Program Overview

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Marine Science (Extended Major)

This extended major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the Marine Biology and Coastal Processes majors. Western Australia's coastline is a biodiversity hotspot with up to 80 per cent of marine life found nowhere else in the world, making it the ideal living laboratory for your studies.

About the course

This extended major will expose you to the full breadth of the marine science discipline, allowing deeper understanding of both the physical and biological components through the marine biology and coastal processes majors. It combines knowledge of marine life with a solid understanding of the physical process across all coastal marine environments.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus), Albany (Regional campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-MARDM
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BMarSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])
• Honours Available: Yes
• Degrees course is available in: Bachelor of Marine Science, Bachelor of Philosophy

Why study this course

• UWA has nationally unique facilities and resources that are used across our marine studies
• Learning is richly embedded with internationally recognised research, often led by UWA’s global experts, encouraging research-based inquiry through cutting-edge science
• This interdisciplinary major provides students with the knowledge required to develop solutions to the threats facing our marine and coastal environments

You'll learn to

• Demonstrate a profound understanding of the theoretical basis of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics in animals, plants and microorganisms
• Gain technical competency and practical skills to master state-of-the-art molecular techniques
• Develop and demonstrate your skills in critical thinking, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation

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:
  • BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
  • BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology (6)
  • CITS1501 Introduction to Programming with Python (6)
  • EART1105 Dynamic Planet (6)
  • SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis (6)
  • SCOM1101 Communicating Science (6)
• Bridging:
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
  • MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)
  • SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists (6)

Level 2

• Core:
  • BIOL2204 Marine Biology (6)
  • EART2204 Coastal Processes (6)
  • ENVT2221 Global Climate Change and Biodiversity (6)
  • ENVT2250 Ecology (6)
  • GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems (6)
  • OCEN2001 Energy from Oceans (6)
  • SCIE2204 Marine Systems (6)

Level 3

• Core:
  • BIOL3305 Fisheries Science: Foundation and Application (6)
  • ENVT3306 Coastal Conservation and Management (6)
  • ENVT3307 Oceanography (6)
  • ENVT3362 Environmental Dynamics (6)
  • SCIE3304 Field Techniques in Marine Science (6)

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 11.5
• Canadian High School (except Quebec): 70
• French Baccalaureate: 12
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 525
• GCE A-Levels: 9
• German Abitur: 3.3
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 15
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 60
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 79
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 26
• Malaysian STPM: 11
• Monash University Foundation Year: 270
• NCUK Foundation Program: 9
• Norwegian Vitnemål: 3.8
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 8
• South African National Senior Certificate: 4.6
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 330
• Sweden Slutbetyg: 15
• Trinity College Foundation: 300
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 12
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 66
• US College Board Advanced Placements: 8
• US College Board SAT: 1170
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 60
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 80

Prerequisites

• Mathematics Methods ATAR; OR
• Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year; OR
• Students without ATAR mathematics to take two mathematics units in their first year.
• Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

English competency

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

Fees and scholarships

Fees for this course are currently being finalised, refer back to this page in the coming weeks as more information will be made available then.

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. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

• Annual course fee (2025): $49,200.00

Scholarships

• Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

• Marine environmental consulting
• State and local governments who manage coastal planning and infrastructure
• Government agencies that manage fisheries (e.g. DPRID), marine conservation (e.g. DBCA) or lead marine research projects (e.g. CSIRO, AIMS, Geoscience Australia)
• Resource industry
• Marine industry
• Marine renewables
• Aquaculture
• NGOs
• Academia

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

• SCIE2205 Science Work Placement Unit
• SCIE2206 Science Consultancy Project

Research

• Ranked Top 100 in the world for Earth & Marine Sciences (QS 2025)
• Ranked 3rd in Australia and 37th in the world for Oceanography (GRAS 2024)

Centre

• Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) provides innovative and effective solutions to challenges facing the world's oceans.

Institute

• UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges.