Program Overview

Introduction to the Marine Science Major

The Marine Science major at Murdoch University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex physical, chemical, biological, and ecological processes in the ocean. This major enables students to develop skills in assessing the state of the marine environment and identifying and mitigating anthropogenic impacts.

Overview

Murdoch University offers a Marine Science major at the undergraduate level, focusing on the complex processes in the ocean. Students learn to assess the marine environment and mitigate human impacts. Specialized units cover marine biodiversity, marine biology, oceanography, marine ecology, and coastal and marine management.

Structure

The Marine Science major consists of 33 credit points, including required units such as:

• BIO180: Introduction to Marine Biology
• BIO244: Animal Diversity
• BIO254: Marine Botany
• BIO377: Marine Ecology
• CHE140: Fundamentals of Chemistry
• CHE144: Foundations of Chemistry
• ENV102: Foundations of the Environment
• ENV242: Atmospheric and Climate Science
• ENV244: Oceanography and Marine Pollution
• ENV333: Coastal and Marine Management
• MAS183: Statistical Data Analysis

Admission Requirements

Enrolment Restrictions

Enrolment is subject to restriction due to constraints on unit enrolments.

Special Requirements

Students undertaking units in Marine Science will not be required to kill any vertebrate animal but will be required to work with fresh tissue from dead animals in certain units.

Entry Requirements

As per normal undergraduate admission requirements, there are no prerequisites for admission, but it is highly desirable for students to have undertaken ATAR: Chemistry or WACE: Chemistry 3A/3B and at least ATAR: Mathematics Applications or TEE: Discrete Mathematics or WACE: Mathematics 2C/2D. Students not undertaking these recommended subjects will need to take additional units in their first year at university.

English Language Requirements

Equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge of underlying oceanographic, chemical, biological, ecological, and management principles to the multidisciplinary challenges facing the marine environment.
2. Efficiently use scientific equipment relevant to marine science.
3. Handle marine biota in a safe and ethical manner.
4. Collect appropriate scientific data by oceanographic, atmospheric, and ecological sampling to monitor the ocean and anthropogenic impacts.
5. Analyse and interpret quantitative marine science data, including the use of statistics and spatial analysis.
6. Communicate multidisciplinary scientific data and concepts to diverse audiences, including scientists, policy makers, regulators, and the general community.
7. Collaborate effectively in group situations, including those with multicultural and multidisciplinary diversity.
8. Critically reflect on, and integrate, theoretical and practical perspectives of marine science into future work practices as a lifelong learner.

Professional Outcomes

Recommended Majors: Environmental Science; Conservation and Wildlife Biology; Environmental Management and Sustainability. Recommended Minors: Applied Statistics; Fisheries Science; Marine Biology.

Program Details

• Version: 08
• Version Start Date: 01/07/2020
• End Date: 30/06/2020
• Owning College: College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (PRE 2023)
• Owning School: Environmental and Conservation Sciences (PRE 2023)
• Enrolment Pattern(s): Part Time, Full Time
• Credit Points: 33