Marine Sciences (BS): Physics Concentration
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Marine Science may be obtained by selecting one of five concentrations: Biological Oceanography, Chemistry, Geology, Meteorology, or Physics.
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources is available with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Resources.
Marine scientists explore all aspects of the seas and coastal regions, seeking to understand how the oceans, their biological communities, the solid earth and the atmosphere interact. As professionals with interdisciplinary training, marine scientists are needed to advise business, industry and governments on the potential impact of human activities and the wise use of marine resources. Marine scientists work for consulting firms; regulatory agencies; the mass media; business and industry; federal, state and local governments; academic laboratories; research and education organizations; and nonprofit environmental watchdog groups.
Contact
For more information about our marine science programs, visit our website or contact:
Maggie Puryear
Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs
mwpollar@ncsu.edu
919.513.1093
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Courses/Marine Science 1 | |||
| MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4 | |
| MEA 200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 | |
| MEA 210 | Oceanography Lab | 1 | |
| MEA 250 | Introduction to Coastal Environments | 3 | |
| MEA 251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory | 1 | |
| MEA 459 | Field Investigation of Coastal Processes | 5 | |
| MEA 460 | Principles of Physical Oceanography | 3 | |
| MEA 462 | Observational Methods and Data Analysis in Marine Physics | 3 | |
| MEA 495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1 | |
| Physics Concentration 1 | |||
| MEA 463 | Fluid Physics | 3 | |
| MEA 464 | Ocean Circulation Systems | 3 | |
| MEA 467 | Marine Meteorology | 3 | |
| PY 203 | University Physics III 1 | 4 | |
| PY 411 | Mechanics I | 3 | |
| PY 412 | Mechanics II | 3 | |
| PY 413 | Thermal Physics | 3 | |
| PY 414 | Electromagnetism I | 3 | |
| PY 415 | Electromagnetism II | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 2 | 2 | ||
| Basic Math & Sciences 1 | |||
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 | |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| CH 201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 1 | 3 | |
| CH 202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| PY 201 | University Physics I 1 | 4 | |
| PY 202 | University Physics II 1 | 4 | |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 | |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 | |
| MA 242 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| MA 401 | Applied Differential Equations II | 3 | |
| ST 370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | |
| or ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following Computer Science electives: | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Computing in the Geosciences | |||
| Introduction to Computing: Python | |||
| Introduction to Computing-FORTRAN | |||
| Introduction to Computing - MATLAB | |||
| Introduction to Computing - Java | |||
| Introduction to Scientific Computing | |||
| College Requirements | |||
| COS 100 | Science of Change 3 | 2 | |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | |||
| Communication for Business and Management | |||
| Communication for Science and Research | |||
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 6 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required in CH 101, 201; ENG 101; MA 141, 241; PY 201, 202, 203. No more than one D will be accepted in MEA core courses and concentration courses. No more than one D will be accepted in other basic math or science courses.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- 3
COS 100 is for new freshmen only. Transfer students will need to select a course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list.
Semester Sequence
Critical Path Courses – Identify using the code (CP) which courses are considered critical path courses which represent specific major requirements that are predictive of student success in a given program/plan. Place the (CP) next to the credit hours for the course.
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| MA 141 | Calculus I (CP) 1 | 4 |
| MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections 1 | 4 |
| COS 100 | Science of Change 3 | 2 |
| PY 201 | University Physics I (CP) 1 | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II (CP) 1 | 4 |
| PY 202 | University Physics II (CP) 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MA 242 | Calculus III 1 | 4 |
| MEA 200 & MEA 210 | Introduction to Oceanography and Oceanography Lab (CP) 1 | 4 |
| PY 203 | University Physics III 1 | 4 |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CH 201 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| MA 341 | Applied Differential Equations I 1 | 3 |
| MEA 250 & MEA 251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments and Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| PY 411 | Mechanics I 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| MA 401 | Applied Differential Equations II 1 | 3 |
| MEA 460 | Principles of Physical Oceanography 1 | 3 |
| PY 412 | Mechanics II 1 | 3 |
| Computer Science Option Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MEA 462 | Observational Methods and Data Analysis in Marine Physics 1 | 3 |
| MEA 467 | Marine Meteorology 1 | 3 |
| MEA 495 | Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences | 1 |
| PY 413 | Thermal Physics 1 | 3 |
| ST 370 or ST 311 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers 1 or Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| MEA 459 | Field Investigation of Coastal Processes 2 | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Advanced Writing Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| MEA 463 | Fluid Physics 1 | 3 |
| PY 414 | Electromagnetism I 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MEA 464 | Ocean Circulation Systems 1 | 3 |
| PY 415 | Electromagnetism II 1 | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Technical Elective 2 | 2 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required in CH 101, 201; ENG 101; MA 141, 241; PY 201, 202, 203. No more than one D will be accepted in MEA core courses and concentration courses. No more than one D will be accepted in other basic math or science courses.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- 3
COS 100 is for new freshmen only. Transfer students will need to select a course from the GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives course list.
Career Opportunities
MEAS undergraduate degree programs provide talented students with the foundation of scientific knowledge required for careers in government, industry, or academia. Many students pursue graduate degrees and pursue careers in industry, at government agencies and in academia.
Marine Sciences graduates go on to become oceanographers, to manage our coastal resources, model air-sea interaction, and explore global climate change. They conduct basic and applied research, serving as environmental consultants for industry and governmental agencies, policy and management experts for governmental agencies, and environmental science educators. Graduates with a Natural Resources degree are versed in the fundamental processes and interdisciplinary nature of the coastal zone. As scientists, managers, administrators, and regulators, they make decisions regarding use and conservation of coastal and marine resources.
Geology graduates address society’s needs for dealing effectively with earth processes, such as water resources and the stability of land forms. They work for engineering firms, permit-issuing agencies, and industries that rely on geological resources. Historical geologists are familiar with the evolution of earth through time and provide a perspective on potential long-term reactions of the earth systems to change. Those who concentrate in Environmental Geology are trained to assess and monitor geological resources such as ground water. Marine geologists are experts in the complex issues facing industry, municipalities, and residents in the dynamic and ecologically vulnerable coastal zone.
Meteorology graduates enjoy careers in weather forecasting, air quality assessment, development of weather products and services, broadcast communications, and advanced research. Marine meteorologists study ocean-generated weather systems. Their research is yielding practical benefits such as refined prediction of storm surge, which has streamlined evacuation efforts during severe storms along the Carolina coast. Meteorology graduates with an air quality emphasis work for environmental firms, regulatory agencies, and in applied research. Study of air quality and how air pollution is transported and dispersed is a rapidly expanding field in the atmospheric sciences.
MEAS graduates play a key service role for the State of North Carolina, assisting in everything from forecasting severe storms and analyzing the impact of atmospheric pollutants on agriculture and our estuaries, to determining the effects of toxic waste disposal on quality of surface and ground water.