Marine science is a rich discipline that combines studies from a variety of subjects in order to understand the marine environment, marine life, and their interactions. Basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics is essential for students to analyze the workings of marine systems and to appreciate the processes affecting marine life. Studies in marine biology are broad, spanning organisms from bacteria to whales, and spanning perspectives from entire marine communities to the biochemistry of molecules. Marine science plays a pivotal role in the continuing quest to understand our world and to manage its resources. The interdisciplinary nature of the Marine Science curriculum will prepare students to analyze critically such contemporary issues as environmental change, human impacts on the ocean, and biodiversity. The Marine Biology concentration provides training equivalent to a B.S. in Biology, but with a major focus on marine organisms - in the context of an overall appreciation and understanding of the chemical, geological, and physical environment of the ocean.