The present text has been designed for the students taking keen interest in marine life. Efforts have also been made to include the solid basic science content needed in a general education course, including fundamental principles of biology, the physical sciences, and the scientific methods. The general aim was to integrate this basic science content with a stimulating, up to date overview of marine biology. We hope this approach demonstrates the relevance of the physical sciences to biology and makes the study of all sciences less intimidating. This publication is useful not only to the students but also to many experienced researchers as an informative reference source.