A national magazine lists the University of Alaska Southeast as one of the country’s best schools offering marine science degrees, according to a news release Friday.
College Magazine, which covers education and universities nationwide, ranked UAS as No. 8 on the list because of the access students have to hands-on education, the ability to design their own research opportunities and access to internships, according to the article.
UAS offers undergraduate degrees in both marine biology and fisheries. College Magazine writers were particularly interested in the school’s Undergraduate Research, Experiential and Creative Activities (URECA) program, which allows students to design their own extra-curricular research and work with a faculty mentor to make it a reality.
Senior Marine Biology student Madison Bargas was quoted both in College Magazine’s article and in a UAS release, talking about her experience in the program.
“The small community at UAS makes it really nice for students to get to know their professors and allows great opportunities to get experience in their field,” Bargas said in the UAS release. “Many biology professors have opportunities for students to work in their labs and/or create independent study projects to broaden their education outside of the classroom.”
UAS Chair of Natural Sciences Sherry Tamone, who teaches biology, noted that the feel of campus is another reason why students can thrive there.
“What makes this experience unique for students is that they are also within walking distance of the main UAS campus, dorms and campus life. Our students work with marine biology faculty who all provide rich research opportunities that include field and laboratory experiences,” Tamone said in the release.
Eckerd College in Florida earned the top spot on the list. UAS wasn’t the only school from the Northwest on the list, as the University of Oregon (No. 3) and the University of Washington (No. 10) also cracked the rankings.
To learn more about UAS Biology and Marine Biology degree programs, and to explore other natural sciences, visit the website at www.uas.alaska.edu/arts_sciences/naturalsciences/index.html. Academic advising for science programs is available by calling 796-6200.
• Contact reporter Alex McCarthy at 523-2271 or amccarthy@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @akmccarthy.
