Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Marine Biology) - 4 years requires 4 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

Student guidance

Program of study overview
Program of study notes

Program of study
144 Units

Year 136 Units
Year 236 Units
Year 336 Units
Year 436 Units
Honours Program36 Units

Admission requirements

Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
English Language requirements

Aims

The course specialisation aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the biology of marine organisms, their relationships with the physico-chemical marine environment, and their potential responses to changes. It also provides students with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in marine biodiversity, ecology, genetics, conservation, fisheries and related areas. It also aims to to develop a range of transferable skills for research, analysis and communication skills including the capability to:

  • Understand and apply scientific principles in a marine biology context
  • Retrieve and present scientific information about marine biology, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
  • Critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to marine biology and solve problems
  • Appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of marine sciences and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their discipline area
  • Work effectively and productively within teams
  • Work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • Appreciate the ethical and societal contexts of marine sciences.

In addition, the Honours year provides students with advanced skills that are required for planning, funding and carrying out research projects in a specific area. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • Understand and apply relevant scientific principles
  • Retrieve and present information, including communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken forms
  • Critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • Analyse and evaluate data, appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the science disciplines and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their own discipline area
  • Use information technology, work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • Appreciate the role of science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises

This course specialisation provides the broad-based foundation that will support ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in marine sciences or for a career in marine biology or related area where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course you will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate familiarity with theories, subject content, professional methodologies, ethical frameworks and research procedures in marine sciences and be able to critically apply them in marine biological studies
2.
Understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge about marine biology and its related disciplines were developed
3.
Analyse and critically evaluating ideas/information/data in marine biology, and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
4.
Competently design marine biological studies, employing sampling methods and techniques that work effectively in the field and laboratory, and applying numerical skills for data analysis
5.
Appreciate work practices relating to OH&S and animal ethics in regards to marine biological studies
6.
Demonstrate skill at identifying organisms found in marine and costal environments
7.
Understand the dynamics of marine ecosystems and their potential responses to changes
8.
Apply conservation and management principles for marine conservation and sustainable use of marine resources
9.
Communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
10.
Appreciate that marine biology is multidisciplinary and has connections to other science and non-science disciplines
11.
Work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
12.
Interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
13.
Critically analyse the scientific literature and use this as a basis for planning research projects
14.
Understand how scientific research is funded
15.
Formulate hypothesises and design appropriate experiments to test them
16.
Use appropriate methods, techniques, equipment and instrumentation to ethically collect scientific data
17.
Use appropriate statistical methods to analyse scientific data
18.
Communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form

Student progression rules

Students achieving a GPA of at least 5 in their last 36 units of study after completing 103.5 units of study will be eligible to continue into fourth year of the course. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will be able to exit with Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) on completion of 108 units according to the first three years of study in the degree.

Associations

Course/Course specialisation association
Course/Exit award association
Honours - Embedded/Bachelor association