Marine Science [not available in 2020] major
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 fish, invertebrates and other organisms found nowhere else in the world. This makes WA an ideal living laboratory for your marine studies. This double major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the marine biology 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 the course of your studies you will gain practical experience through field trips (several of which are overnight) and computer based labs. This double major is the ultimate multi- and inter-disciplinary 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) apply the knowledge and skills required for employment related to marine science.
Degree-specific major
Marine Science [not available in 2020] can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Marine Science [not available in 2020] is a degree-specific double major comprising:
- six Level 1 units
- seven Level 2 units
- five Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2020 |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2021 or 2022.
Level 1
Take all units (36 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | |
| S2 | BIOL1131 | Plant and Animal Biology | |
| S1, S2 | CITS1401 | Computational Thinking with Python |
|
| S1 | EART1105 | Dynamic Planet |
|
| S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis | |
| S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
|
Level 2
Take all units (42 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL2204 | Marine Biology |
|
| S2 | CITS2402 | Introduction to Data Science | |
| S2 | EART2204 | Coastal Processes | |
| S2 | ENVT2221 | Global Climate Change and Biodiversity | |
| S1 | ENVT2250 | Ecology | |
| S1, S2 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
| S1 | SCIE2204 | Marine Systems |
Level 3
Take all units (30 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 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 |
Choosing your degree-specific major
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Marine Science [not available in 2020] degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course .
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .