Marine
Science Program
The
Leading California Community College for
Marine Biology and Oceanography
We offer a very wide variety of courses in marine biology, oceanography,
and field courses exploring local habitats as well as sites in Baja California,
the Gulf of California and Catalina Island.
For information and Dr. Wells's homepage use the link with his name
immediately below:
Dr.
Raymond Wells, Professor of Biology
Department
of Life Science
Los Angeles Pierce College
6201 Winnetka Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 710-4285
Email pcmsusa@hotmail.com
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Documentary
Film - The Pierce College class featured in a documentary about John
Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in the Sea of Cortez.
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ABOUT
THE PROGRAM.....
Pierce College is the leading community college
for marine biology and oceanography in California with the most course
offerings of any 2-year college in California - and more than most universities.
Pierce's curriculum emphasizes hands-on field work with most courses devoted
to field study. Students work on research vessels, study local marine
environments including the kelp forests of Catalina Island, rocky and wetlands
shores, and have the opportunity for study in Baja and the Sea of Cortez.
Classes are open to all students, and those who choose to major in marine biology
regularly transfer to the top university programs. Image: Common dolphions riding
the bow of bat with marine biology students.
COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM
Take regular semester or special
weekend* courses. All classes are UC/CSU transferable .
Click
for Course Descriptions
- Marine
Biology
- Marine
Biology Laboratory and Field Study
- Marine
Ecology: Kelp Forests of Catalina Island* - Taught every semester
- Marine
Ecology: The Marine Ecology of the Rocky Intertidal Enviornment of the Punta
Banda - Baja California* - Taught Fall semesters
- Marine
Ecology: The Marine Ecology of the Wetland Enviornment of the Punta Banda
- Baja California* - Taught Spring semesters
- Introduction
to Oceanography
- Physical
Oceanography Laboratory
The
Faculty
WHY
PIERCE COLLEGE?
- Course
offerings. Pierce College offers the most courses in marine
biology and oceanography of any community college in California.
- Unique
opportunities. With the diversity of courses taught at Pierce
College students are able to study aboard research ships, on the shore,
in the water, and have the opportunity for international travel to unique
marine environments.
- No
prerequisites for courses. Pierce students can take courses
normally offered only to upper division university biology/oceanography majors.
Non majors can take marine biology and oceanography field classes. Biology
majors get a "jump start" working in field biology.
- Respect.
The marine biology program at Pierce is respected at universities throughout
California. Some courses receive upper division credit on transfer.
- Training.
Pierce College biology students have superior biology/marine biology backgrounds
when transferring to university programs.
- Transfer.
Pierce graduates are regularly accepted to the top university marine biology
programs in the state. Several graduates have achieved Masters and Ph.D.
degrees.
- Advisement.
Faculty advisors personally assist students in selecting courses and in choosing
and applying to transfer universities.
- Cost.
Tuition for courses is only $26 a unit.
HOW
DO I BEST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM?
- Enroll
in all or some of the study opportunities at Pierce College and take advantage
of this excellent program.
- Gain
experience as a field biologist by taking regular semester, weekend, or summer
field courses.
- Biology
majors can complete their lower division requirements at Pierce by taking
both marine biology and majors biology courses along with chemistry.
- Special
enrollment is available for students from other institutions.
What students
have to say...
"The experience and information I gained at Pierce have
put me ahead of the other marine biology majors at my university."
"Not only did I learn a lot but I had fun and some amazing
adventures in the field courses at Pierce."
"I am not a biology major but I took all of the marine
biology courses at Pierce - they were the highlight of my college education.".
