NC State University

Transfer Guide

NC State University
Marine Sciences, BS

Transfer Guide for Associate in Science

2025-2026

Concentration(s): Biological Oceanography
Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Admission Notes:

NC State Undergraduate Admissions employs a holistic approach in reviewing transfer students’ applications and considers a range of accomplishments and qualifications. Recommended courses* and GPA are major critical path courses or departmental recommendations and are not minimum requirements for transfer admissions.

  • 2.8 and above GPA
  • ENG 111 & ENG 112
  • MAT 271
  • 4 hours of transferable physical science with lab: BIO 111, CHM 151, PHY 151 or GEL 111
  • CHM 151 is recommended

*Listed courses are NC community college shared catalog courses and reflect their respective NC State transfer equivalencies.

Contact:

Undergraduate Admissions
undergrad-admissions@ncsu.edu

Revised: May, 2025

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

Major World Language requirement is fulfilled by qualification under the CAA.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the North Carolina Community College (NCCC) course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended university and major.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry 3 ENG 1GEP: 100 Level English Composition English Composition Required for Admission to Univ.
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc 3 ENG 1GEP: 100 Level English Composition English Composition Required for Admission to Univ.
MAT 171: Precalculus Algebra 4 MA 107: Precalculus I & MA 1**: 100 Level Mathematics UGETC Math Required Course
MAT 172: Precalculus Trigonometry 4 MA 108: Precalculus II & MA 1**: 100 Level Mathematics UGETC Math Required Course
MAT 271: Calculus I 4 MA 141: Calculus I Additional General Education Courses Required Course
COM 231: Public Speaking
OR
COM 120: Interpersonal Communication 		3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts Suggested Course
CHM 151: General Chemistry I 4 CH 101: Chemistry - A Molecular Science & CH 102: General Chemistry Laboratory UGETC Natural Sciences Suggested Course
CHM 152: General Chemistry II 4 CH 201: Chemistry - A Quantitative Science & CH 202: Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory UGETC Natural Sciences Suggested Course
MAT 272: Calculus II 4 MA 241: Calculus II Additional General Education Courses Suggested Course
BIO 111: General Biology I 4 BIO 183: Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Elective/Pre-Major Courses Suggested Course
BIO 112: General Biology II 4 BIO 181: Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity Elective/Pre-Major Courses Suggested Course

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education, Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses General Education, Elective
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 TR ***: Elective Academic Transition Elective

Additional Information From NC State University:

Marine scientists explore all aspects of the seas and coastal regions, seeking to understand how the oceans, their biological communities, the solid earth and the atmosphere interact. As professionals with interdisciplinary training, marine scientists are needed to advise business, industry and governments on the potential impact of human activities and the wise use of marine resources. Marine scientists work for consulting firms; regulatory agencies; the mass media; business and industry; federal, state and local governments; academic laboratories; research and education organizations; and nonprofit environmental watchdog groups.

For more information please visit the program website. 

Remaining NC State Bachelor's Degree Requirements are based on CAA eligibility and completion of all required and suggested courses in this transfer guide. Remaining courses, hours and time to degree may vary for each student. Unless otherwise noted, all courses are required major courses and will not be part of the General Education fulfillment awarded by associate degree transfer and CAA eligibility.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
COS 100: Science of Change 2
Computer Science Elective 3
Advanced Writing Elective 3
Physics I 4
Physics II 4
Statistics Elective 3

May be met by MAT 152 at an NC community college
MEA 100: Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections 4
MEA 200: Introduction to Oceanography 3
MEA 210: Oceanography Lab 1
MEA 250: Introduction to Coastal Environments 3
MEA 251: Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory 1
MEA 459: Field Investigation of Coastal Processes 5
MEA 460: Principles of Physical Oceanography 3
MEA 462: Observational Methods and Data Analysis in Marine Physics 3
MEA 495: Junior Seminar in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences 1
Organic Chemistry and Lab 4
Botany Elective 4
Ecology 4

AEC 360 or PB 360
MEA 449: Principles of Biological Oceanography 3
ZO 350: Animal Phylogeny and Diversity 4
Concentration Electives 15

Courses should further student's career goals and are selected in consultation with the student's advisor.