What does a Marine Scientist do?

I love science and the ocean, so the idea of being a Marine Scientist sounds cool. What kind of work do they do, day-to-day? And what should I study if I want to pursue this career?

Marine Scientists, often known as Marine Biologists, work to understand the marine organisms, ecosystems, and the impacts of environmental changes on them. Their day-to-day responsibilities can vary greatly depending on their field of expertise. This may include collecting samples and data from shore-based studies, boat trips, or deep-sea submersible dives, carrying out research and analysis in laboratories, writing scientific papers and reports, as well as presenting findings to academic bodies, conservation groups, and the public.

In terms of educational paths, if you wish to pursue Marine Science, you'll want to start off with a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, Marine Science, or a related field such as Biology or Environmental Science. This undergraduate coursework usually includes biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, and specialized courses on marine ecology and oceanography—a combination that helps to provide breadth and depth of knowledge about life in the oceans and the physical properties of oceans themselves. After your undergraduate degree, many Marine Scientists also go on to obtain a Master's or Ph.D. in a more specialized area of interest.

Interestingly enough, many Marine Scientists tend to do fieldwork in certain seasons (typically the warmer months), and spend the off-season months analyzing the data and publishing their findings. This can make for a very unique work schedule compared to other occupations.

Remember, a career in Marine Science not only calls for a fascination with marine organisms and ecosystems, but also a love for inquiry and discovery, resilience against potentially unfavorable weather conditions during fieldwork, as well as patience and tenacity for lab research.