Course overview

Description

The spectacular coastal and marine environments off the vast coastline of Western Australia are shaped by a wide range of dynamic physical, chemical, geological and biological processes occurring within the Indian and Southern Oceans. These ocean processes shape the present and future status of diverse marine ecosystems, how humans interact with the oceans, and the risk to coastal populations from hazards, including climate change. This course emphasises learning through practical work to gain knowledge and skills in oceanography that underpins understanding of a range of marine and coastal systems, with a broad focus extending from the nearshore zone (including beaches and estuaries) to continental shelf waters and the deep ocean. Practical work includes fieldwork, hands-on laboratory work and computer-based problem solving. Application of practical skills and interdisciplinary knowledge in oceanography opens pathways for a wide range of career opportunities. The course will prepare graduates to tackle the challenges presented by rapid climatic and environmental changes occurring within marine and coastal environments.

Course title
Master of Oceanography (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MOcean
Course code
71590
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Earth Sciences
CRICOS code
107555J

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 Oceanography has the following exit awards: 74270 Graduate Certificate in Oceanography (24 points) (24 points), 74360 Graduate Diploma in Marine Sciences (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; or postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-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 Jeff Hansen
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.

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2024 – may be available in 2025 or 2026
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 Science, Marine and Coastal Processes, or Integrated Earth and Marine Science, or equivalent as recognised by the School of Earth Science and Oceans Graduate 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
S2CITS1501Introduction to Programming with PythonNoneLectures: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks; Labs: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks from week 1.
S2ENVT3307Oceanography
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) SCIE2204 Marine Systems
lectures: 2 hours per week; laboratories: 2 hours per week from week 2
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.
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication of Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73660 Master of Medical Physics
Incompatibility
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
and SCOM2208 Science Writing (ID 1559)
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.

Take all units (36 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSEART4415Coastal Hazards and Adaptation
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71590 Master of Oceanography
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 62540 Master of Ocean Leadership
or HON-MARSC Marine Science
or 62570 Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
2 x 4 hour blocks of contact hours per week for six weeks; up to 2 x one day fieldtrips
NSGEOS4413Climate Geoscience
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-GEOGY Geology
or HON-MARSC Marine Science
or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science
or 72550 Master of Geoscience
or 72540 Master of Hydrogeology
or 73540 Master of Petroleum Geoscience
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Lectures and practical work. There may be a one-day field trip (TBC)
NSGEOS5514Marine Geoscience
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73540 Master of Petroleum Geoscience
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
2 x 4 hours workshops per week for 6 weeks
S1GEOS5515Coastal Dynamics
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71590 Master of Oceanography
or 62570 Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
4 hour workshops per week
NSOCEN4008Physical Oceanography
Prerequisites
Enrolment in 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 62570 Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
or

Successful completion of
( ENVT3307 Oceanography
or ENSC3010 Hydraulics
or ENSC3003 Fluid Mechanics

or CITS1401 Computational Thinking with Python
or CITX1401 Computational Thinking with Python
or CITS2401 Computer Analysis and Visualisation
)
2 x 4 hour workshops per week for 6 weeks
NSOCEN4010Ocean Observational Methods and Modelling
Prerequisites
Enrolment in 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 62570 Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
or
( ENVT3307 Oceanography
or ENSC3010 Hydraulics
or ENSC3003 Fluid Mechanics
and
CITS2401 Computer Analysis and Visualisation
or CITS1401 Computational Thinking with Python
or CITX1401 Computational Thinking with Python
)
2 x 4 hour workshops per week for 6 weeks

Students in the course by coursework only take 6 points:

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2GEOS5596Geoscience Internship
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72550 Master of Geoscience
or 73540 Master of Petroleum Geoscience
internship or placement hours as appropriate up to 150 hours.

Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 24 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCIE5517Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 1
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
71590 Master of Oceanography
Successful completion of
and 48 points Unit(s) Levels 4 and 5 units and approval of the course coordinator/head of school
Supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program at the start of semester.
S1, S2SCIE5518Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 2
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE5517 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 1
supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester
S1, S2SCIE5519Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 3
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) SCIE5517 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 1
and Unit(s) SCIE5518 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 2
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE5518 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 2
supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction programme starting the week before semester.
S1, S2SCIE5520Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 4
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) SCIE5517 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 1
and Unit(s) SCIE5518 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 2
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
Unit(s) SCIE5519 Masters Research Project in Oceanography Part 3
supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction programme starting the week before semester.

Students in the course by coursework only take 30 points but must include at least 18 points at Level 5. Students in the course by coursework and dissertation take 12 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2ENVT4408GIS Programming
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
or Enrolment in
ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications
or GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems
42 hours
S1ENVT4409Remote Sensing of the Environment
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
Unit(s) ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications
Or Unit(s) GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems
42
N/AENVT5502Marine and Coastal Planning and Management
Prerequisites
SCIE4402 Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences
or completion of 12 points at Level 4 or equivalent or higher,
or approval of unit coordinator
Incompatibility
EART3331 Marine and Coastal Planning and Management.
EART8331 Marine and Coastal Planning and Management
3 hours per week (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours)
S1ENVT5562GIS and Spatial Analysis: Coastal Resilience
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications
Incompatibility
Unit(s) ENVT5508 Advanced Spatial Analytics
and Unit(s) ENVT5561 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Multifunctional Landscapes
and Unit(s) ENVT5565 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Sensor Networks
and Unit(s) ENVT5563 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Waterway Restoration
and Unit(s) ENVT5564 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Contaminated Sites
150
S2ENVT5566Advanced Spatial and Environmental Modelling
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications
or Unit(s) GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems
or Successful completion of
one Unit(s) ENVT5561 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Multifunctional Landscapes
or Unit(s) ENVT5562 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Coastal Resilience
or Unit(s) ENVT5563 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Waterway Restoration
or Unit(s) ENVT5564 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Contaminated Sites
or Unit(s) ENVT5565 GIS and Spatial Analysis: Sensor Networks
or Enrolment in
62550 Master of Professional Engineering
total of 150 hours
NSLAWS5179Law of the SeaNoneTeaching dates for this unit are 16,18,23,25 October 2024. Please refer to the timetable website for session times and venues. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
S2OCEN4007Renewable Ocean Energy
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
62550 Master of Professional Engineering (Environmental Engineering specialisation
or Mechanical Engineering specialisation)
or 62560 Master of Renewable and Future Energy
or 62520 Master of Low Emission Energy Technologies
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
or 62570 Master of Offshore and Coastal Engineering
Incompatibility
For Master of Professional Engineering (Mining Engineering specialisation): GENG5506 Renewable Energy
lectures: 3 x 45 mins per week; practical classes: 2 x 1 hrs per week; labs: 3 hours every third week
NSOCEN5002Ocean Engineering and TechnologyNone
N/APLNG5511Climate Change Policy and PlanningNoneOne day a week over six weeks.
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

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) 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 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, environmental, engineering or physical sciences; or 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 Oceanography (24 points)
  • 74360 Graduate Diploma in Marine Sciences (48 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Oceanography course before completing it, but after completing 24 points, which includes at least 18 points from course core units and at least 18 points from units offered in the course, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Oceanography.

(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Oceanography course before completing it, but after completing 48 points, which includes at least 24 points from core units and at least 24 points from units offered in the course, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Marine Sciences.

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 Science, Marine and Coastal Processes, or Integrated Earth and Marine Science, or equivalent as recognised by the School of Earth Science and Oceans Graduate 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).