Overview
Overview
This course is one of 16 majors offered in the Bachelor of Science degree.
Marine environments around the world are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, coastal development and resources extraction. This course responds to the growing need to protect Australia’s coastal waters in particular, with an emphasis on marine biology, oceanographic sciences and resource management.
This course has been designed in collaboration with industry, to ensure that you develop in-demand scientific research skills. Throughout your studies, you will learn to think as a marine scientist, gaining knowledge from staff with research expertise in fish ecology, coral reef ecology, marine pollution, seafloor mapping, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
You’ll also engage with professionals working in marine and coastal science and management organisations. These may include Curtin’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology and marine science consultancies, as well as Western Australia’s departments of Water and Environmental Regulation; Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Marine Science is also offered as a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) course.
Double degrees
You can extend your expertise and career opportunities by studying Marine Science as a double degree with Arts or Commerce. (You can choose from various majors in the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Commerce).
How this course will make you industry ready
- You'll undertake extensive fieldwork as part of this major, including a 10-day study tour to visit coastal infrastructure and installations on the Western Australian coast.
- You'll interact with professionals working in coastal zone management, such as WA's Department of Fisheries and Department of Environment and Conservation, as well as resource and tourism businesses.
- Curtin uses innovative teaching tools such as 'piercam' to bring the coastal environment into the classroom. Stationed on Ningaloo Reef, piercam is an underwater camera that broadcasts live vision via the web. A second camera will be installed on the North West Cape to track whale migration.
What jobs can the Marine Science course lead to?
Around the world, the increased recognition of the impacts of climate change and the need for sustainable resource management is driving the need for scientists with expertise in protecting coastal and marine environments.
Careers
- Marine scientist
- Aquaculturalist
- Ecotoxicologist
- Environmental consultant
- Natural resource manager
- Fisheries scientist
- Natural resource consultant
- Marine pollution control consultant
Industries
- Coastal management
- Marine conservation
- Aquaculture
- Fisheries
- Ecotourism
Further study
What you'll learn
- Exhibit a well-developed depth and breadth of knowledge, critical understanding and application in marine science, including at ocean basin, ecosystem, and organism levels., GC1
- Select, innovate and apply field, laboratory, and data techniques to address problems in the understanding and management of marine ecosystems via the design and development of investigations, and the accurate and ethical collection, analysis, visualisation, and interpretation of data and other forms of evidence, demonstrating awareness of limitations and reliability, GC2
- Synthesise, critically evaluate, and communicate information, arguments and ideas around marine science, marine ecosystems and management, demonstrating awareness of underlying assumptions and scientific merit; communicate across written, visual and oral modes, in face to face and digital contexts, and for a range of purposes and audiences, GC3
- Be adaptable within evolving professional contexts within the marine and environmental science, and adjacent sectors, demonstrating awareness of global citizenship and sustainability principles, their role in marine science and management, and a capacity to engage with complex global problems and stakeholders from a range of disciplines, backgrounds and communities, GC4
- Demonstrate a coherent and reflective understanding of the nature of marine science, the core ethics, the social and cultural context of scientific thought in the marine realm, and the contributions of different global knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives and practices, especially around connection between humans and marine ecosystems, GC5
- Demonstrate integrity and reflective and ethical professional behaviours, including responsible self-direction and collegial collaboration; working safely in diverse environments, including laboratory and field sites; showing respect for others’ voices, knowledge, ownership and agency, including cultural protocols and IP; and cognisance of all appropriate regulatory, cultural and professional considerations within and adjacent to the marine science sector, GC6
