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Marine and Aquatic Biologist

Occupation Information table
Overview: Marine and aquatic biologists study plants and animals living in water and the kinds of environmental conditions that affect them. They research the effects of water salinity, temperature, acid, light and water pollutants. They may specialize in the breeding of edible aquatic life.
Duties: They investigate and analyze physical conditions of water such as light, temperature, salinity, oxygen content to determine their impact on the quality and quantity of aquatic life.

They study various types of water life such as plankton, fish, mollusks, worms, snails, etc. to determine how each life type is affected by changes in water conditions.

They conduct research with different forms of plants, fish, mollusks, etc. to determine the feasibility of raising them as as a source of food products on fish farms.

Study the effects of different forms of pollution on marine life. They determine what species of plants or fish life are most resistant to water contaminants.
Degree(s): A.S. Biotechnology 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 2% to 4% from 2014 to 2024, which is slightly slower than the average projected growth for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $28,000 to $34,000
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: A bachelor's degree is adequate for some non-research jobs in administration or laboratory testing. A master's degree in marine science is usually required for jobs in applied research and for management positions, as well as teaching in a 2-year college. A Ph.D. is usually required for university teaching.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Identifying the most appropriate equipment and tools needed to get a job done.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Using scientific methods to investigate and conduct experiments.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Create new ideas, programs, things, or anything else not previously developed by another person.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Having a job where you can spend a significant amount of time outside.
  • Gaining the respect of others by the nature and/or level of responsibility of your work.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.