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Dual degree

Miamoo_33

Is it possible to get a degree in marine biology and chemistry at the same time?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by miamoo_33

Is it possible to get a degree in marine biology and chemistry at the same time?

I have problems finding solutions to this.

There are no joint degrees in both marine biology and chemistry is possible. It's usually either one or the other.

I have looked into marine science and marine environmental science degrees, but there is usually no substantial chemistry content to be considered a chemistry degree. It's more in line with biology, geography, and physics.

I have also looked into the option of doing a master's in either chemistry or marine biology with an undergrad in the other. However, the entry requirements don't seem to allow you to do that. Chemistry masters' usually require an undergrad in something related to chemistry, and marine biology masters' usually require an undergrad in biosciences.

I think the closest thing that I have come across to the above would be a natural science, environmental science, or biological sciences degree that would allow you to be more flexible with your options. The problem with these degrees though is that I can't seem to find one that allows you to specialise in marine biology specifically (there are plenty that offer streams in chemistry though). Marine biology seems more like a niched topic and would require a degree on its own.
The closest modules in both biological science and natural science degrees that mimics marine biology would be options in environmental sciences e.g. https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/natural-sciences/course-content/pathways/
As you would quickly point out, it's not exactly marine biology.

This seems more like one of those cases that if you want to do degrees in both marine biology and chemistry, you would need to do them as 2 separate bachelors' degrees, and that can get expensive (especially for your second degree). You may also have a time limit to when you can apply for them.
A Levels themselves are qualifications that would last you for your entire life. However, most universities only consider it being relevant for application purposes if they are at most 5 years old. In other words, once you finish your first undergrad, you more or less have to go straight in for your second. It's a complete pain and you would need a large reserve of funds to pay for both.

The more sensible option would be to pick one or the other, but I would doubt that would settle your lingering wants.

I think the more appropriate questions would be: Why do you want to study in both fields? Is there a specific research topic that you want to do at postgrad? Are you doing it because you want to widen your job options? If you are, what options are they and why?

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Miamoo_33

Is it possible to get a degree in marine biology and chemistry at the same time?

In the UK you don't normally do a dual degree, you do a joint honours degree. The two refer to separate things.

As above I'm not aware of any specific joint honours courses in this vein. Southampton used to, a number of years ago, have a joint honours course in Ocean Chemistry but it's not been available for some time now.

That said, you may find a degree in oceanography includes both marine biological and chemistry related content. So that may be something to explore. Alternately a joint honours in chemistry and biology then specialise more in marine biology at masters level.

Speaking of Southampton though - they do have a natural sciences degree which I understand permits students to take modules from both chemistry and SOES (where marine biology/oceanography/etc are based). Which may allow you to "build your own" joint honours degree in that area, subject to timetabling (there are some timetabling issues for latter years as year 3/4 SOES modules are normally based at NOCS whereas chemistry modules will be at the main campus; however year 3/4 chemistry options are normally all in term 2 so you could potentially do all term 1 options in SOES and term 2 in chemistry for years 3/4 of the degree). They also have research in chemical oceanography and molecular marine biology at SOES that may be of interest at a postgraduate level.

I'm not aware of other natural science courses specifically facilitating marine biology in particular though, but it may be something to explore.

(edited 10 months ago)

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