Exploring the UCLA Marine Biology Program: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a comprehensive Marine Biology program designed to provide students with a deep understanding of marine ecosystems. This guide offers detailed information about the program, its structure, and the opportunities it provides.
An Overview of the Marine Biology Program at UCLA
The UCLA Marine Biology program is tailored to provide advanced undergraduates with intimate, first-hand knowledge of marine communities. The program emphasizes field studies, research, and a strong foundation in ecological and evolutionary principles. Most participants describe the field programs (FMBQ, MBQ, FBQ) as the highlight of their UCLA education.
Key Features
- Field-Based Learning: A core component of the program involves immersive field experiences in locations such as Moorea, French Polynesia, at the University of California, Berkeley, Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station.
- Research Opportunities: Students engage in real-world training by devising and completing scientific research projects in marine biology.
- Capstone Requirement: The program fulfills the marine quarter capstone requirement for Marine Biology majors and the capstone experience for Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution majors.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: The curriculum connects local work to larger-scale regional and global issues, including climate change.
Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ) and Field Marine Biology Quarter (FMBQ)
UCLA offers both the Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ) and the Field Marine Biology Quarter (FMBQ), which are intensive field programs designed to provide students with hands-on experience in marine research.
Structure and Curriculum
The MBQ and FMBQ programs typically involve 16 upper-division units, incorporating a combination of coursework and research. For example, the Spring 2023 Moorea MBQ includes four 4-unit courses taught at UCLA and in Moorea, French Polynesia.
Courses
The courses offered during the MBQ and FMBQ programs may include:
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- EE Biol 123A: Marine Ecology
- EE Biol 124A: Field Ecology
- EE Biol C126: Behavioral Ecology
- EE Biol 148: Biology of Marine Plants
Research Focus
Students work in groups to design and execute research projects, learning how to ask research questions, collect and analyze data, and present their findings in a research symposium. The FIELD/MARINE BIOLOGY QUARTER (FMBQ) is a field program planned to give advanced undergraduates an opportunity to gain intimate and firsthand knowledge of Mo’orea’s ecosystems by conducting meaningful research in them. Students design their own group projects to study fundamental questions about ecology, evolution, behavior, and conservation.
Locations
A primary location for the MBQ and FMBQ is the UC Gump Field Station in Moorea, French Polynesia. For the Winter 2024 FMBQ, students will visit the UC Gump Field Station in Moorea, French Polynesia.
Faculty and Instructors
The MBQ and FMBQ programs are led by experienced faculty members. Examples of instructors include:
- Dr. Peggy Fong
- Dr. Richard B.
- Dr. Daniel Blumstein
- Dr. Tonya Kane
- Dr. Jacobs
Prerequisites and Requirements
To be eligible for the MBQ and FMBQ programs, students typically need to meet certain prerequisites and requirements.
Coursework
Recommended courses are EE Biology 100L, 109L, 122, and 129. It is preferred that students complete as much of the core curriculum for the Life Science majors as possible.
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Snorkeling and Diving
Snorkeling is required during the field quarter. However, during the course we will train any students that are not comfortable snorkeling, so this is not a barrier to application. Students that obtain their basic SCUBA certification must take an additional intensive scientific diving course that is offered at UCLA and several other Universities in order to dive in Moorea. Each student must obtain qualified status from an accredited Diving Officer if s/he wants to dive while on the program. Information about the training programs will be made available at the time of the interview.
Application Process
Applications for the Spring 2024 MBQ can be found here. For semi-finalists, a personal interview will be arranged through the EE Biology Undergraduate Office. Your application will be screened by the faculty and semi-finalists will be interviewed from which we will select finalists and create a back-up list.
Costs and Financial Aid
Participating in the MBQ and FMBQ programs involves costs beyond regular UCLA tuition and fees.
Program Costs
The cost of the MBQ will be the regular quarterly registration fees plus additional fees to cover the cost of room and board and travel ($3000-$4000). The cost of the MBQ will be the regular quarterly registration fees plus additional fees to cover the cost of room and board and travel ($3500-$4000). Regular UCLA Tuition & Fees + MBQ costs. In the past this additional costs is around $3,600 and covers airfare, food, & lodging. Besides normal registration fees and tuition, there will be a mandatory student contribution to defray costs associated with the trip (travel, lodging, food, and supplies). The student contribution for of the Spring 2024 trip remains to be determined.
Payment Schedule
The cost of the MBQ ($3000-$4000) will be due on three separate dates (dates TBA). If your final payment is not received by the due date, you will not be allowed to participate in the MBQ. More detailed information about the due dates will be forthcoming.
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Financial Aid
Financial aid students may be able to revise their 2018-19 budget and apply for additional funds to cover the cost of the MBQ. Financial aid students may be able to revise their 2020-21 budget and apply for additional funds to cover the cost of the MBQ. Financial aid students may be able to revise their 2021-22 budget and apply for additional funds to cover the cost of the MBQ. Please contact the Financial Aid Office, A129J Murphy Hall, 206-0400, to find out if your aid can cover these costs. We can work with you to adjust your financial aid based on the extra expenses.
