If you’re interested in ocean life and want to understand how marine organisms, habitats and ecosystems work together, marine biology offers a focused and science-driven path. Marine biologists study everything from microscopic plankton to large marine mammals, exploring how species interact with one another and respond to environmental change. This field gives you a deeper look at field research, lab analysis and ocean conservation. Here’s an overview of some jobs in this field:
- Marine biologists study marine organisms, habitats and ecological relationships, often conducting fieldwork and research to better understand ocean systems.
- Marine research assistants support scientific studies by collecting samples, recording observations and helping analyze data from marine environments.
- Fisheries specialists help manage and protect fish populations, balancing ecosystem health with sustainable use of marine resources.
- Wildlife rehabilitators care for injured or distressed marine animals and support efforts to return them safely to the wild.
Key skillsets for marine biology success:
- Field research: observe marine life and ecosystems in natural environments
- Laboratory analysis: study samples and data to understand biological processes
- Species identification: recognize and classify marine organisms accurately
- Scientific communication: share research findings clearly with scientists, policymakers and the public
- Conservation knowledge: understand how to protect marine habitats and support ocean health
At Arizona State University, its ocean futures bachelor’s degree programs are designed to support students interested in pursuing marine biology. Some of the courses you would take to prepare you for these career paths and skills include:
- SEA 101: Ocean Futures: In this course, you'll explore the science and technology researchers use to study Earth's oceans — and examine how human activity is reshaping them. You'll analyze current topics in ocean science, challenge your assumptions about environmental impact and evaluate sustainable solutions to the marine field's most pressing problems. By the end, you'll have a grounded picture of career pathways in ocean and marine-related fields.
- SEA 201: Ocean Conservation: The ocean doesn't exist in isolation and neither do the decisions that shape it. In this course, you'll examine the cultural, economic, political and environmental forces that drive human interactions with marine ecosystems. You'll assess how communities, industries and governments engage with the ocean today. Then, you’ll use that understanding to consider what those relationships mean for ocean health.
- SEA 330: Digital Blue Planet: Turn raw ocean data into actionable insight. In this course, you'll build practical skills in data access, analysis and visualization — including entry-level coding — applied to coastal and marine science. Working with real-world datasets, you'll interpret vector and raster oceanic data, apply spatial mapping techniques and investigate cases ranging from sea surface temperature patterns to coral reef monitoring.
- SEA 394: Marine Invertebrate Diversity and Evolution: From sea sponges to cephalopods, invertebrates make up the majority of animal life in the ocean. In this course, you'll study marine invertebrate diversity through both evolutionary and ecological lenses. Coursework has you comparing body forms, tracing adaptive strategies and building a framework for understanding how these animals function within broader marine ecosystems.
What is environmental science?
If you’re motivated by sustainability and want to solve environmental challenges across land, water and communities, environmental science offers a broad interdisciplinary path. Environmental scientists study how natural systems function and how people affect them, with a focus on issues like climate change, pollution, resource management and ecosystem protection. This field gives you a wider view of environmental problem-solving and policy-informed science. Jobs in this field include:
- Environmental scientists study environmental conditions, collect and interpret data and help assess how human activity affects natural systems.
- Environmental consultants evaluate environmental impact and advise organizations on ways to reduce harm and improve compliance.
- Sustainability specialists develop strategies that help organizations reduce waste, conserve resources and support long-term environmental goals.
- Climate analysts study patterns and trends in climate data to help communities and decision-makers prepare for environmental change.
Key skillsets for environmental science success:
- Environmental data analysis: interpret information to understand trends and environmental impacts
- Critical thinking: evaluate complex problems and identify practical solutions
- Geographic information system mapping: use geographic tools to study land, water and spatial patterns
- Policy awareness: understand regulations and sustainability frameworks that shape environmental work
- Problem-solving: apply scientific knowledge to real-world environmental challenges
Some courses within ASU’s earth environmental sciences programs that would prepare you for these skills include:
- BIO 130: Introduction to Environmental Science: You'll build a systems-level understanding of how the Earth works by tracing the connections between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere and examining how disruptions in one system ripple through the others.
- SCN 208: Nature and Society: An Introduction to Environmental Studies: You'll learn to think like a scientist by evaluating evidence, testing ideas and designing solutions to real global challenges. By the time you're done, you'll be able to make a credible, data-backed argument on environmental issues you care about.
- SCN 309: Topics: Flying Wild: This is where science leaves the classroom. Through field experiences and project-based investigations into water systems, wildlife and global earth systems, you'll apply critical thinking to real-world problems and bring what you learn back to your community through hands-on stewardship work.
- DAT 435: Data Science for Environmental Analysis: Using Python and real-world datasets from the U.S. EPA, USDA, Energy Information Administration and IPCC, you'll apply data science techniques to climate change, energy, agriculture and ecology. You'll build skills in carbon accounting, environmental footprint analysis and geospatial data visualization.
Combining the best of both worlds
Whichever path you choose, marine biology and environmental science both offer a strong foundation for understanding and protecting the natural world. Both fields involve studying ecosystems, analyzing environmental challenges and finding ways to support healthier communities and more sustainable futures.
These degrees also share several core skills, including research, data collection, critical thinking and scientific communication. Students in either field may also work with field observations, lab work and problem-solving approaches that help them understand how living systems respond to change.
Graduates from both paths can pursue careers that connect science to real-world impact, including conservation, environmental monitoring, policy support, education and research. In both cases, the work often involves helping people make better decisions about ecosystems, habitats and natural resources.
Some differences between the two include:
- Marine biology focuses more specifically on ocean life, marine organisms and the ecosystems found in saltwater environments. It is a more specialized path for students who want to study aquatic species, coastal habitats and the science of ocean systems.
- In contrast, environmental science takes a broader view of the natural world and often includes land, water, climate, pollution and resource management. It is a good fit for students who want flexibility across a wider range of environmental issues and career settings.
- Marine biology often appeals to students interested in hands-on research, aquatic species and ocean conservation. Environmental science is often better suited to students who want to work across multiple sectors, including sustainability, environmental policy, consulting and climate-related problem-solving.
If you are interested in a future-facing degree that connects ocean science with broader sustainability work, ASU’s ocean futures programs, which are also available online, offer an interdisciplinary approach.
ASU’s ocean futures programs are designed to build knowledge in ocean systems, biodiversity, human impact and resilient coastal communities while preparing students for careers shaped by science, innovation and conservation.
Whether you want to study marine life or focus on broader environmental issues, the ocean futures programs allow you to work on ocean-related challenges without being limited to a traditional single-discipline degree. If you want a future-facing path that reflects how environmental work is changing, then an ocean futures degree program could serve as a strong bridge between science and real-world application.
The ocean futures programs include:
- Bachelor of Science in ocean futures
- Bachelor of Science in ocean futures with a concentration in coastal and marine science
- Master of Science in coastal and marine science and management
Meanwhile, within ASU’s two earth environmental sciences programs, both programs are built around developing a deep understanding of Earth as a complex system, with learning outcomes spanning the physical, chemical and biological processes that shape our planet's surface environment. You’ll gain knowledge across natural resources, hazards, geology, soils, oceans and climate — all grounded in the implications these systems have for a sustainable human society.
If your interests lean more towards supporting the Earth in whole, then they might be the best path for you. These programs at ASU that would support these goals include: