Bachelor of Marine Studies (University of Queensland)
The Bachelor of Marine Studies (BMarSt) is a four-year program that takes advantage of the breadth and depth of UQ’s expertise in the marine area – from marine biology and ecology to coastal management, aquaculture and biotechnology.
The program comprises a selection of compulsory and elective courses that span marine disciplines. It is an interdisciplinary program that equips graduates to work in a marine research environment or in related industries and government departments.
UQ has the largest and one of the most comprehensive marine research facilities of any Australian tertiary institution and the largest assembly of marine scientists in Queensland and possibly Australia. Marine Studies students can undertake studies at the Moreton Bay Research Station, the Heron Island Research Station in the southern Great Barrier Reef and the Low Isles Research Station in the far northern Great Barrier Reef.
Marine field experiences
The first semester as a marine studies student begins with a field trip to UQ’s Moreton Bay Research Station on picturesque North Stradbroke Island. Being part of a specialist degree provides an opportunity to explore, as a group, the marine and coastal plant and animal communities that make up this subtropical ecosystem. Students are then immersed in the marine environment working with marine experts at UQ’s unique research stations.
Program structure
The program comprises:
− in first to third year, a set program of core courses spanning a broad range of disciplines relevant to marine studies;
− the remainder of courses in fi rst to third year are taken from lists of electives; and
− a fourth year, taken as an Honours year with a focus on research, or as the final year of a Pass degree, with a focus on field study or industry placement plus coursework.
What will I study?
Four streams are available:
- Aquaculture & Marine Biotechnology
- Aquaculture students graduate with expertise in the genetics, biochemistry,
- immunology, physiology, behaviour and ecology of cultivable marine organisms. Their knowledge is applicable to the organisms’ commercial production and health. The marine biotechnology emphasis offers students the opportunity to gain expertise in functionaland comparative genomics, microbial biotechnology and marine natural products.
- The University’s geographical position is ideal for tropical and subtropical aquaculture courses and its expertise in practical aquaculture is unrivalled worldwide. UQ has strong links to extensive aquaculture facilities at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (at Cleveland and Long Pocket), the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (at Bribie Island), and UQ has its own aquaculture facility at Pinjarra Hills.
Coastal Management
Coastal Management students graduate with expertise in a range of disciplines, including geomorphology, climatology, ecology, economics, demography, coastal processes, planning and management, spatial information systems and remote sensing. Students are taught to integrate and apply those disciplines effectively in a management context. Australia’s coastlines are under extreme stress, because of climate change and human impact. This specialisation equips graduates to work effectively at the boundaries between science, law, government and industry to find solutions to the complex issues involved. It includes study of maritime law, marine geography, remote sensing, oceanography and human factors impacting on coastlines.
Marine Biology & Ecology
Studies in marine biology span areas as diverse as discovering and understanding the basic biology of plants and animals; the behaviour, physiology and biochemistry of marine organisms; and the functioning of, and interactions within, marine communities. This diversity is a major drawcard for students entering the sciences. Staff have expertise spanning coral reef biology, fish and fisheries, marine botany, marine parasites and aquaculture in particular. Graduates acquire a broad knowledge of marine biology and the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake basic and applied research in marine science.
Practical research experiences at research stations are emphasised.
Marine Geology & Coastal Processes
Students of marine geology and coastal processes develop broad skills in physical sciences necessary to tackle pressing concerns facing coastal and marine environments.
This specialisation emphasises the intricate connections between the solid earth, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere. It involves applying geochemical, geophysical, remote sensing and computational principles and techniques in the study of coral reefs, sediment and nutrient cycles in coastal and deep sea environments, coastal geomorphology, seafloor and ocean island volcanism, offshore petroleum and mineral resources, chemical evolution of marine waters, ocean circulation processes, climatology and paleoclimatology.
Where can I work?
Marine scientists find employment with organisations including the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and other government bodies in areas such as:
− research and education;
− wildlife conservation, planning and management;
− marine resource development;
− engineering;
− aquaculture;
− ecotourism;
− biotechnology;
− national heritage work; and
− environmental impact studies.
For more information visit : www.science.uq.edu.au/future-students.html
For a full list of courses visit www.uq.edu.au/study |
