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Marine Biology vs Physical Oceanography vs Hydrology Major?

As I said in my previous question, I am a high school Junior who is looking forward in life, and trying to decide what career to pursue - ideally one in the aquatic sciences.

My whole life, I ve been in love with biology, but over the past few years, i ve realized I have an immense dislike for wet lab work. I just find it too confusing and stressful, especially when working with chemical or microbiological samples. For this reason, I ve considered fisheries science or bioacoustics for a career (since they re more applied biology, with more computer & statistical work), though I m not sure how wet-lab intensive these fields are.

On the other hand, I m also interested in physics, so I ve considered going into physical oceanography, with a focus on fields such as oceanic mixing & climate dynamics (with respect to oceanography). I m not too familiar with this field, but it seems to involve less wet-lab and chemistry work.

Finally, I ve also grown an interest in hydrology, especially in relation to geology and meteorology. Again, I m not too familiar with hydrology, but it sees to involve less wet-lab/chemistry work.

So which of these fields

-marine biology (esp. fisheries science & bioacoustics)

-physical oceanography (esp. climatology)

-hydrology (esp. meteorological)

would be the best major for someone who enjoys the aquatic sciences, but dislikes wet-lab work?

Note that I do plan on talking to my guidance counselor about this, but I just want to hear some ideas first.

1 Answer

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  • 4 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Are you sure you understand what real "wet lab" work is like, as opposed to your high school experiences?

    You seem to be trying to get very specific, before even starting college. I would suggest not deciding on an exact job description at this point. Finish high school. Start college.

    You have lots of time to narrow down, after your first two years of college, and for grad school.

    Other things to do:

    Look at science jobs sites at the variety of options. Look into what each requires.

    When you get to college, talk to professors and grad students in a variety of fields.

    It's sensible to be thinking about what you want to go into. But in more general terms. Not so much, which of these three, very narrow options, but in broader terms, including your aptitudes and interests.

    You have years to engage in a narrowing process, as you experience college level work, and more exposure to a fuller sense of the options.

    Edit

    Major in oceanography. Take it from there.

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