BS-Freshwater & Marine Biology

Gannon’s Freshwater and Marine Biology major provides students with coursework and hands-on experience to prepare them for employment or graduate training in the field of aquatic science. Our location on the shore of Lake Erie makes Gannon an ideal place to study aquatic systems. Presque Isle Bay, the eastern Basin of Lake Erie, and the many tributary streams that flow into the lake are natural laboratories for Gannon faculty and students. With 25% of the earth’s surface fresh water, 10% of the United States’ population, and 30% of Canada’s population, the Great Lakes basin is an internationally valuable resource that requires better understanding, monitoring, and restoration. As water resources become more in demand, the need for aquatic scientists is expected to grow.

The combination of biological and environmental science perspectives, along with coursework in chemistry, physics, and mathematics provides students in the Freshwater and Marine Biology major broad and practical exposure to factors that influence aquatic ecosystems. Although the curriculum for the major is quite directed or prescribed, students have the ability to choose among numerous upper-level electives in water-related courses to personalize their degree.

Students in the Freshwater and Marine Biology major also have a great number of opportunities for field internships with agencies and organizations such as Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Erie County Board of Health, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Regional Science Consortium, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Many of these groups have offices in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center located at the foot of Presque Isle and all of them are located within miles of campus.