Marine Science major
Note: this major is only available to re-enrolling students.
If you are fascinated by our amazing marine and coastal environments then Marine Science is the major for you. Western Australia's marine environment is a biodiversity hotspot with up to 80 per cent of fish, invertebrates and other organisms found nowhere else in the world, making WA an ideal living laboratory for your studies. This major includes marine biology and ecology, marine and coastal management, and oceanography. It combines knowledge of marine aquatic life with a solid understanding of the physical environment. Through experimental design and research you will learn to appreciate the complex interactions that occur in marine ecosystems. It is envisaged that there will be up to three overnight field trips (cost of food and accommodation of up to $500 for around 10 nights to be borne by the student).
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) appreciate the complex interactions between the physical and biotic components of marine ecosystems; (2) understand the range of scales at which these interactions can occur; (3) demonstrate a knowledge of the diversity, life history strategies and functional traits of marine biota; (4) appreciate how the interactions between the physical and biotic components can influence decisions about sustainable management; and (5) conduct quantitative marine research in a safe and professional manner.
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. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. 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.
Prerequisites
ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher.
Marine Science can 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 is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
- two Level 3 complementary units
- two Level 4 complementary units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Coastal and Ocean Systems specialisation
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL1131 | Plant and Animal Biology | |
| S1 | EART1105 | Dynamic Planet |
|
Take all complementary units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis | |
| S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
|
Marine Biology specialisation
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL1131 | Plant and Animal Biology | |
| S1 | EART1105 | Dynamic Planet |
|
Take all complementary units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | SCIE1104 | Science, Society and Data Analysis | |
| S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
|
Level 2
Coastal and Ocean Systems specialisation
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | EART2204 | Coastal Processes | |
| S1 | SCIE2204 | Marine Systems |
Take the following complementary unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL2204 | Marine Biology | |
| S2 | ENVT2221 | Global Climate Change and Biodiversity |
Marine Biology specialisation
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | BIOL2204 | Marine Biology | |
| S1 | SCIE2204 | Marine Systems |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT2250 | Ecology | |
| S1, S2 | GEOG2201 | Geographic Information Systems |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | EART2204 | Coastal Processes | |
| S2 | ENVT2221 | Global Climate Change and Biodiversity |
Level 3
Coastal and Ocean Systems specialisation
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT3306 | Coastal Conservation and Management |
|
| S2 | ENVT3307 | Oceanography |
|
| S2 | ENVT3362 | Environmental Dynamics | |
| S1 | SCIE3304 | Field Techniques in Marine Science |
Marine Biology specialisation
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT3306 | Coastal Conservation and Management |
|
| S2 | ENVT3307 | Oceanography |
|
| S2 | ENVT3363 | Ecological Processes | |
| S1 | SCIE3304 | Field Techniques in Marine Science |
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
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 degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science course.
- Coastal and Ocean Systems specialisation
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-MARSC-1
- Marine Biology specialisation
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-MARSC-2
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Marine Science degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science course.
- Coastal and Ocean Systems specialisation
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-MARSC-Generic-1
- Marine Biology specialisation
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-MARSC-Generic-2
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .