Does anyone know of community colleges that have solid marine science programs? Looking for schools with great resources or connections to marine biology fieldwork or research.
Sure, not all community colleges offer specific programs in marine science, but several do stand out:
1. Monterey Peninsula College in California offers a Marine Science Technology program. This program includes a variety of sub-disciplines such as marine biology, oceanography, fisheries management and marine geology. The college is adjacent to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, making it a prime spot for fieldwork and hands-on learning opportunities with partners like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
2. Santa Barbara City College, also in California, offers a Marine Diving Technologies program. While it doesn't focus specifically on marine science, it provides an avenue into the field through its emphasis on marine technology and dive safety. Plus, its location on the coast makes it prime for marine study.
3. Florida Keys Community College has a unique program in Marine Environmental Technology. Their program includes courses on coral reef ecology, sea grass identification, tropical ornamental mariculture, as well as aquatic animal health. They even have their own research vessel for field studies.
Each of these schools also have transfer agreements to 4-year institutions, if you're planning to continue your studies, which would enable you to seamlessly transfer to Bachelor's degree programs. As always, the best fit really depends on your specific interests and career goals in marine science.
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