Marine Biology

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology - BScMarBiol

Fast Facts
Course Level:	Undergraduate
Course Length:	Three years full- time or equivalent part-time. Four years with Honours.   Combined Degrees: Marine Biology / Innovation and Enterprise (Science & Technology)  - one additional year to your full-time study program; and Marine Biology / Diploma in Language - one additional year to your full-time study program.
Location:	Taught on-campus at Flinders.
Available To:	Australian and international students.
Prerequisites:	None. Knowledge of Year 11 Mathematics and/or Physics is desirable.
SATAC Code:	214451
Entry Cutoff Scores:	Tertiary Education Rank (TER) - Science & Engineering Bonus Points Scheme for High School Students
Course Program Details:	A program of study is available in the University's Course Information Handbook.

About the Course

• scale of processes in the marine environment;
• links between biodiversity and functioning of marine systems;
• impact of coastal developments and aquaculture on near-shore marine environments;
• growth, reproduction and ecological sustainability of commercially important species;
• effects of global climate change on coastal ecosystems;
• efficiency of Marine Protected Areas in conserving local biodiversity;
• impacts of marine pest species and possibilities to control marine bioinvasion; and
• marine biotechnology and bioprospecting for novel marine resources.

• marine policy and planning in government (local, state and Commonwealth);
• environmental consultancies;
• industry sectors such as aquaculture, fisheries and marine-based tourism; and
• University and Government funded marine research institutions (incl. SARDI Aquatic Sciences, as well as and local, interstate and international Universities)..

• marine conservation;
• marine resource monitoring and management (including fisheries);
• marine environmental impact and ecological effects of aquaculture;
• marine ecotourism;
• the coastal aquatic sectors of the hospitality and leisure industries; and
• marine microbiology and biotechnology.

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Adds an additional year to your full-time study program.

If you want to boost your business, management, enterprise and communication skills, and undertake a concentrated period of practical work experience, consider combining this degree with the Bachelor of Innovation and Enterprise (Science and Technology) (BIE). You’ll graduate with two degrees. More importantly, you’ll increase your immediate attractiveness to employers and your potential to become a business leader. You will need to apply for both the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and the BIE via SATAC.


What Will I Study?
 

First Year subjects include: general biology and chemistry, as well as marine science and professional skills for marine biologists; and elective topics of interest. Professional skills introduces the study habits you will need for successful progression through the degree, as well as specific skills and knowledge intended to maximise your employment options. Choice of electives can guide towards a specific employment area and we actively consult with students to make their respective choices.

Second Year introduces coasts and oceans, marine biodiversity and marine ecology in dedicated topics, as well as providing fundamental scientific research skills, including experimentation and statistics. You will get hands-on experience in field trips to investigate various coastal ecosystems. A wide range of elective topics are available to compliment the core topics through training in relevant scientific disciplines, such as aquaculture, environmental science, cell and molecular biology or evolution, behaviour and ecology.

Third Year examines fisheries and aquaculture science; the functional ecology of marine organisms; biological oceanography; living marine resources; critical analysis of marine biology literature; and research projects in marine biology involving self-directed study in a specialisation of your choice. Elective options are available in areas such as marine mammal biology, conservation biology, animal behaviour, community ecology, plant speciation and evolution, molecular biology, microbiology, GIS, remote sensing, environmental impact assessment, hydrology and analytical chemistry.

• At no time in our history has there been a greater need for well trained marine biologists to research, monitor and report on marine processes and to manage and conserve living marine resources.
• The coastal ecosystems and ocean surrounding southern Australia has one of the highest biodiversities worldwide, yet has received relatively little scientific attention to date. This is about to change, as exciting new research initiatives are targeting towards exploring patterns and processes of our temperate marine life. There are many discoveries waiting to happen.  
• Marine biology is not just about the ecology of our temperate marine life. At Flinders you will be introduced to all aspects of marine science for a well rounded education. This degree also combines technical depth with great flexibility, allowing you to tailor your progress, skills and knowledge to suit your interests.
• Great emphasis is placed on team work, project design, sampling protocols, in-depth analysis, and written and oral communication, including discussion of key topics. These generic skills will prepare you for employment in a wide range of potential disciplines. In addition, you may spend substantial amounts of time conducting practical exercises on marine organisms, collecting real data from the marine environment and undertaking research projects onshore, in our aquarium facilities, or at sea. These specific skills will ensure that you have the relevant hands-on experience to make you competitive for jobs in marine biology.
• At Flinders we have a large team of marine biologists, aquaculturists and oceanographers undertaking world-class research on current issues in marine science. This ensures a relevant and up-to-date education from a broad range of perspectives.
• The marine biology staff have links into the Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry, as well as marine departments in State Government. Consequently, during your studies, you will be introduced to a range of local marine biology practitioners and taken on field trips to see the facilities at SARDI Aquatic Sciences West Beach and the Lincoln Marine Science Centre, as well as on board the SARDI research vessel Ngerin.

The formal course aims are set out in the Course rule and topic information for this degree.

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Entry requirements

• SACE (Year 12) or interstate equivalent;
• International Baccalaureate (IB);
• TAFE/VET;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT);
• Foundation Course/Bridging Program;
• Overseas qualifications;
• Tertiary Transfer (Grade Point Average - GPA); and
• Other access schemes are eligible to apply.

