Program Overview

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Marine and Coastal Processes

About the course

This major enables students to gain critical knowledge in topics involving coastal and marine environments. There is a strong emphasis on understanding how they operate, and their key role in encouraging coastal communities and marine ecosystems to remain resilient into the future.

Why study this course

• UWA is ranked 4th in Australia and 37th in the world for Oceanography (GRAS 2024) and has nationally unique facilities and resources
• Learning is led by UWA’s global experts who have access to one of the largest pools of marine field instrumentation in Australia used in units and field trips
• This interdisciplinary major provides students with the knowledge required to develop solutions to the threats facing our marine and coastal environments

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core: Take all units (24 points)
  • BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology (6)
  • CITS1501 Introduction to Programming with Python (6)
  • EART1105 Dynamic Planet (6)
  • SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis (6)
• Bridging: Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
  • MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)
  • SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists (6)

Level 2

• Core: Take all units (24 points)
  • EART2204 Coastal Processes (6)
  • ENVT2220 The Climate System (6)
  • GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems (6)
  • SCIE2204 Marine Systems (6)

Level 3

• Core: Take all units (24 points)
  • ENVT3306 Coastal Conservation and Management (6)
  • ENVT3307 Oceanography (6)
  • ENVT3362 Environmental Dynamics (6)
  • SCIE3304 Field Techniques in Marine Science (6)

You'll learn to

• Use a range of techniques and instrumentation to collect data in the field and in the laboratory
• Analyse, synthesise and interpret data that varies in space and time
• Integrate knowledge of marine and coastal processes and their links to biological processes in order to address real-world problems

Career Pathways

Studying a Marine and Coastal Processes Extended Major can lead to career opportunities in:

• Coastal and Marine Consulting
• Coastal and Infrastructure Planning
• Research and Development

Industries hiring Marine and Coastal Processes graduates include:

• Government Agencies
• Research Agencies
• NGOs
• Natural Resources Sector
• Marine Resources and Renewables
• Aquaculture Sector

Further Study

You might consider further studies in:

• Master of Environmental Science
• Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee: $49,200.00 (2025)

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load.

Admission Requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 9
• Canadian High School (except Quebec): 68
• French Baccalaureate: 10
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 507
• GCE A-Levels: 8
• German Abitur: 3.6
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 14
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 45
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 75.5
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 24
• Malaysian STPM: 10
• Monash University Foundation Year: 254
• NCUK Foundation Program: 8
• Norwegian Vitnemål: 3.5
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 6.5
• South African National Senior Certificate: 4
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 324
• Sweden Slutbetyg: 14.5
• Trinity College Foundation: 280
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 14
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 61
• US College Board Advanced Placements: 7
• US College Board SAT: 1130
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 56
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 75

Mathematics requirement

This major requires a certain level of Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you may be able to take additional Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.

WACE prerequisite: Mathematics Methods ATAR

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

How to apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.