Course overview

Description

UWA is uniquely placed with access to some of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world, with Western Australia's magnificent coastline hosting a range of oceanic and coastal environments; from the 'Great Southern Reef' in the southwest to Ningaloo Reef and the Kimberley in the northwest, plus hundreds of offshore islands. This diversity provides an excellent living laboratory for studying the complex interactions between marine organisms and their surrounding environments. In this course, students will learn through practical work, alongside theoretical studies, to gain knowledge and skills in marine biology and related fields. During this course you will

- Attend a residential field camp to Rottnest Island

- Interact with industry and government agencies that use and manage our marine resources

- Be exposed to modern analytical tools through hands-on practical sessions

- Strengthen your quantitative skills and application of science into industry practice and management in preparation for a career in industry or as a researcher.

Students will have access to world-leading facilities at the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) and will be learning from internationally recognised experts to help give you the best opportunities to kick start your career. This opens pathways into further research training or for employment in a wide range of career opportunities related to managing marine and coastal environments. This is especially relevant to challenges presented by climatic and environmental change that impact these important coastal zones.

Course title
Master of Marine Biology (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MMarBiol
Course code
74540
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Biological Sciences
CRICOS code
107725G

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Articulation
The Master of Marine Biology has the following exit awards: 74270 Graduate Certificate in Marine Biology (24 points) (24 points), 74360 Graduate Diploma in Marine Biology (48 points) (48 points)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
1.5 years at the minimum volume of learning full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
Maximum course duration
2 years at the maximum volume of learning full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Multi-mode
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Dr Jane Prince and Dr Renae Hovey
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Students who have not completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Marine Biology or equivalent as recognised by the School. must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1BIOL4411Marine Field Studies
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science (ID 165)
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology (ID 1902)
Co-requisites
SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (ID 2216)
Incompatibility
SCIE3304 Field Techniques in Marine Science (ID 1284)
lectures/tutorials: 1 hour per week; labs: 3 hours per week; Residential field trip: 5-7 days (charges—cost of food and accommodation is borne by the student)
S2ENVT4413Marine Ecosystems
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCIE2204 Marine Systems
and Unit(s) BIOL2204 Marine Biology
Lectures: equivalent to 2 hours per week (online); Practical exercises: equivalent to 2 hours per week (online); workshops: 2 hours per fortnight (face to face); field excursion: one 3hr session.
S1, S2GENE4002Integrated Topics in Genetics I
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71540 Master of Health Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
Unit(s) GENE2230 Molecular Genetics I
and Unit(s) GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance
6 x 2 hr workshops over the course of a semester.
S1, S2SCIE4401Data Use in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Incompatibility
STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
and SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours.

Take all units (30 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2BIOL4407Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science (ID 165)
or 70630 Master of Science (ID 202)
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science (ID 359)
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology (ID 389)
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science (ID 390)
or BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours) (ID 4)
or 62540 Master of Ocean Leadership (ID 1432)
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
150 hours in total
NSBIOL4408Marine Ecology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science (ID 165)
or 70630 Master of Science (ID 202)
or Of BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours) (ID 4)
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology (ID 1902)
This unit is block-taught during the summer semester and involves a field trip of five days plus travel time at a cost of up to 0 to the student, plus up to four days of lectures and planning (including occupational health and safety) and up to four days of analysis and presentation of results. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours, up to 100 of which are contact hours.
S2BIOL5504Sex in the Sea
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science (ID 165)
or 70630 Master of Science (ID 202)
or 62540 Master of Ocean Leadership (ID 1432)
and Unit(s) SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences (ID 2211) or equivalent
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences
one day per week for six weeks
S1, S2SCIE4402Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-CONBI Conservation Biology
or HON-ZOOLY Zoology
or HON-BOTNY Botany
or HON-AGSCI Agricultural Science
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or HON-NRMGT Natural Resource Management
or HON-MARSC Marine Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 74230 Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
and Successful completion of
any one STAT1400 Statistics for Science
or STAX1400 Statistics for Science
or STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
or SCIE4401 Data Use in Science
or ENVT4422 Research Methods in Environmental Science
5 days (1 day per fortnight). The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
S1SCIE5505Global Change and the Marine Environment
Prerequisites
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
7 hours per week for 6 weeks

Students in the course by coursework only take 12 points. Students must complete SCIE5004 and choose another six points from the remaining units.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCIE5004Professional Skills in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 51580 Master of Science Communication
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72520 Master of Biological Science 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
and Successful completion of
48 points in your chosen degree
S1, S2SCIE5005Science in Practice
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) SCIE5004 Professional Skills in Science
1x 2hr session per week contact by consultation as required
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.

