Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science is built around a foundational core and 11 majors. The core subjects will help you develop a broad understanding of scientific theory, practice and technique, while your major allows you to specialise in your area of key interest. Across your first and second years, you’ll put your classroom learning into practice via hands-on scientific projects. Then, in your final year, you’ll collaborate with students from across the 11 majors, as well as with government, industrial, research or educational institutions to tackle real-world problems. This apprenticeship-style work will help you develop the competencies and expertise desired by employers, such as innovative problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication and organisational skills, and creativity.

Major: Marine Science

The world’s oceans are the largest ecosystems on the planet, vital for the supply of food, water and medicine, as well as for transportation and trade. But their long-term sustainability is under significant threat from human activity. This alarming situation, however, has prompted the rapid development of the blue economy, which seeks to balance economic growth, social equity and environmental preservation in order to safeguard our oceans for current and future generations.

The Marine Science major takes an exciting micro-to-macro view of marine organisms, considering everything from microbes to mammals, with a particular focus on Australia’s iconic marine megafauna, such as sharks and whales. Through a combination of thought-provoking lectures and workshops, hands-on lab and fieldwork, and exposure to cutting-edge research, you’ll develop a broad understanding of both theoretical and applied marine science. Such a distinct understanding will prepare you for a career in areas such as marine research or education, coastal and marine environmental assessment, aquaculture, coastal development and marine estate management.