Program Overview

Introduction to the Marine Biology Major

The Marine Biology major at Murdoch University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the biota and ecological processes of marine environments. This major emphasizes fundamental biological principles and their application to successful marine management, coupled with extensive opportunities for fieldwork.

Overview of the Major

The Marine Biology major offers students a detailed understanding of the diversity of marine life, interactions between species, and the interactions between biota and the physical environment. Specialized units cover topics such as fish, wildlife populations, and aquaculture. Students are encouraged to combine marine biology with a second minor or major to broaden their skills and enhance employment opportunities.

Structure of the Major

The Marine Biology major consists of 24 credit points, including:

• Required Units: 18 credit points
  • BIO180: Introduction to Marine Biology (3 cp)
  • BIO254: Marine Botany (3 cp)
  • BIO244: Animal Diversity (3 cp)
  • BIO377: Marine Ecology (3 cp)
  • ENV244: Oceanography and Marine Pollution (3 cp)
  • BIO303: Marine Wildlife Populations and Management (3 cp)
• Specified Electives: 6 credit points
  • ENV331: Environmental Management (3 cp)
  • BIO380: Aquaculture (3 cp)
  • BIO393: Tropical Marine Biology (3 cp)
  • ENV344: Liveaboard Oceanography, Systems and Processes (3 cp)
  • ECS200: Applied Ecological Approaches (3 cp)

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Marine Biology major include:

• Entry Requirements: As per normal undergraduate admission requirements
• English Language Requirements: Equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Marine Biology major, students will be able to:

1. Estimate the number of marine organisms and analyze their population features
2. Observe communities of marine organisms and determine the factors influencing their structure
3. Assess and advise on the causes, effects, prevention, and control of introduced species
4. Design laboratory and field experiments using numerical and statistical skills
5. Design and carry out environmental impact assessments to determine whether change is caused by natural or human factors
6. Develop long-term programs for monitoring environmental pollution
7. Provide guidance on fisheries management
8. Provide information and recommendations for the development of marine conservation and harvesting policies and programs, including aquaculture
9. Write scientific reports on research and investigations and prepare more general information for scientific, managerial, political, and general audiences
10. Advise managers, politicians, primary producers, healthcare workers, and the general public on management and conservation of marine biological resources
11. Begin higher-level studies, including independent research, in marine biology

Research Areas

The Marine Biology major is associated with the following research areas:

• Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Environmental Sciences

Program Details

• Owning College: College of Environmental and Life Sciences
• Owning School: Environmental and Conservation Sciences
• Enrolment Patterns: Part-time, Full-time
• Credit Points: 24
• Version: 09
• Version Start Date: 01/07/2024
• End Date: 30/06/2024