Natural Sciences, Topical Concentration: Marine Science - Freshwater Science Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.

This program is particularly applicable for students who wish to take courses in both biology and geology. Students major in natural sciences, with a topical emphasis in marine science — freshwater science. Students completing this program have pursued graduate, health-related, and law degrees, as well as private and government consulting positions and nautical education. Students anticipating graduate study should plan their course selections carefully. Interested students should see biology professors Frauendorf or McHugh, or geology professors Harpp, Harnik or Leventer.

Major Requirements

Required Courses

Two of the Following Courses

One 400-Level Research-Focused Course

Cognate Courses

One year of cognate courses (two courses) from one of the following departments: chemistry, mathematics, or physics, in addition to CHEM 111 or CHEM 101 and one of: CHEM 102 or GEOL 253 or ENST 345.

Field Experience

One field experience at a marine or freshwater science station. In consultation with their major advisers, students are encouraged to seek off-campus opportunities where they can be engaged in field work.

Additional Information

A semester's course equivalence (two or three courses such as marine ecology, aquatic ecology, geological oceanography, etc.) on an approved off-campus study program or at a marine or freshwater station may be substituted for some of the above courses when approved by an evaluating committee representing both the biology and geology departments. Students must petition the evaluating committee for approval once they are accepted at a marine or freshwater station, prior to actual enrollment in the courses.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division

For more information about the division, please visit the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics catalog page.