Marine Biology

Marine Biology at Memorial is a joint major of the Biology and Ocean Sciences departments that studies sea life, how marine organisms behave and how they interact with their environment. There is a lot of hands-on work: wet labs, field trips, project courses, and field courses at the Bonne Bay Aquarium and Research Station in Gros Morne National Park. Students can also work at the Ocean Sciences Centre in Logy Bay, about 10 minutes from campus, which researches cold-ocean and deep-sea processes, aquaculture and marine ecology. Sample courses include principles of marine biology, aquaculture, and marine animal diversity. Careers include marine biologist, fisheries officer, aquaculture scientist and research technician. An Honours option is available.

University

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Country

Canada

Level

Bachelor

Field

Marine Biology

Duration

4 years (120 credit hours)

Language

English

Campus

St. John's (with field courses at the Bonne Bay Aquarium and Research Station)

Degree

Bachelor of Science (Joint Major or Honours) in Marine Biology

Intake

September, January, May

Application Deadline

Fall 2027 (September): the priority deadline is March 1, 2027, which is also the date high school applicants must apply by to be considered for entrance scholarships. Documents are due by August 20, and the application closes on the first day of the semester. MUN advises international applicants to apply at least 12 weeks before the semester starts because of study permit processing. Winter (priority October 1) and spring (priority February 1) entry are also possible

Tuition Information

International: CAD 750 per credit hour in 2026-27 (per-credit rates are frozen at 2025-26 levels by the Newfoundland and Labrador government). MUN's sample cost for two semesters of a bachelor's degree (10 three-credit courses) is CAD 22,500 for international students and CAD 6,750 for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and NL residents, who pay CAD 225 per credit hour. Required fees for the two semesters add a CAD 100 student services fee, a CAD 149 students' union fee and a CAD 148 recreation fee, plus health insurance of CAD 548 for international students (CAD 525 for Canadian students, including dental). Books, supplies, residence and any program-specific fees are extra, and 2027-28 rates are not yet published.

Admission Requirements

Apply online through MUN's admissions portal. Fall 2027 applications open on September 10, 2026. The non-refundable application fee is CAD 300 for international applicants and CAD 70 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, paid by Visa or MasterCard (debit cards are not accepted). Competitive-entry applicants also get a general admission (BA or B.Sc.) application at no extra cost
Meet MUN's general admission requirements: a recognized high school diploma with university-preparatory courses in English, mathematics, a laboratory science (biology, chemistry or physics), social studies or a modern/classical language, and an elective. Minimum averages depend on your curriculum. Examples are a B average for American-patterned diplomas, 75 for China's Senior Secondary School Certificate, 60% for Indian Class 12 certificates (such as CBSE or ISC), a C4 average for WAEC/NECO and 24 points on the IB Diploma. From Winter 2027, UK-patterned applicants need a B/6 average at IGCSE/O Level plus three AS Levels or two A Levels averaging C. MUN's country pages list the rest
Calculus is a required first-year course in science (and in business on the St. John's campus), so grade 12 pre-calculus mathematics is normally expected. Applicants without a laboratory science should apply for the BA instead of the B.Sc.
You apply to the Faculty of Science (B.Sc.) and cannot choose Marine Biology at application. Entry to the joint major is competitive. You need 30 credit hours (10 courses) with at least a 60% overall average: Biology 1001 and 1002 (averaging at least 65%), Chemistry 1050 and 1051, six credit hours of critical reading and writing, Mathematics 1000, Ocean Sciences 1000 (at least 65%), Physics 1020 or 1050, and Physics 1021/1051 or a 2000-level Ocean Sciences course
Submit a departmental application to the Biology or Ocean Sciences department. MUN notes that these courses often take three semesters to complete, especially if you need Mathematics 1090 or Chemistry 1010 first
English proficiency is required. It is normally met by two years of full-time study at a Canadian high school, by an English-taught curriculum such as the IB Diploma or an American-patterned or UK-patterned diploma, or by at least 15 credit hours at a recognized English-language university in a country on MUN's list. Otherwise the test minimums are: IELTS Academic 6.5 with 6.0 in reading and writing (General Training is not accepted); TOEFL iBT 4.5 overall with 4.0 in reading and writing (tests taken up to January 2026: 83 with 20 in reading and writing); Duolingo 115; PTE Academic 60; CAEL 60; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176; Michigan English Test 59. The test must be taken within two years before you apply. Applicants below these scores may be considered for early acceptance through MUN's Intensive English Program at Grenfell Campus
To accept an offer, international students pay a CAD 1,500 non-refundable confirmation deposit (CAD 150 for Canadians), which is credited to first-semester tuition. If IRCC refuses the study permit, it is refunded minus a CAD 150 fee. MUN then requests the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the NL government, which usually takes 3 to 7 business days after the offer
These are minimums. Some programs are competitive for a limited number of spaces and may need a higher average or extra information

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