Freshwater and Marine Biology

•  Gannon’s freshwater and marine biology major is the only one of its kind in the area.   
• Gannon’s campus is located just a few blocks from Lake Erie, the world’s 11th-largest lake and part of the world's largest freshwater ecosystem.
• A variety of aquatic environments serve as natural laboratories for coursework and research. These include:
  • 23 major tributary streams to Lake Erie along the Pennsylvania shoreline  
  • French Creek   
  • Presque Isle State Park  
  • small, glaciated lakes  
  • Titus Bog  
   
• Research opportunities with faculty in the biology department are numerous. Student presentations, awards and authorship on publications are evidence of our long-standing commitment to undergraduate research.  
• Students and faculty utilize the 48-foot research vessel, the Environaut, and advanced research facilities for classroom and research activities.  

You Will Learn

The freshwater and marine biology major provides students with coursework and hands-on experience to prepare them for employment or graduate training in the field of aquatic science. Our location on the shore of Lake Erie makes Gannon the ideal place to study aquatic systems, gain valuable internship experience and secure job placement following graduation. As water resources become more in demand, the need for aquatic scientists is expected to grow. Our faculty engage students in field-based laboratory research opportunities to allow for the training needed to fill that demand.

You Will Experience

Students in the freshwater and marine biology major have a great number of opportunities for field internships with agencies and organizations such as Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, Department of Environmental Protection, Erie County Board of Health, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, The Regional Science Consortium and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Many of these groups have offices in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center located at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, and all of them are located within a few miles of campus.

You Will Achieve

Training in freshwater and marine biology opens the door to diverse career opportunities. As with many other majors, career opportunities in aquatic biology increase with post-baccalaureate training at the master’s or Ph.D. level. Such opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• aquatic ecologist  
• aquatic microbiologist  
• field ecologist  
• fisheries biologist  
• environmental analyst  
• environmental consultant  
• environmental educator  
• environmental planner  
• natural resource manager  
• park naturalist  
• university professor   

You Will Earn

Salaries in the field vary depending on level of education, experience, geographic location and employer.

• ecologist: $42,000 - $90,000
• environmental consultant: $43,000 - $75,000
• environmental educator: $35,000 - $50,000
• fisheries biologist: $45,000 - $65,000
• park ranger: $40,000 - $60,000

You Will Study