Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours)

Marine Science is the area of science that deals with the study of the ocean.

You will study the biological nature and capacity of oceans, their impact on human society and the conservation and environmental management of marine and coastal regions.You will learn the skills required for a career in government, industry and environment-related companies.

In addition, an Honours degree in Marine Science opens up opportunities in state fisheries, CSIRO, museums, local councils and environmental consultancies.This program has core subjects in each year plus flexible optional subjects.In the final year, students undertake a substantial piece of supervised research, together with other required seminars and/or coursework.

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points, as outlined below.

Please note:

• Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent).
• Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
• Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in 300-level core subjects.
• Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
• Year 1
• Autumn
• BIOL104 Evolution, Biodiversity and Environment 6 Autumn
• BIOL105 Functional Biology of Animals and Plants 6 Autumn
• Please select ONE of the following two subjects:
• Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101 and CHEM102. All other students must select CHEM104 and CHEM105.
• CHEM101 Chemistry IA: Introductory Physical and General Chemistry 6 Autumn
• CHEM104 Foundation Chemistry: Properties of Matter 6 Autumn
• Plus ONE of the following two subjects:
• EESC101 Planet Earth 6 Autumn
• EESC103 Earth's Dynamic Surface 6 Spring
• Spring
• BIOL103 Molecules, Cells and Organisms 6 Spring
• EESC102 Earth's Interconnected Spheres 6 Spring
• EESC105 Introductory Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
• Select ONE of the following two subjects:
• CHEM102 Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for Life 6 Spring
• CHEM105 Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and Structures 6 Spring
• Year 2
• Autumn
• BIOL240 Biodiversity of Marine and Freshwater Organisms 6 Autumn
• BIOL251 Principles of Ecology 6 Autumn
• MARE200 Introduction to Oceanography 6 Autumn
• MATH151 General Mathematics 1A 6 Autumn, Summer 2020/2021
• *MATH151 must be completed by any student who has not completed NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent at Band 4 or higher.
• Spring
• EESC207 Advanced Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
• STAT252 Statistics For the Natural Sciences 6 Spring
• BIOL252 Evolution and Behaviour 6 Spring
• Plus subjects from the following list to give a total of 48 credit points for Year 2:
• BIOL213 Principles of Biochemistry 6 Autumn
• GEOS309 Igneous-metamorphic geology methods and processes 6 Not available in 2020
• EESC203 Biogeography and Environmental Change 6 Autumn
• PHYS233 Introduction to Environmental Physics 6 Autumn
• BIOL215 Introductory Genetics 6 Spring
• BIOL241 Biodiversity of Terrestrial Organisms 6 Spring
• CHEM214 Analytical and Environmental Chemistry 6 Spring
• GEOG222 Society and Environment: Resources, Challenges, Futures 6 Spring
• STS 216 Environmental Sustainability, Risk and Governance 6 Spring
• EESC250 Field Geology 6 Summer 2020/2021
• Year 3
• Autumn
• BIOL361 Conservation Biology 6 Autumn
• GEOS215 Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments 6 Autumn
• Spring
• BIOL365 Marine and Terrestrial Ecology 6 Spring
• EESC322 Coastal Environments: Process and Management 6 Spring
• MARE360 Fisheries and Aquaculture 6 Spring
• Plus 18 credit points of subjects from the following list:
• BIOL343 Techniques in Biotechnology and Medical Research 6 Autumn
• BIOL362 Ecophysiology 6 Autumn
• EESC321 Plate Tectonics, Macrotopography and Earth History 6 Autumn
• EESC323 Fluvial Geomorphology and Sedimentology 6 Autumn
• BIOL363 Professional Skills in Ecology 6 Not available in 2020
• SCIP310 Advanced Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences Project 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
• EESC331 Changing Global Environments 6 Spring
• EESC326 Resources and Environments 6 Spring
• Or other subjects as approved by the Coordinator
• Year 4
• Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below
• MARE401 Marine Science Honours 48 SMAH Annual
• MARE407 Marine Science Honours (Part-Time) 24 SMAH Annual

Progression Requirements

Satisfactory performance must be achieved (normally a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75% or greater in 300-level subjects) for entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours) degree. Students with an average below 75% in 300-level subjects may only progress into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours) with the approval of the Marine Science Coordinator. Students who do not gain entry into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Marine Science (Honours) degree will normally be required to transfer into the Bachelor of Marine Science degree.

The Honours grade will be calculated in accordance with Method 1. For further information refer to Coursework Rules

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description 1 Describe and appraise broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of Marine Science. 2 Demonstrate skills in reviewing, analysing, interpreting and synthesising data, methodologies and other information to independently generate solutions to complex problems. 3 Exercise critical thinking and judgement in integrating new understanding into one or more discipline areas in Marine Science. 4 Communicate knowledge, ideas and independent research findings clearly and coherently through a range of mediums. 5 Demonstrate initiative and judgement to adapt knowledge and skills associated with Marine Science that can be applied in a professional context. 6 Independently plan and execute a research project in Marine Science. 7 Appreciate the role, relevance and ethical implications of science in society and demonstrate understanding of the requirements of professional responsibility and ethical conduct.