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This question is about marine biologist.
What degree do you need to be a marine biologist?
You need at least a bachelor's degree to be a marine biologist; however, many employers prefer applicants to have a master's degree specializing in marine biology and aquatic studies, and it is also becoming more common that employers want candidates to have a doctorate degree.
In this highly competitive field, having a bachelor's degree in marine science, biology, geology, ecology, oceanography, or zoology is usually required, followed by a Ph.D. to work in a research position. Some might say that a formal college education is a non-negotiable requirement for most marine biology jobs.
Even for most entry-level jobs in the field, some amount of study is needed. The more complex your research or, the more extensive your job responsibilities as a marine biologist, the higher the level of education required is likely to be.
In fact, among industry experts surveyed on the level of education needed for a biologist career, 57% of respondents felt that a master's degree is necessary for new hires.
In graduate school programs, students delve deeper into more advanced coursework and more opportunities for independent research. Graduate students in master's degree programs conduct their original research in service of writing a master's thesis, while doctoral students put their research findings into a dissertation.
A master's degree program is an excellent choice for a marine biologist who wants to work in non-academic industry roles. Master's programs often allow students to pursue specialization tracks so that they can develop a depth of knowledge in their unique areas of interest.
The highest level of study is the doctorate level. Completing Ph.D. programs can help a student prepare to become a marine biologist in high-level research roles and in academia.
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