MARINE BIOLOGY

THE JOB

• Study saltwater organisms and their relationships with their environments
• Study migration patterns and population levels
• Collect and analyze chemical makeup of samples
• Provide educated environmental advice
• Care for animals in zoos/aquariums
• Teach students as professors

IMPORTANT ASPECTS

• Only become a marine biologist if you really love it as the job can be quite stressful, the field is highly competitive, and the salaries are not very high
• Your job gives you the opportunity to change the world for better. This is important because it is a sort of activism that is not often thought of. Using research abilities, knowledge, and data you can impact the people and animals of the world.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work at schools, research labs, aquariums, environmental organizations and elsewhere
• May work on board uncomfortable ships for long periods of time
• Physical stamina often required for fieldwork
• Opportunities to travel to remote and exciting locations
• Spend most time in research labs, offices, and libraries
• May work from 8-60 hours a day

WORK HAZARDS

• Exposed to dangerous chemicals in the laboratory
• Weather may be dangerous while aboard research ships
• Work with poisonous/dangerous animals
• Working in remote areas where medical help is hours to days away
• Scuba diving problems such as decompression sickness

POSITIVES

• I love travelling, so being able to research while in an interesting place would be amazing
• Work that could change the world. I would love to do research that could help make a difference in the world

NEGATIVES

• The competitiveness of the field will make it hard to get a job.
• The risks associated with the job, although with education they will be lessened greatly

YEARLY EARNINGS/BENEFITS

• Graduate students: $15000-25000
• Fully qualified:
• $40000-85000
• University Professors:
• $60000-140000
• Medical benefits, paid vacation, sick days, and retirement savings plans

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree if not conducting research
• Graduate degree in marine biology (or possibly zoology or biology)
• Master's degree for working as lab technicians, research assistants, or technical positions at aquariums
• PhD for most independent research, administrative positions, and environmental protection agencies

CANADIAN EDUCATION

• Marine Biology Undergrad Degree at UBC, Dalhousie, University of King's College, and University of New Brunswick
• Doctoral and Master's Degree of Marine Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Undergraduate Degree of Marine and Freshwater Biology at University of Guelph

CAREER PATHS

• Level 2 - Aquarium Supervisor: Need experience as an educator in the field Earn $35000-45000 a year Responsible for leading a team of educators, managing day to day operations, etc
• Level 3 - Aquarium Manager Master's Degree in marine biology recommended Earn $45000-60000 a year Responsible for managing a department

I might pursue this career as:

• I love the idea of researching and discovering new things
• I enjoy being in and around water
• I would like to have a career in the sciences
• Studying creatures at a microscopic level would be fascinating

FACTS

• Over 1.5 million unique marine species have been discovered to date
• The lowest part of the Earth is in the Mariana Trench at 10916 meters
• 80% of volcanic activity takes place in oceans
• Seahorse do not have stomachs and so must eat constantly
• There are over 1800 species of starfish, some with as many as 40 arms