Students in the course by coursework only take 30 points of which 12 must be at Level 5. Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 6 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2BIOL5301Big Data, Modelling and Meta-analysis in Biology, Conservation and the Environment
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences (ID 2211)
(possibly) 10 half days of contact
S2BIOL5542Conservation Genetics
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
and Successful completion of
one Unit(s) GENE4002 Integrated Topics in Genetics I
or Unit(s) GENE2250 Principles of Inheritance
or Unit(s) BIOL3364 Evolutionary Processes
The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
S1, S2ENVT4411Geographic Information Systems Applications
Incompatibility
Unit(s) GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems (ID 1384)
The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit.
S1ENVT5509Global Ecological Challenges
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 62560 Master of Renewable and Future Energy
lectures/presentation/discussions: 2 hours per week (13 sessions over 7 weeks) The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
S1ENVT5512Ecosystem Biogeochemistry
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 70630 Master of Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
one full day per week for six consecutive weeks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours)
S1ENVT5575Aquaculture and the Blue Economy
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
Lectures: 20 x 1hr (Online and Face to Face) Workshops: 3 x 3hr (Face to Face)
S2ENVT5576Aquatic Ecology
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or HON-GGRPY Geographical Sciences
1x2hr lecture 1x3hr laboratory/practical plus a field trip
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.
S2SCOM5309Citizen ScienceNoneLectures: 3 x 15 minute online lectures per week for 11 weeks Workshops: 12 x 2 hour workshops Self-directed learning (reading/online): 2 hours per week for 10 weeks

Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 36 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2BIOL5552Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology (ID 1902) and satisfy eligibility criteria for research project
or dissertation
independent research and study plus regular meetings with supervisors
S1, S2BIOL5553Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 2
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology (ID 1902) and satisfy eligibility criteria for research project
or dissertation
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
Unit(s) BIOL5552 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1
independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors
S1, S2BIOL5554Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 3
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science (ID 165)
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
and Unit(s) BIOL5552 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1 (ID 6635)
and Unit(s) BIOL5553 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 2 (ID 6636)
independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors
S1, S2BIOL5555Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 5
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science (ID 165)
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology (ID 1902)
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
Unit(s) BIOL5552 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1 (ID 6635) Unit(s) BIOL5553 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 2 (ID 6636) Unit(s) BIOL5554 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 3 (ID 6684) Unit(s) BIOL5557 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 4 Unit(s) BIOL5556 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Presentation Skills
independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors
S1, S2BIOL5556Masters in Biological Sciences Research Presentation Skills
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72520 Master of Biological Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology (ID 1902) and satisfy eligibility criteria for research project
or dissertation
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) BIOL5555 Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 4 (ID 6685)
seminar and discussion group: weekly; workshops: oral science communication and communicating science to the public
S1, S2BIOL5557Masters in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 4
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
the Master of Biological Science (72520) and (a) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of level 3 units in a relevant undergraduate major.
or (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of levels 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course.
Co-requisites
BIOL5551 Masters in Biological Sciences Masters Research Project Development, BIOL5552 Masters in Biological Sciences Masters Research Dissertation Part 1
independent research and project work plus regular meetings with supervisors

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module is not required to repeat the module.

(3) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a Bachelor of Science, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;

and

(c) successfully completed prior tertiary study in —marine science or marine biology; or in a related cognate discipline as recognised by UWA.

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:

  • 74270 Graduate Certificate in Marine Biology (24 points)
  • 74360 Graduate Diploma in Marine Biology (48 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Marine Biology course before completing it, but after completing 24 points, which includes at least 12 points from course core units may apply to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Marine Biology, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Marine Biology.

(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Marine Biology course before completing it, but after completing 48 points, which includes at least 36 points from course core units, may apply to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Marine Biology, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Marine Biology.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 24 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

(3) Students who have completed a bachelor's degree with a major in Marine Biology or equivalent as recognised by the School. are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Research Project

14. Students who request approval to undertake a research project as options in this course must—

(a) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their UWA undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the master's specialisation;

or

(b) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course; or equivalent as recognised by the School.

(c) have a supervisor, approved by the School, who has confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project.