Housing
Students with University Housing contracts may need to revise their agreements to participate in the MBQ or FMBQ. If you have a University Housing contract (includes dorms, University Apartments) for the 2018-19 academic year, you will need to contact the UCLA Housing Office to revise your housing agreement for Spring Quarter 2019. If you have a University Housing contract (includes dorms, University Apartments) for the 2020-21 academic year, you will need to contact the UCLA Housing Office to revise your housing agreement for Spring Quarter 2021. If you have a University Housing contract (includes dorms, University Apartments) for the 2021-22 academic year, you will need to contact the UCLA Housing Office to revise your housing agreement for Spring Quarter 2022. If you will be living in the dorms the year you plan to participate in the MBQ, you will need to cancel your housing contract for the quarter in which the MBQ is offered (in writing to the Residence Hall’s Assignment Office) and request assignment for the winter and spring when you return. If you live in an apartment, you might consider subletting your room while you are gone, but be advised that you may not be gone the entire quarter.
Marine Biology Major Requirements
In addition to the field programs, the Marine Biology major at UCLA has specific requirements that students must fulfill.
Course Requirements
All Life Science Core Curriculum courses must be passed with a letter grade of C- or better and must be completed with an overall GPA of 2.00 (C) or better. For the upper division (UD) major requirements, you must pass each course with a letter grade of D- or better. Courses applied to the upper division (UD) major requirements may be applied to ONE category only. A maximum of four (4) units of EE BIOL 199 OR eight (8) units of EE BIOL 198A & 198B may be applied to the major. Each course applied toward the UD major requirements must have a minimum of four (4) units. Courses with fewer than four units may be combined to equal one (1) course equivalent, IF they are applicable to the major (e.g., EE BIOL 180, EE BIOL 188), which would need to be determined via a course substitution petition. Thus, two (2) courses worth 2 units each (for a total of 4 units) could equal one course requirement on the major. A maximum of one (1) course on the major is allowed in cases where two 2-unit courses are combined to equal one course equivalent. All courses to be applied on the major must be taken for a letter grade.
Restrictions and Guidelines
Rules for the Marine Biology MajorNOTE: A maximum of eight (8) units of the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology 198-series or four (4) units of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology 199 may be applied toward the major. Credit for 199 courses from other departments may not be applied. 199 courses with faculty sponsors OUTSIDE the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology do NOT apply on the major unless approved by special petition AFTER the course is completed. As of FALL 2004 and thereafter, enrollment in ALL upper division (UD) Physiological Science courses will be restricted to their majors during first pass. You must consult the IB&P department about enrollment in courses during second pass for UD elective Physiological Science courses. Enrollment in Upper Division MCD BIO courses will be restricted to their majors during first pass and will be open to all students during second pass, space permitting.
Honors
Departmental HonorsAn overall GPA of 3.400 and a global GPA of 3.400 in the major are required for graduation with honors in Biology. Highest honors in Biology are awarded to students whose global and overall GPA are 3.600 at graduation and who have satisfactorily completed EE BIOL 198A & 198B.
Graduate Studies in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
For students interested in pursuing advanced studies, UCLA offers graduate programs in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Program Structure
The two-year course of study consists of a combination of required coursework and a variety of elective courses and seminars that provide opportunities for departmental and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students begin the program with a provisional faculty advisor and spend the first year taking a common set of required courses.
Application Process
The application deadline for Fall 2026 admission is December 1st, 2025. First complete and submit the UCLA Online Graduate School Application by the December 1st deadline. You will be asked to create an account, and we strongly recommend writing down your password. Select the Fall 2026 admission term, and Biology MS.
Application Materials
Required application materials include:
- Prospective Faculty Advisor(s) and brief rationale.
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Supplementary Essay (800-word limit): The essay should tell the admission committee about your background in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and proposed focus, and give the committee information about your work and professional experience. Our department in particular is looking for applicants with knowledge and creativity in their research area of interest, strong communication skills, resiliency in the face of setbacks, capacity for planning, organization, and teamwork, and high standards of ethics and integrity.
- Personal History Statement (500-word limit): The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA.
- Statement of Purpose: This is a mandatory university-wide prompt for all graduate programs. Feel free to upload the statement used for the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Supplementary Essay.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Awards and other Distinctions.
- Pertinent work experience.
Additional Information
Please note GRE scores are no longer considered during the application review process.
Important Contacts and Resources
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Undergraduate Office
ECOLOGY & EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE OFFICE 101 Hershey Hall, (310) 825-1680 Questions? Send them via MyUCLA Message Center.
UCLA General Catalog
The UCLA General Catalog is published annually in PDF and HTML formats. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in the UCLA General Catalog. However, all courses, course descriptions, instructor designations, curricular degree requirements, and fees described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice. Consult this Catalog for the most current, officially approved courses and curricula.
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