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MARINE SCIENCE

Are you passionate about the health of our oceans and life in our seas?


Our degree in marine science is the integrated study of our coasts and oceans. It covers marine biology and ecology, coastal processes, sea level change, marine geology, underwater archaeology, oceanography and ocean engineering, and the oceans as an economic resource and as a global climate regulator.

3 Year BSc (Hons) | Optional Year Industrial Placement (DPP) | Optional Year Study Abroad (DIAS)

WHY STUDY MARINE SCIENCE?


- Marine science is especially important today as climate change, pollution, and other factors are threatening the health of our oceans and marine life. In our degree, you'll explore the oceans as an essential global climate regulator and as a vast economic resource. 

- Oceans provide many opportunities for sustainable communities through renewable energy schemes, carbon sequestration and sustainable fishing. The Blue Economy (activities related to the ocean) is growing each year, and in 2018 was worth €566 billion while generating an estimated 3.5 million jobs across Europe.

- The human population, estimated at 7.6 billion in 2018, is expected to increase to 11 billion by 2100. With the majority of the world’s largest cities located in coastal zones, more than 75% of people are expected to live within 100 km of the coast by 2025. Managing fisheries for long-term sustainability is important to feed our growing world.

- At a time of unprecedented environmental change on Earth, society is having to adapt to processes and hazards that are poorly understood. Now, more than ever, society needs STEM graduates with an interdisciplinary understanding of the complexity and uncertainty of the marine and atmospheric systems, and with the skills and competencies to observe, measure, model and manage these systems. 

- We achieve this in our marine science degree through the integration of theoretical, practical and field-based approaches. Our Coleraine campus is ideally located on the Causeway Coast, one of the world’s most spectacular natural laboratories.

BSc Marine Science

BSc Marine Science

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THE COURSE

Year 1: The Fundamentals


You begin University life with a residential field school and then study modules related to sustainability, environmental processes, marine systems, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the lithosphere, all the time developing a range of data analysis skills.


Year 2: Processes and Skills

In Year 2 you will study GIS, marine remote sensing, marine ecology, environmental impact assessment, the atmosphere, coastal and marine systems, and attend a residential field school, gaining hands-on experience onboard research vessels, using state-of-the-art scientific equipment.   


Final Year: Applying Knowledge

In final year you will undertake modules on research skills and an independent research project with an academic supervisor, exploring a marine theme of your choice. GIS and remote sensing is continued as a transferrable skill, with coursework exploring marine geology, marine renewables and underwater archaeology. Other modules focus on environmental change and management. You will study applied physical, chemical and biological oceanography in the field and explore the modelling of marine species and habitats.

Contact hours​ Typically 15 hours per week

Independent learning Typically 25 hours per week 

Assessment Typically 15% by exam and 85% by continual assessment   

Degree classification 30% contribution from second year and 70% from final year modules

MODULES

Year 1: The Fundamentals

Skills Toolbox

Marine Systems

Society and Environment

The Hydrosphere

The Biosphere

The Lithosphere

Year 2: Processes and Skills

Marine Ecological Processes and Systems

The Atmosphere

GIS and Remote Sensing

Sustainable Planning
Coastal and Marine Processes

Marine Science Field School

Final Year: Applying Knowledge

Modelling Marine Species and Habitats

Environmental Change

Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

Research and Professional Skills

Applied Oceanography

Dissertation