Extended Major Overview
- Description
Western Australia's marine estate is unique globally. It features a vast array of marine and coastal environments, oceanographic conditions, and is a biodiversity hotspot with up to 80 per cent of its fish, invertebrates and other organisms found nowhere else in the world. This makes WA an ideal living laboratory for your marine studies. This extended major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing a deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the marine biology and marine and coastal processes majors. It combines knowledge of marine life with a solid understanding of the physical process across all coastal marine environments. Through experimental design and research, both in the field and in laboratories, you will learn to appreciate the complex interactions that occur between marine ecosystems and physical processes. During your studies, you will gain practical experience through field trips (several of which are overnight) and computer-based labs. This extended major is the ultimate multi- and interdisciplinary learning environment that will best place you to continue your studies as a postgraduate student or pursue a career in a marine-related discipline after graduation.
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) recognise the relationship between structure, function and process at all biological levels: molecular, cellular, organismal, population, community and ecosystem; (2) apply scientific principles, incorporating theoretical concepts, keen observation, sound experimental design, analysis and insightful interpretation, into marine research.; (3) demonstrate a knowledge of the diversity, life history strategies and functional traits of marine biota; (4) demonstrate a solid understanding of the physical processes that operate in marine and coastal environments; (5) demonstrate an understanding of complex interactions between the physical and biotic components of marine environments and the range of scales at which these interactions can occur.; (6) recognize how the interactions between the physical and biotic components can influence decisions about marine and coastal management; (7) develop skills in computational, mathematical, programming and statistical techniques commonly used in marine research; (8) conduct quantitative marine research in a safe, ethical and professional manner; and (9) demonstrate competency in high-level critical thinking and communication skills suited to gaining employment in marine science.
- Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office. If you are completing this major in a Combined Bachelor's masters Course, you have elected to pursue a highly specialised and in-depth program of study in your chosen field. While you are encouraged to use the free elective units available in your course to study in other disciplines offered at UWA, your formal requirement to broaden your course will be met through the Honours and Postgraduate units which form an integral part of your course.
- Prerequisites
Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units.
Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.
- Incompatibilities
MJD-MARSC Marine Science (ID 1242) MJD-MBIOL Marine Biology (ID 4848) MJD-MARCP Marine Coastal Processes (ID 4849)
- Courses
Marine Science can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
Example Study Plan
See study plans for more information.
Units
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
Year 2 Core — Students to choose CITS2401 or CITS1501
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (36 points):
Students can take CITS1501 Introduction to Programming with Python OR CITS2401 Computer Analysis and Visualisation
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | None |
| S2 | BIOL1131 | Plant and Animal Biology | None |
| S2 | CITS1501 | Introduction to Programming with Python | None |
| S1 | EART1105 | Dynamic Planet | None |
| S1, S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis | |
| S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
Bridging units
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721 or SCIE1500.
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and either MATH1721 or SCIE1500.
Note: MATH1721 should be taken if also considering majors or minors that require it for progression to level 2 (e.g. Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science).
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods | |
| S1, S2 | SCIE1500 | Analytical Methods for Scientists |
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (42 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL2204 | Marine Biology |
|
| S2 | EART2204 | Coastal Processes | |
| S2 | ENVT2221 | Global Climate Change and Biodiversity |
|
| S1 | ENVT2250 | Ecology | |
| S1, S2 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
| S2 | OCEN2001 | Energy from Oceans | None |
| S1 | SCIE2204 | Marine Systems |
|
Level 3
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (30 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL3305 | Fisheries Science: Foundation and Application |
|
| S1 | ENVT3306 | Coastal Conservation and Management |
|
| S2 | ENVT3307 | Oceanography |
|
| S2 | ENVT3362 | Environmental Dynamics |
|
| S1 | SCIE3304 | Field Techniques in Marine Science |
|