[Photo: Southwestern’s Assistant Professor of Biology, Amy Burgess, instructs students at the Cape Arago tide pools. Students in Southwestern’s new Marine Biology Program will study coastal ecosystems like these before transferring to OIMB.]
Partnership ensures students transfer seamlessly into the University of Oregon’s Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB)
COOS BAY, OR – Students now have a direct path to earning a bachelor’s degree in marine biology without leaving Oregon’s South Coast, thanks to a new partnership between Southwestern Oregon Community College and the University of Oregon’s Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) in Charleston.
The new Associate of Science in Marine Biology at Southwestern allows students to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree and seamlessly transfer to the University of Oregon to finish their upper-division coursework at OIMB.
“It just makes sense,” said Dr. Doug Goodwin, Dean of Instruction – Transfer, Arts, & Community Education at Southwestern. “With a nationally renowned marine research institute in our backyard, this collaboration opens the door for students to complete their entire marine biology degree—start to finish—right here on the South Coast, in one of the most beautiful and biologically rich environments on the Pacific Coast.”
This is the only associate degree program of its kind in Oregon. Southwestern’s location near Charleston, where OIMB is based, allows students to immerse themselves in coastal ecosystems from the very beginning of their college journey.
“We’re excited for SWOCC’s new Associate of Science in Marine Biology and the opportunity to collaborate on a more accessible pathway for Oregon students,” said Maya Watts, Education Program Coordinator at OIMB. “This program allows students to immerse themselves in marine biology for four consecutive years on our two coastal campuses. It helps students integrate into the coastal community and the many opportunities it offers.”
Students in the program will take foundational courses in biology, chemistry, oceanography, and mathematics at Southwestern. The curriculum also emphasizes critical thinking, ecosystem understanding, and global environmental awareness. After completing a two-year degree at Southwestern and transferring, students will complete hands-on, field-based courses at OIMB in subjects including marine ecology, deep sea biology, and invertebrate zoology.
Ultimately, students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology could pursue careers as marine biologists, in research, ocean engineering, archaeology, marine aquarium work, and environmental and energy specialties.
See below for a complete listing of classes associated with this pathway:
Course List – Marine Biology PathwayCatalog Overview – Marine Biology, Associate of Science
Fall term registration for the 2025-26 academic year is now open!
CLICK HERE for information about how to register for Summer and Fall Term classes.
To speak with an advisor or learn how to enroll, contact Southwestern Admissions at 541-240-8227 or swoccbound@socc.edu.
