Overview

Faculty expertise encompasses several major areas of modern biology including evolutionary, ecological, organismic, physiological, biochemical, and genetic processes of marine animals and microorganisms. The Marine Biology program is offered by the University of California, San Diego.

Studies ranging from spatial ecology of coral reef ecosystems to the role of the marine microbiome in food web dynamics are being investigated in over thirty independent research laboratories.

Students admitted to Ocean Bioscience Program (OBP) are assigned an advisor, who is a chair of the three-person guidance committee. Students are assigned to a curricular group based on their interests.

Although students may change curricular groups near the beginning of the year, they must commit to a curricular group early on because this determines which departmental exam they will take.

During the year, students may be supported in a variety of ways. After the first year, the guidance committee is dissolved and the research advisor, and eventually the dissertation committee, provide guidance.

Examples of current research activities include:

Marine microbiology

Algae biofuels and biotechnology

Genomics, metagenomics, and bioinformatics

Cell and developmental biology

Physiology and biochemistry of marine animals

Biomechanics and biomaterials

Ecotoxicology

Photobiology

Parasitology

Animal behavior and behavioral ecology

Deep-sea biology

Phylogeny and taxonomy of marine animals

Biogeography or marine populations

Evolutionary genomics and molecular ecology of marine organisms

Biodiversity, ecology, and conservation of marine ecosystems

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Physical Oceanography

Marine Chemistry

Biological Oceanography

Marine Physiology

Phycology: Marine Plant Biology

Marine Microbial Ecology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-03 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Diego, United States

Disciplines

Marine Science View 27 other PhDs in Marine Science in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Candidates for admission should have a bachelor's (BS) or master's degree in one of the physical, biological, or earth sciences; in some cases a degree in mathematics or engineering science is accepted.

A scholastic average of B or better (3.0) in upper-division courses, or prior graduate study, is required.
A major in one of the biological sciences (or equivalent), with basic course work in botany, microbiology, or zoology; two years of chemistry, including organic chemistry, is required. Training in one or more of the following areas is strongly recommended: cellular biology, molecular biology, comparative physiology, genetics, developmental biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, microbiology, and/or botany.
Biochemistry and physical chemistry will be expected of students in experimental biology, although the student may, if necessary, enroll in these courses at UC San Diego after admission.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

36477 USD / year

≈ 36477 USD / year
Out-of-State

36477 USD / year

≈ 36477 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

21375 USD / year

≈ 21375 USD / year

Living costs

San Diego

United States

1400 - 2455 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Marine Biology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Examples of current research activities include:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

San Diego

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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