Biological oceanography is the study of the organisms and processes that support oceanic ecosystems. Owing to its coastal location, UNCW's investigators focus primarily on coastal oceanic ecosystems. Topics of investigation include primary production by planktonic and benthic algae, nutrient cycling, zooplankton distribution and ecology, processes controlling recruitment of fisheries species, the influence of river discharges on coastal ecosystems, remote sensing of the biological properties of coastal waters, and human impacts on coastal ocean ecosystems, among others. A significant portion of UNCW's research activities in biological oceanography is supported by the NOAA-funded Coastal Ocean Research and Monitoring Program.

Formal course offerings related to biological oceanography at the graduate level include BIO 564 (Biological Oceanography) (3-hr lecture), BIO 564-200 (1-hr laboratory), and, for doctoral students or graduate students intending to pursue doctoral work, BIO 601 (Oceanography). The latter course includes sections in chemical, physical, geological, and biological oceanography. The combination of BIO 564 and BIO 564-200 replaces BIO 569 (Oceanography) for Marine Biology M.S. students. BIO 564 satisfies a requirement for the Master of Science in marine science program.