Should I Get a 2nd B.S.? Biology vs. Marine Biology

[a_ramsey09]

I am currently looking into potential mentors for graduate school in the field of marine ecology. In addition, I am working on getting more applicable research experience. My plan is to start graduate school in 2016/17.

 

In the meantime, I hold a B.S. in biology. Most of my classes were fairly basic and not at all focused on marine science. Since I now know that I want to get my masters in marine ecology, I am unsure as to whether I should take some additional undergraduate classes within that field. Does anyone have experience with this? Is it worth taking more classes or  getting a 2nd B.S. in Marine Ecology? Should I just work on gaining experience and then close the education gap when I am already in graduate school? Any advice is welcomed! 

 

[bsharpe269]

People make jumps way bigger than this between undergrad and grad fields. I switched from mathematics as an undergrad to bioinformatics masters and am now applying to biophysics PhD programs. Plenty of people do even more drastic things like go from a science to humanities. There is no need to take extra undergrad classes. The masters program will provide the preparation you need. If you are nervous about preparation then I would just do some reading on your own time instead of paying for classes.

Edited December 10, 2014 by bsharpe269

[Vene]

I don't think there's any good reason to get the second BS. You've got the basics down, should be able to talk in a halfway intelligent fashion about ecology, and are well equipped to learn the details later. Instead, focus on getting relevant work/research experience and good LORs.

[a_ramsey09]

Thank you for the advice! I think I'm just a little worried with not having that background but I will work on the experience part and making connections for now. 

[katsharki3]

Thank you for the advice! I think I'm just a little worried with not having that background but I will work on the experience part and making connections for now. 

 

Hello. I am someone who is getting a BS in marine biology, and I just want to say I think you will be fine with just a general biology degree. It is actually pretty common, as many schools do not have a marine biology degree. And you should definitely I am guessing have gotten good background in general ecology through your coursework. If you are worried, do make sure to read some important journal articles or books discussing the basics of marine ecology.

 

And, if you can, try to some research experience? I know it can be hard to get internships, but if you can get a summer internship working with some aspect of marine biology, that could definitely be a plus. This could be hard depending on where you live, but even just volunteering at an aquarium could definitely boost your resume and show how interested you are in the marine field.

 

Good luck!

[shadowclaw]

Just thought I'd chime in. I agree with what's been said so far. A general biology degree should have provided you with the basics in ecology, so you should be able to understand marine ecology concepts. Coursework for a masters or PhD will help fill in the gaps and get you up to speed, plus your PI will be able to teach you field techniques. However, as has been suggested, reading up on the subject is a good idea.

My own masters program has a marine biology track, and I believe that all of the students following it don't have marine biology undergraduate degrees. I actually had a conversation similar to this with a freshman. He said that he originally wanted to go into marine biology but decided to take the pre-med route instead because he didn't think he'd be able to get a job. Now he's regretting the decision, but I let him know that as long as he takes an ecology class to learn thy basics, he can pursue marine biology in grad school if he still feels the same way.

[GeoDUDE!]

I have a masters degree in geology. I have taken 0 geology classes (unless you count geophysics). I am also getting a PhD in geology. Who ever said you needed to take classes related to the degree you are getting ?

[lab ratta-tat-tat]

I considered getting a second bachelors in a different field for a while but I was told that would be a "parallel move" and instead to have research or work experience instead. I knew students who put off applying to grad school because they went back to get a second BS in biology, an associates degree in biology, when really they didn't need to do that.

 

In our program, there are students who are getting a PhD in molecular biology or neuroscience and have a psychology degree, art history degree, and "liberal arts", and english degree. 

I was told and I tell students the best thing to do is get work experience/research experience. A PhD program wants to invest in students who know how to do the research and doesn't need their hand held every step of the way.

Good luck!

[RunnerGrad]

I have two bachelor's degrees, but many people in my field do. Why? Because in Canada, in order to practice as a registered dietitian, you need to graduate from a Dietitians of Canada accredited program. So people who already have a bachelors degree in a different subject need to complete an accredited degree if they want to become registered dietitians. In my master's program we have people with a variety of first bachelors degrees before their dietetics accredited one, including engineering, kinesiology, chemistry, arts and science, and biology.

So I don't think a second bachelors degree is necessarily a waste, if it's needed to get what you want in the end.