Marine biologist (536 words) Essay Example For Students

Marine biologist (536 words) Essay Marine biologistMarine BiologistBiology, Chemistry, PhysicsMarine Biologists study the origins, behaviours, diseases, genetics and the life processes of animals and wildlife of the marine environment. Some marine biologists specialize in wildlife research and management, including the collection and analysis of biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water areas. To become a marine biologist, you will need a bachelors degree in a biological science, a Masters in science in marine and environmental science, a Masters in public administration in Environmental Planning. You would also need to be good at mathematics, as marine biologists use maths every day when doing statistics. A marine biologist works in a variety of settings that can range from working in an aquarium to collecting underwater samples and data to working in a research lab. Everything marine biologists do is science. They need to be able to measure salinity, acidit y, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life. Marine biologists also need to identify, classify, and study structure, behaviour, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species. To be a marine biologist, the best subjects to study would be prerequisite subjects. Assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Some appropriate courses of study would be; * Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology 4 years. * Coastal Management- 4 years. * Marine Biology and Ecology- 4 years. * Marine Geology and Coastal Processes- 4 years. Because there are so many topics one could study within the field of marine biology, many researchers select a particular interest and specialize in it. Specializations can be based on a particular species, organism, behavior, technique, or ecosystem. For example, marine biologists may choose to study a single species of clams, or all clams that are native to a climate or region. Marine life is a vast resource, providing food, medicine, and raw materials, in addition to helping to support recreation and tourism all over the world. At a fundamental level, marine life helps determine the very nature of our planet. Marine organisms contribute significantly to the oxygen cycle, and are involved in the regulation of the Earths climate.Shorelines are in part shaped and protected by marine life, and some marine organisms even help create new land. historyThe history of marine biology may have begun as early as 1200 BC when the Phoenicians began ocean voyages using celestial navigation. References to the sea and its mysteries abound in Greek mythology, particularly the Homeric poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. However, these two sources of ancient history mostly refer to the sea as a means of transportation and food source. It wasnt until the writings of Aristotle from 384-322 BC that specific references to marine life were recorded. Aristotle identified a variety of species including crustaceans, echinoderms, mollusks, and fish. He also recognized that cetaceans are mammals, and that marine vertebrates are either oviparous (producing eggs that hatch outside the body) or viviparous (producing eggs that hatch within the body). Because he is the first to record observations on marine life, Aristotle is often referred to as the father of marine biology.