Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Aquaculture)

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science.

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

The Double Specialisation has different admission requirements to other programs of study available in the Bachelor of Science. In order to undertake a Double Specialisation students must be admitted to the Double Specialisation program.

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

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. Furthermore, this course aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in science together with specialisation in aquaculture. This course enables graduates to develop practical and theoretical skills for a career in the aquaculture industry and it builds the following transferable skills for research, analysis and communication including the capability to:

• understand and apply scientific principles in a marine biology and aquaculture context, and work effectively, cooperatively and productively within a team
• retrieve and present scientific information about marine biology and aquaculture, including communicating effectively with a variety of  audiences in written and spoken form
• critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to marine biology and aquaculture 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
• understand the biology of aquaculture organisms and aquaculture principles and practices
• gain knowledge in aquaculture nutrition, husbandry and water quality management
• acquire skills and knowledge in aquaculture reproduction, hatchery management and applied genetics
• build aquaculture infrastructure and solve engineering issues relevant to aquaculture ventures
• diagnose and manage aquaculture diseases, and manage health and safety issues in aquaculture ventures
• manage and operate an aquaculture business.

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

Learning outcomes

On completion of their degree, students will have developed a comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in marine biology and aquaculture.

Graduates of the course are expected to:

• be familiar with theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures in marine sciences and aquaculture and be able to critically apply them in marine biological studies and aquaculture management
• understand and be able to describe the processes through which current knowledge about marine biology and  aquaculture are developed;
• be capable of analysing and critically evaluating ideas/issues/information/data in marine biology and aquaculture, 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 and aquacultural 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 and aquaculture studies or ventures
• 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 or business management strategies for sustainable aquatic resource management
• be able to communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
• appreciate that marine biology and aquaculture are multidisciplinary and have 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
• demonstrate a sound understanding of the biology of aquaculture organisms and of breeding, genetics, nutrition and water quality issues relevant to aquaculture
• design aquaculture systems and solve engineering issues in aquaculture.
  

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Aquaculture) specialisation a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the Bachelor of Science program of study.  The program of study for the specialisation is detailed below:

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 1 topics

31.5 units comprising:

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1201  Introduction to Aquaculture  (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)

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 2 topics

36 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)
 BIOL2731  Aquaculture Nutrition and Water Quality  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2732  Aquaculture Systems and Technology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2742  Marine Ecology  (4.5 units)
 EASC2701  Coasts and Oceans  (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

 BIOL3700  Biology Research Project  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3711  Plant and Algal Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3731  Aquaculture Reproduction  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3732  Aquaculture Health and Product Quality  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3752  Fisheries Biology, Science and Management  (4.5 units)
 BUSN2026  Entrepreneurship and Small Business  (4.5 units)

plus one of:

 BIOL2722  Disease and Immunology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3702  Marine and Freshwater Biology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3712  Integrative Physiology of Animals and Plants  (4.5 units)
 BUSN3026  Business Planning for New Ventures  (4.5 units)

plus one of:

 BIOL3701  Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3751  Marine Mammals, Birds and Reptiles  (4.5 units)

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).