Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Marine Biology) - 4 years

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) – 4 years.

The Marine Biology Specialisation is offered as part of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) and requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by the School of Biological Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Specialisations have different admission requirements to other programs of study available in the Bachelor of Science (Honours). In order to undertake a Specialisation students must be admitted to the Specialisation program.

There is an alternative 1 year program for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) for students who have successfully completed a Bachelor of Science.

• Admission requirements
• Aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Prerequisites and Assumed Knowledge for Specialisations

There are no formal prerequisites for the specialisation in Marine Biology, but knowledge of Mathematics and/or Physics to SACE Year 11 level is desirable.

Aims

The course 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 builds several transferable skills for research, analysis and communication 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.

This course 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

Graduates of the course are expected to:

• be familiar 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
• understand and be able to describe the processes through which current knowledge about marine biology and  its related disciplines were developed
• be capable of analysing and critically evaluating ideas/information/data in marine biology, and applying relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
• be competent at designing marine biological  studies, employing sampling methods and techniques that work effectively in the field and laboratory, and applying numerical skills for data analysis
• Have an appreciation of work practices relating to OH&S and animal ethics in regards to marine biological studies
• be skilled at identifying organisms found in marine and costal environments
• understand the dynamics of marine ecosystems and their potential responses to changes
• be capable of applying conservation and management principles for marine conservation and sustainable use of marine resources
• be able to communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
• appreciate that marine biology is multidisciplinary and has connections to other science and non-science disciplines
• work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
• interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals.
  

Program of Study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Marine Biology) specialisation a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the Bachelor of Science (Honours) – 4 years program of study.  The program of study for the specialisation is detailed below:

Specialisation - Marine Biology - Year 1 topics

27 units comprising:

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1301  Introduction to Marine Biology##  (4.5 units)
 EASC1102  Marine Sciences##  (4.5 units)

Plus either:

 CHEM1101  Chemistry 1A##  (4.5 units) AND
 CHEM1102  Chemistry 1B##  (4.5 units)

or

 CHEM1201  Introduction to Chemistry A##  (4.5 units) AND
 CHEM1202  Introduction to Chemistry B##  (4.5 units)

##Cognate studies

Specialisation - Marine Biology - Year 2 topics

27 units comprising:

 BIOL2701  Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2702  Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2711  Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2712  Animal Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2742  Marine Ecology  (4.5 units)
 EASC2701  Coasts and Oceans  (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Marine Biology - Year 3 topics

27 units comprising:

 BIOL3700  Biology Research Project  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3701  Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3702  Marine and Freshwater Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3711  Plant and Algal Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3751  Marine Mammals, Birds and Reptiles  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3752  Fisheries Biology, Science and Management  (4.5 units)

Core - Honours Year topics

36 units comprising:

 BIOL4700A  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
 BIOL4700B  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
 BIOL4700C  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
 BIOL4700D  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
 BIOL4700E  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
 BIOL4710  Honours Critical Readings  (4.5 units)
 BIOL4720  Honours Grant Writing Skills  (4.5 units)
 BIOL4730  Honours Scientific Methods and Data Presentation  (4.5 units)