Bachelor of Marine Biology and Climate Change

Course Details

The Bachelor of Marine Biology focuses on how the marine environment works and how it can be better managed. It has a strong practical and field-based focus where students learn important concepts and skills. This course gives students a thorough understanding of life in marine and aquatic environments, acquisition of skills to study them and the ability to detect and assess detrimental effects on marine environments such as climate change, pollution, remediation and human resource use. Students learn these skills and concepts through a combination of theory, field and laboratory experiences. Field trips undertaken in the later part of this course are particularly valued for the opportunities to practice the theory, knowledge and learn through experiencing the environment firsthand. Career options include positions in fisheries, national parks and wildlife, environmental protection, infrastructure, natural resources and planning both in government and industries. Graduates are also employed by local councils as environmental officers, in resource industries and consulting firms as research officers, CSIRO, universities and as teachers at schools.

Qualification: Bachelor Degree (Pass)

Course structure: Students must complete a total of 144 credit points, made up of 120 credit points of core subjects and 24 credit points of elective subjects. The elective subjects enable students to increase their expertise in other areas of science or other disciplines in the University. This can be in the form of a specialised 24-credit-point sub-major or by a varied selection of subjects. Students must satisfactorily complete all core subjects and the required number of credit points of elective/second major subjects for award of the degree. Students can complete the course over three years full time. Full-time attendance involves approximately 24 hours each week on campus. Students may also be able to complete the course part time, usually at the rate of two subjects a session (a 50 per cent load), taking six years to complete. Part-time students are required to attend some classes in daytime hours.

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.