Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, im 16 years old and a junior in High School In California. And ive been thinking alot about college lately, cause our Councilers talked to us about majors and colleges. and I really want to study Marine Biology, and Become a Teacher in High School. Do you know any facts about becoming Marine Biology Teacher?, schools best for that  subject, how many years of school, degrees and additional information???? just very curious?? Thank you soooo much!
thanks
Davis.

ANSWER: Hi Davis
You must first get a degree in general Biology which takes four years.  Marine biology is graduate study which is another two years. Do you live near the ocean? Colleges near the ocean offer courses in Marine biology.  Marine biology is taught at the college level.  Very few high school offer classes in marine biology.
Start off planning to teach high school biology and then go from there.  You have about eight years to go

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much. im really excited to go to college in a couple of years! and yeah our school doesn't offer marine biology, but im in honors anatomy cause its interesting.and i already took biology and did good. and next year i have to take chemistry, which im dreading! oh well! and i really want to become a high school teacher at one of the schools in the district, and teacher either biology of Marine Biology. ok thanks again.
Davis

Answer
Do some self study on your own on biochemistry. Look for a college biochem book and study it. Most high school chemistry classes do not focus on biochemistry and to be a biologist you need some background in it.
I am guessing that your biology teacher inspired you to consider teaching biology as a career.  I know that mine did