Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelors of Science / Education (Secondary) program is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between climate, coastal systems, and marine environments. This program enables students to develop laboratory skills, analyze big data, and utilize remote sensing spatial data from satellites and drones.

Program Details

• The program focuses on the scientific study of coastal processes, oceanography, ecology, marine geology, and marine conservation.
• Students will learn to apply evidence-based environmental and conservation strategies to protect vital coastal habitats and marine ecosystems across the globe.
• The program is guided by Australia's leading marine researchers, providing students with extensive fieldwork experience at UQ's Heron Island Research Station on the southern Great Barrier Reef and UQ's Moreton Bay Research Station on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

Career Possibilities

The program prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Marine environmental consultant
• Fisheries research scientist
• Marine biologist
• Marine research officer
• Marine ecosystems researcher
• Conservation officer
• Sustainability adviser
• Conservation researcher
• Environment adviser
• Fisheries officer

Average Annual Salary Range

• Environmental Scientist: $80K–$100K
• Sustainability Officer: $110–$130K

Next Steps After Graduation

Demand for highly skilled coastal and marine scientists is on the rise, with opportunities in various fields, including:

• Coastal management
• Engineering and consulting
• Environmental sciences
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Food technology
• Government departments
• Marine parks and ecotourism
• Marine resource development
• Marine science research institutes
• Museums
• Oil and gas production
• Pharmacology
• Education
• Wildlife conservation

How You'll Learn

The learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses, including:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Research experience
• Laboratory work
• Fieldwork

What You'll Study

At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. A sample of the courses you could study includes:

• Marine & Coastal Environmental Protection
• Physical-Biological Oceanography
• Living Oceans
• Planet Earth: The Big Picture

Highlights

• Ranked 1 in Australia for environmental sciences (QS World University Rankings 2025)
• Ranked 15 in the world for environmental sciences (QS World University Rankings 2025)