3 Top Marine Biology Colleges in Alaska|Program Details

The marine biology colleges in Alaska are colleges that offer courses that study animals and plants that live in the ocean to understand their biology, behaviour and ecosystems.

Marine biologists analyse how different species interact with one another, and how human life may impact them.

Marine biologists work with animals that live in the ocean. They are one of the two types of aquatic biologists: marine biologists and limnologists.

Job Growth for marine biologists is speculated at 5% growth (for zoologists and wildlife biologists).

The median salary for Marine biologists was $66,350 (for zoologists and wildlife biologists), for the year 2020, according to the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics.

In this article, we will be looking at the marine biology colleges in Alaska.

Education Field of Study

Marine biology; specialties include photobiology & deep-sea biology

Key Skills

Field research, applied research, molecular biology, biochemistry; ability to live at sea in cold, uncomfortable, & possibly dangerous conditions for extended periods.

What Education Do I Need To Be a Marine Biologist?

In the marine biology colleges in Alaska, almost all marine biologists who do basic research hold a doctoral degree.

Doctoral-level education in this field equips you with a comprehensive knowledge of:

  • physiological
  • genomic
  • organismic
  • evolutionary and
  • biochemical processes of saltwater organisms

In addition, it helps you understand the relationship between the organisms, their processes and their physical and biotic environments.

PhD programs often allow you to take on a specialty within the field, including:

  • photobiology;
  • deep-sea biology;
  • vertebrate biology; and
  • high-pressure biology or microbiology

What Courses Would I Take in a PhD Program

Doctoral-level courses in this field combine didactic training with hands-on training. 

Doctoral candidates commonly participate in fieldwork and also do research on boats.

There is usually a heavy emphasis on original research and publication.

Typically, you will also learn about different research methodologies, data collection and interpretation, statistics for marine biology, professional collaboration and pedagogy.

Some of the courses you could take include but are not limited to:

  • Computational ocean acoustics
  • Signal processing
  • Geological record of climate change
  • Wave physics
  • Applied mathematics
  • Land surface hydrology
  • Physical oceanography

The List of Marine Biology Colleges in Alaska

  • Alaska Pacific University [Marine Biology] BA, BS
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks [Fisheries] BA, [Fisheries or Ocean Sciences] BS, [Marine Biology] MS, PhD
  • University of Alaska Southeast [Marine Biology, Fisheries & Ocean Sciences: Fisheries Science] BS

Let us look at these marine biology colleges in Alaska in detail.

Alaska Pacific University [Marine Biology] BA, BS

Alaska Pacific University [Marine Biology] BA, BS: The Marine Biology concentration at Alaska Pacific University allows you to specialize in the biology and ecology of marine organisms and ecosystems.

With the changes to ocean ecosystems from climate change and other human activity, this is an emerging area critical to the future of ocean health, ecosystem services, and global food security.

University of Alaska Fairbanks [Fisheries] BA, [Fisheries or Ocean Sciences] BS, [Marine Biology] MS, PhD


University of Alaska Fairbanks [Fisheries] BA, [Fisheries or Ocean Sciences] BS[Marine Biology] MS, PhD: UAF’s fisheries and marine sciences degree program provides you with the opportunity to study in one of the richest aquatic regions in the world.

Fisheries and marine sciences majors at the University of Alaska Fairbanks gain extensive professional experience through funded research and a guaranteed internship.

Their low student-to-faculty ratio means you’ll work closely with professors who will become mentors and references for future employers.

University of Alaska Southeast [Marine Biology, Fisheries & Ocean Sciences: Fisheries Science] BS


University of Alaska Southeast [Marine Biology, Fisheries & Ocean Sciences: Fisheries Science] BS: The study of biology and marine biology gives you access to the ultimate natural laboratory at Southeast Alaska’s rich ocean environment.

Incoming students learn biological principles and skills in lecture, laboratory, and field courses.

They can then join their professors, researchers, and current students to work on projects that range from tracking humpback whale migrations to mapping the surface canopy of kelp.

UAS’s coastal classrooms and labs provide world-class opportunities for unique hands-on learning experiences.

Final Words

The U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics expects the employment of wildlife biologists and zoologists, including marine biologists, to rise by about 5% between the years 2020 and 2030, which is about as fast as the average for all U.S. occupations (www.bls.gov).

This is not a bad career option to consider. What are your thoughts about these marine biology colleges in Alaska? Please share your thoughts below.

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