Major structure
Overview
Overview
This major is available in the Bachelor of Science.
In the Marine Biology major, you’ll connect biological and physical sciences to understand ocean systems.
Major structure
The Marine Biology major is made up of seven subjects (87.5 credit points) taken in your second and third year. Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points. Level 2 subjects are usually taken in second year, and Level 3 subjects in third year.
To complete this major, you’ll need:
37.5 credit points of Level 2 major core
12.5 credit points of Level 3 major core
25 credit points of Level 3 major electives
12.5 credit points of Level 3 capstone
The rest of your degree will consist of a Level 1 science core subject, your choice of elective subjects in science, and breadth (non-science) subjects.
Further information
You can find detailed information about your major – including structure, subject availability, and participation requirements – in the Handbook.
You can also explore your study pathway and sample course plans through My Course Planner.
Sample course plan
View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this major.
Marine Biology Start-year intake
The subject BOTA30001 Marine Botany requires students to undertake 25 points of first year level biology subjects plus 50 points of second year level biological sciences subjects or equivalent (EVSC20004: Blue PLanet - Intro to Marine Environments and GENE20001: Foundations of Genetics and Genomics are examples of second year biological sciences subjects which can be taken)
Year 1
100 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – 12.5 pts
Year 2
100 pts
- Ecology – major – ECOL20003 – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – 12.5 pts
Year 3
100 pts
- Applied Marine Biology – major – BIOL30011 – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – 12.5 pts
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.
Students must complete all required core subjects
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Applied Marine Biology · 12.5 pts |
This subject introduces students to the major environmental challenges facing marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. It explores the key drivers of change in our oceans, including coastal development, fishing, invasive species, pollution and climate change, and examines how these pressures affect marine organisms and ecosystems. Using an applied, science-based approach, students will explore how marine scientists assess environmental impacts, inform resource management, develop nature-based solutions, and translate science into real-world outcomes. Through activities in lectures, workshops and tutorials, students will build skills to explain the drivers of marine environmental change, evaluate their ecological and societal impacts, and apply scientific tools and evidence-based reasoning to support management and conservation decisions. |
| Ecology · 12.5 pts |
This subject introduces students to the major ecological questions that can be addressed at the levels of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. What determines the distribution of individuals of a species? What controls the abundance of populations of a species? What determines the richness and diversity of species in a community? What governs the turnover of matter and energy in an ecosystem? Making use of aquatic and terrestrial examples, topics include organisms and the physical environment, life histories, population growth and regulation, managing populations, theoretical models, species interactions, community change and energy flows. The practical component will emphasise approaches to the collection and analysis of ecological data, and how to interpret and write scientific reports. |
| Blue Planet - Intro to Marine Biology · 12.5 pts |
This subject will introduce students to the diversity of life that we collectively call marine biology with a focus on the connections between marine organisms and the ocean in which they live. Students will learn about rocky shores, estuaries, reefs, the Southern Ocean and how these are changing because of human activities. Field trips to a local intertidal rocky shore will provide students with an opportunity to collect their own data and use this to answer biological questions. Workshops will connect field-based activities with the practical skills required to write a scientific report. Upon subject completion, students will have a clear understanding of the breadth of marine biology disciplines and will have developed fundamental scientific skills and knowledge that can be applied in other subjects. |
| Analysis of Biological Data · 12.5 pts |
A capacity to interpret data is fundamental to making informed decisions in everyday life. The design of experiments, analysis, and interpretation of biological data also lie at the very heart of the scientific enterprise. You cannot be a scientist without an understanding of data and design. This subject introduces you to fundamental concepts in data science for biology, with emphasis on modern statistical methods. Drawing on real biological problems and datasets, as well as drawing on data collected by the class, the lectures cover foundational concepts in experimental design and statistical modelling. The subject emphasises hands-on problem solving. As well as a solid grounding in statistical methodology, you will also develop practical skills, developing your capacity to design experiments, collect data, and analyse those data using the R statistical environment. |
| Experimental Marine Biology · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the techniques and methods of undertaking marine biological research, including experimental and sampling design, data collection, statistical analysis of data, presentation of the research results and peer review. Students will participate in a group project, in which they will design, execute, analyse and interpret observational and experimental studies of marine animals, plants and algae in field and laboratory settings. |
Students select subjects according to the major requirements
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Ecology in Changing Environments · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the relevance of ecological and evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, their life history characteristics and how these traits are impacted by changing environmental conditions. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, climatic impacts on distribution and abundance, life history evolution and ecosystem stability and resilience. The skills developed in this subject provide an essential grounding for careers in ecology. |
| Marine Biodiversity and Biogeography · 12.5 pts |
The oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface and support an incredible diversity of life. This subject provides a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the biodiversity and biogeography of marine animals, plants and micro-organisms. It then explores the role that ecology and evolution play in shaping patterns of abundance, demography, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in the marine realm. |
| Problem Solving in Environmental Science · 12.5 pts |
This subject focuses on how science contributes to environmental decision-making and management. Students will investigate how science from different disciplines is used and apply it to the process of study design, monitoring, assessment, and evaluation. Workshops associated with each module will emphasize practical aspects of how decisions get made in the face of scientific uncertainty. An individual capstone project will provide opportunities for in-depth critical thinking and analysis in an area of interest chosen by the student. By the end of the subject, students will have developed a scientific toolbox that they can use to solve real-world environmental problems after graduation whether undertaking further study or in the workforce. |