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, identifying anthropogenic impacts, and mitigating these effects.

Overview of the Marine Science Major

The Marine Science major covers a range of specialized units, including marine biodiversity, marine biology, oceanography, marine ecology, and coastal and marine management. Students learn to apply knowledge of underlying oceanographic, chemical, biological, ecological, and management principles to the multidisciplinary challenges facing the marine environment.

Structure of the Marine Science Major

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

• BIO180: Introduction to Marine Biology (3 cp)
• BIO244: Animal Diversity (3 cp)
• BIO254: Marine Botany (3 cp)
• BIO377: Marine Ecology (3 cp)
• CHE140: Fundamentals of Chemistry (3 cp)
• CHE144: Foundations of Chemistry (3 cp)
• ENV102: Foundations of the Environment (3 cp)
• ENV242: Atmospheric and Climate Science (3 cp)
• ENV244: Oceanography and Marine Pollution (3 cp)
• ENV333: Coastal and Marine Management (3 cp)
• MAS183: Statistical Data Analysis (3 cp)

Available Courses

The Marine Science major is available in the following courses:

• B1317: Bachelor of Science (72 credit points)
• B1324: Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science (120 credit points)

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Marine Science major is subject to the following 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 they will be required to work with fresh tissue from dead animals in certain units.
• Entry requirements (onshore): 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.
• English language requirements: Equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the Marine Science major, students will be able to:

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

The Marine Science major provides students with a range of professional outcomes, including:

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

Program Details

• Credit points: 33
• Enrolment pattern(s): Part Time, Full Time
• Owning college: College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (PRE 2023)
• Owning school: Environmental and Conservation Sciences (PRE 2023)
• Version: 13
• Version start date: 01/07/2020
• End date: 31/12/2021