Marine Science (Advanced)

Overview

Overview

The need to sustain Australia's marine environment is evermore important as we face the increasing impacts of climate change, resources extraction and coastal development.

In this you will gain a strong scientific understanding of the complexities of marine ecosystems and the ability to apply practical and technological tools for their sustainable management.

This is an Advanced Science (Honours) degree designed for high-performing students to pursue their interest in marine science through research, leadership and entrepreneurship. This degree is an opportunity to meet the need for increased research into coastal environments while managing the sustainability of current and future anthropogenic activities within marine and coastal systems.

You'll study marine science with an emphasis on marine biology, oceanographic sciences and resource management. Fields of study include biology, sustainable aquaculture, environmental impact assessment, marine taxonomy/biodiversity, marine ecology, geomorphology and the physical environment of the coastal zone.

While your studies will focus on Australian marine ecosystems, the course also includes international case studies. 

You'll gain practical experience through a range of field-based experiences in marine environments. You'll also complete a capstone experience where you'll have the opportunity to pursue marine science projects ranging from pure research through to translational (entrepreneurial) science.

As an Advanced Science student, you can also explore the field of marine science through for-credit immersive research experiences, industry placement and/or interdisciplinary team-based projects.

This course has been designed with industry input and is delivered by staff with research experience in fields such as fish ecology, coral reef ecology, marine pollution, coastal geomorphology, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

What you'll learn

• Exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge and excellence in scientific research and application in marine science, recognising its links to other disciplines. Contribute new knowledge to the marine field by designing appropriate investigations, including using field, laboratory, or remote sensing techniques; accessing, synthesising, and critically evaluating knowledge from a range of sources; analysing and interpreting data; and constructing arguments and conclusions while recognising the limitations in the approaches used, GC1
• Be resilient and equipped to engage in self-driven, continuous and reflective discipline and professional lifelong learning and development, demonstrating acquired marine science and entrepreneurship skills in fostering innovation in areas of marine biodiversity, ecology, oceanography, ecosystem management and fisheries to creatively explore problems and drive positive change, GC2
• Effectively capacity build, communicate and promote the value of sharing ideas, knowledge, approaches and solutions around marine science, marine ecosystems and their management to a range of audiences (academia, industry, government and public), for a range of purposes using a variety of oral, textual, visual modes or other digital media, GC3
• Demonstrate awareness of global citizenship, and capability to address complex global problems in the marine environment by applying practical and/or theoretical scientific techniques and clean technologies, recognising that scientific endeavours are required to comply with ethical and environmentally sustainable standards and to reduce inequalities, GC4
• Demonstrate an advanced and coherent understanding of the nature and relevance of marine resources, sustainability and marine science, the social and cultural context of scientific thought in the marine realm, and the contribution of different knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives, especially around connections between humans and marine ecosystems and marine ecosystem management, GC5
• Demonstrate accountability, integrity and work responsibly and respectfully with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and ways of working in a range of applied settings, including laboratory and field contexts, both as an independent, self-directed scientist and collaboratively within multi-stakeholder partnerships, with cognisance of equity, equality and all appropriate regulatory and professional considerations within and adjacent to the marine science sector, GC6