.