White spotted rose anemone at Begg Rock, CA.

Our marine program is part of the Southern California Marine Institute (SCMI), which is a consortium of 10 local colleges and universities that pool their resources to promote the study of the near shore environment. Oxy undergraduates select from biology courses and they are also encouraged to get involved in extracurricular activities with faculty and working professionals.

Whether interested in learning about current research and projects at home or abroad, networking with marine scientists and faculty or thinking about eventually pursuing a graduate degree in marine biology, there are a variety of extracurricular activities, including SCUBA diving, for students to compliment their academic coursework. Past students have spent semesters abroad studying in Australia, New Zealand, and in locations adjacent to the South Pacific, Mediterranean and the Caribbean. A number of our former undergraduate students are also enrolled in top graduate programs.