Program Overview

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Biology and Marine Biology (MSci)

Award: Integrated Masters degree in Science

Typical Offer: AAB

Duration: 4 years

Course Type: Full-time

Campus: Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton) and Highfield

UCAS Course code: 7N16

About this course

With our MSci degree in biology and marine biology, you’ll develop knowledge about the living world from the molecular level to entire ecosystems across both terrestrial and marine biology. You'll learn through lectures, laboratory work, and by doing fieldwork in the UK and abroad. You’ll be well equipped for careers involving research, conservation, inshore fisheries and habitat management.

Our master's degree in biology and marine biology will give you knowledge and understanding of living organisms at several levels - from the molecular, through cells and whole organisms, to ecosystems. It will also give you an understanding of biology from an evolutionary perspective.

Through the world-leading research institution, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), you'll become part of one of the largest marine science communities in Europe. Our research feeds directly into what you'll learn on our biology and marine biology master's degree programmes. Our research vessels are only a 10 minute walk from the lecture theatres and boat-based fieldwork is an important part of the programme.

In this MSci Biology and Marine Biology course, you can:

• take part in a full fieldwork programme including residential trips in the UK and abroad, including Thailand.
• combine scientific work in the laboratory with practical skills classes on shore and on the water
• complete an independent research project working alongside research active staff – this will set you up for career in further research or a specialised master's
• choose from a selection of modules depending on your area of interest - for example, you can study the business biosciences, which looks at the process of drug discovery, clinical trials, marketing and the sale of drug products
• learn highly sought-after transferable skills, including team working, written and oral communication, time management, planning, data collection, analysis and presentation

Practicals which use animals or their tissues are an important part of the course. These practicals follow ethical policies and we'll make adjustments for you if you have valid concerns about taking part.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Accreditations

• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

Entry requirements

• AAB including Biology (minimum grade B) and one further science subject
• Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 5 and 6 at Higher Level Biology one further Higher Level science subject
• D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AA in A Level Biology and one further science subject
• 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 39 credits must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
• H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 including Biology and one further science subject
• D3, D3, M2 in three Principal subjects including Biology and one further science subject at a minimum of M2
• AAB from 3 A levels including Biology and one further science subject or AA from two A levels subject including BIology and one further science subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Course structure

All modules are compulsory in the first year, providing the foundations for the rest of the course. There is an opportunity to choose more specialist options from year 2. In years 3 and 4, the focus is on research, with field work opportunities and exposure to the latest thinking with marine biology.

You don't need to select your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview

You'll cover topics introducing you to marine animals and plants; their ecology, taxonomy and physiology. You'll also develop an understanding of the physical and chemical oceanography of the sea supported by practicals and boat work.

Optional modules allow you to study topics such as marine invertebrates or the types of macromolecule that constitute living cells.

Year 2 overview

Compulsory modules covers evolutionary processes, phytoplankton and quantitative methods in environmental science.

A wide range of optional modules allow you to develop practical skills and specialise in topics such as:

• animal behaviour
• neuroscience
• coastal ecology
• marine sediment habitats

Year 3 overview

You'll carry out either a laboratory based, field based, computer based or marine science research project. This is an opportunity for you show that you can undertake independent study.

A compulsory field work module will develop your skills in shallow water biological survey techniques, using a range of methods from transect surveys to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Further optional modules allow you to specialise in areas, such as:

• bioinformatics
• plant cell biology
• fisheries
• coral reefs

Year 4 overview

The advanced research project is an opportunity for you carry out practical, field, database, or laboratory-based research on a project you design yourself. Alongside this, you'll attend seminars where the latest research is presented, in order to gain insight into how research is carried out and peer-reviewed.

Optional modules allow you to specialise in areas, such as biodiversity, applied ecology or tropical marine biology.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules in year 1:

• Earth and Ocean System
• Fundamentals of Biochemistry
• How to be Scientifically Literate
• Marine Invertebrates
• Origins of Biodiversity

Year 2 modules

You must study the following modules in year 2:

• Animal Behaviour
• Coastal Ecology Field Course
• Evolution
• Marine Benthic Ecology
• Phytoplankton and Primary Production
• Population and Community Ecology

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

• Behaviour and Ecology Field Course
• Marine Vertebrates
• Palaeobiology
• Plant Development and Function
• Zooplankton Ecology and Processes

Year 3 modules

You must study the following modules in year 3:

• Field Research Project
• Global Challenges in Biology
• In-Silico Research Project
• Laboratory Research Project
• Ocean and Earth Science Research Training
• Shallow Water Survey Techniques

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

• Applied Plant Biology
• Behavioural Ecology
• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Evolution and Development
• Evolution and Genetics
• Marine Conservation and Policy
• Marine Fisheries Ecology
• Marine Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology
• Seascape Ecology
• Understanding Coral Reefs

Year 4 modules

You must study the following modules in year 4:

• Advanced Field Research Project
• Advanced Independent Research Project
• Advanced Research Project
• Contemporary Topics in Ocean and Earth Science
• Current Research

You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:

• Biodiversity and Conservation
• Biological Data Science in R
• Current Topics in Cell and Developmental Biology
• Deep Sea Ecology
• Ecological Modelling
• Evolution and Genetics
• Marine Reproduction
• Tropical Marine Biology Field Course

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Year 1

• Study time: 28% scheduled learning & teaching, 72% independent learning
• Assessment: 52% written exam, 27% coursework, 21% practical exam

Year 2

• Study time: 33% scheduled learning & teaching, 67% independent learning
• Assessment: 47% written exam, 47% coursework, 6% practical exam

Year 3

• Study time: 21% scheduled learning & teaching, 79% independent learning
• Assessment: 43% written exam, 46% coursework, 11% practical exam

Year 4

• Study time: 17% scheduled learning & teaching, 83% independent learning
• Assessment: 17% written exam, 81% coursework, 2% practical exam

Careers and employability

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Teamwork

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Laboratories
• Charities
• Government Organisations
• Think Tanks
• Higher education
• Ocean Survey companies
• Renewable energy organisations
• Port and harbour authorities
• DEFRA
• The Environment Agency
• Higher education
• Marine monitoring organisations
• Local authorities

Careers directly related to this course:

• Marine ecologist
• Reef restoration project manager
• Aquaculture biologist
• Environmental engineer
• Oil spill response specialist
• Marine biotechnologist
• Marine policy expert
• Consultant in marine ecology
• Marine conservation officer
• Marine biologist

Wider career opportunities:

• Marine scientist
• Fishery data manager
• Nature Conservation officer
• Science writer
• Geophysicist
• Hydrogeologist
• Meteorologist
• Research scientist
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Water quality scientist

Fees, costs and funding

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,535
• EU and international students pay £28,800

What your fees pay for:

• The full cost of tuition and standard exams

You may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.