International Students
CRICOS Provider Code: 00114A
 

See the Why choose Flinders section for the following information about this and other Flinders courses:

• Tuition fees
• Course entry requirements
• English language requirements
• Australian visa and health cover requirements
• Scholarships Information for AusAID applicants

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More on Marine Biology

• the purpose-built $3.5 million Lincoln Marine Science Centre (LMSC) in Port Lincoln is currently undergoing a multimillion dollar expansion. Designed to provide essential infrastructure to support teaching and research in marine sciences, facilities at LMSC include fully equipped research vessels, advanced HPLC/analytical laboratories and a superb teaching laboratory situated within meters of the coastline.
• an extensive array of equipment & infrastructure to support marine research including current meters/profilers, flow-through fluorometers, underwater digital video, submersible multiprobes, particle-size analyser, and photo/video-microscopes.
• on campus we also have recirculating seawater aquarium systems with over 20,000 litres total capacity

• marine habitats, ecosystem processes and human impacts Prof Peter Fairweather)
• marine microbiology (A/Prof Jim Mitchell)
• coastal ecosystems & benthic ecology (Dr Sabine Dittmann)
• biochemistry and biodiversity of marine molluscs (Dr Kirsten Benkendorff)
• invertebrate reproduction & invasive species (Dr Toby Bolton)
• space-time dynamics in marine organisms (Dr Laurent Seuront)
• bivalve evolution and phylogenetics (Ms Ana Glavinic)
• saltmarsh ecology and ecosystem engineers (Ms Gitanjali Katrak)

• applied aquaculture genetics and reproduction (Dr Graham Mair)
• feed, nutrition, and trophic interactions (Dr Jian Guang Qin)
• aquatic animal health (Dr James Harris)
• tuna cell culture, biochemistry and flesh quality (Dr Kathy Schuller)
• aquaculture production, nutrition and flesh quality (Dr Philip Thomas)

Web Resourses
Disclaimer: The following links lead to a variety of Internet sites that are not affiliated with Flinders University. The presence of a link in the table below does NOT indicate an endorsement of the ownership, content or condition of the corresponding web site.

• South Australian Tertiary Admission Centre (SATAC)
  (http://www.satac.edu.au/)
  SATAC provides information about how to apply for undergraduate, professional, graduate and postgraduate courses offered by universities and TAFE Institutes in South Australia.
  
  
• The Flinders Research Centre for Coastal & Catchment Environments
  (http://frccce.flinders.edu.au/)
  The Centre undertakes and funds collaborative research into the improved monitoring and management of the vital health of coastal and water catchment ecosystems in South Australia and elsewhere.
   
• Marine Innovation South Australia (MISA)
  (http://www.misa.net.au)
  MISA aims to position South Australia as a world class centre for marine science, education and industry development. The program is an initiative of the South Australian Government representing a partnership between the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Flinders University, University of Adelaide, the South Australian Museum, seafood industries and regional communities.
   
• Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA)
  (http://www.amsa.asn.au/)
  AMSA is the national professional organisation for marine scientists, and publishes a Quarterly Bulletin outlining recent developments in marine sciences in Australia. AMSA is responsible for the Annual AMSA conference (in Perth in 2002), as well as multiple regional workshops, meetings and sponsoring student development in the marine sciences.
  
  
• CSIRO Water for a Health Country Flagship
  (http://www.csiro.au/science/psu9.html)
  The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship is a national research program addressing one of Australia's most pressing natural resource issues - sustainable management of our water resources. It includes the CLLAMMecology Research Cluster, which is developing tools for evaluating water management options to sustain the economic and environmental health of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.
   
• Aquafin CRC
  (http://www.aquafincrc.com.au)
  The Aquafin CRC is a research and education provider for the sustainable aquaculture of finfish in Australia. The main research emphasis is on Atlantic salmon and southern bluefin tuna. The Aquafin CRC is a joint venture of a large group of research institutions, universities - including Flinders University, industry associations, companies and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. The Centre's effectiveness depends entirely on the collaborative efforts of these partners.
  
  
• Australian Institute for Marine Sciences (AIMS)
  (http://www.aims.gov.au/)
  AIMS is the premier Australian Commonwealth research agency charged with investigating Australia's tropical seas. Based in Townsville, Qld, AIMS have extensive research programs in coral reef ecology, and the biology of tropical marine species.
  
  
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
  (http://www.mbari.org/)
  MBARI is one of the premier marine research agencies specialising in deep sea research. Focussing most of its work in the Monterey Canyon, MBARI have an impressive array of technologies and highly accomplished scientific staff investigating this scarcely known environment.
  
  
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
  (http://www.whoi.edu/)
  WHOI is the largest independent oceanographic institution in the world. It is non-profit organisation dedicated to the study of marine sciences and the education of marine scientists. Much of WHOI's research relates to physical oceanography, however research programs within marine biology focus on global ocean ecosystems and biological oceanography.

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Further Information

• International students
• Australian students - Undergraduate & Postgraduate
• Other Flinders Courses

Apply Now!

• Australian students: the South Australian Tertiary Admission Centre (SATAC).
• International students: the University's International Office.

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