Undergraduate + Postgraduate
Bachelor of Science (Marine Science) and Master of Biological Science or Master of Environmental Science
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia(M355) 35 Stirling Highway Perth Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
International
1800 653 050
Hours
Frequently asked questions
Careers and further study
This major opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.
Career Pathways
Graduates can find a range of employment opportunities in areas such as:
- 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
Career Opportunities
Marine Biologist
Environmental Consultant
Government Agencies Researcher
Fisheries Officer
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.
For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page.
You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or your desired course.
Undergraduate – Commonwealth supported students
The Annual Fee is an estimate only based on a standard annual study load of 48 points.
For Commonwealth Supported Places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit. For an accurate fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”.
For Full Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course to see the annual and total course fees.
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.
Cost of living
Undergraduate – onshore students
Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points.
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.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers, mature-age applicants and those with previous tertiary study. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Admission requirements
Minimum entry requirements
- 90
English competency
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 and Chemistry ATAR
How to apply
Ready to apply for this major? Follow the steps and you’ll be on your way to joining us at UWA.
Course details
About the course
Quick details
- Available 2021
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1
- Undergraduate + Postgraduate
- CM010
- 102872C
Why study this course?
- UWA is ranked 29th in the world in Marine Science and Oceanography (QS 2020) and has brand new 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
- Western Australia’s unique marine environment has led UWA to identify the understanding our oceans and marine environment as one of its grand challenges, and our extended major provides students with the knowledge required to develop solutions to the threats facing our marine and coastal environments
You'll learn to
- use a range of contemporary techniques and instrumentation to collect data in the field and in the laboratory
- analyse, synthesise and interpret data that varies in space and time
- interpret patterns and integrate knowledge of physical and biological processes to address real world problems
Course structure
In your first three years, you will complete the Marine Science (extended major) and a semester of postgraduate study. You will then complete your selected specialisation in either the Master of Biological Science or Master of Environmental Science. Refer to the example study plan for more information.
Course structure
Marine Science Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s
BSc (Marine Science Extended Major) and Master of Biological Science or Master of Environmental Science
Undergraduate (UG) specific units
Elective units
Postgraduate (PG) specific units
| YEAR | SEMESTER | UNITS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1ST YEAR | 1 | BIOL1130 | SCOM1101 | EART1105 | CITS1401 |
| 2 | BIOL1131 | CITS2402 | ENVT2221 | EART2204 | |
| 2ND YEAR | 1 | ENVT2250 | GEOG2201 | SCIE2204 | SCIE1104 |
| 2 | BIOL2204 | BIOL3305 | ENVT3307 | ENVT3362 | |
| 3RD YEAR | 1 | ENVT3306 | SCIE3304 | Elective | Elective |
| 2 | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | |
| 4TH YEAR | 1 | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | PG Specific* |
| 2 | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | PG Specific* | |
* Postgraduate units will vary depending on your chosen specialisation, a study plan will be provided later in your degree.
Unit Description
- BIOL1130 - Frontiers in Biology
- SCOM1101 - Communicating Science
- EART1105 - Dynamic Planet
- CITS1401 - Computational Thinking with Python
- BIOL1131 - Plant and Animal Biology
- CITS2402 - Introduction to Data Science
- ENVT2221 - Global Climate Change and Biodiversity
- EART2204 - Coastal Processes
- ENVT2250 - Ecology
- GEOG2201 - Geographic Information Systems
- SCIE2204 - Marine Systems
- SCIE1104 - Science, Society and Data Analysis
- BIOL2204 - Marine Biology
- BIOL3305 - Fisheries Science: Foundation and Application
- ENVT3307 - Oceanography
- ENVT3362 - Environmental Dynamics
- ENVT3306 - Coastal Conservation and Management
- SCIE3304 - Field Techniques in Marine Science
- PG Specific - Master of Biological Science
- PG Specific - Master of Environmental Science
Ashley Marino
Ashley Marino
Marine Science has no geographical limits. When I was in Year 12 living in Albany, a town spoilt with incredible coastal environments, I dreamt of travelling, snorkelling, and living by the sea for the rest of my life. This major opens that possibility, with the added aspect of environmental consideration. Everything biological and atmospheric can be linked to the vast oceans. Marine Science can be applied globally, from the open ocean to local rivers and the atmospheric influences of winds and climate.
Throughout my course, my perspective of the world has been broadened. The students in my class share my passion for protecting our environment and their belief in a better future is contagious; it’s easy to feel optimistic and determined when you’re surrounded by kind-hearted people.
Everyone’s aware of UWA’s prestigious reputation, but really it was the relocation services and pleasant atmosphere that allowed me to picture myself living as a student here.
Read more about Ashley's story.
Asha de Vos
Asha de Vos
Dr Asha de Vos
Marine biologist, ocean educator and pioneering blue whale researcher
My passion is changing the way the world sees and interacts with the ocean and helping people be the best version of themselves. We are incredibly privileged to be alive and to live on this planet – but we only inherit it, we never own it. I am well aware of this and my work is about leaving the planet a better place than I found it with a focus on saving our oceans. I choose to do this by nurturing and training the next generation of diverse ocean heroes, students from typically under-represented nations, and other unlikely heroes like fishermen. I also like to engage people in stories about the magic of our oceans because the more people know about the ocean, the more likely they are to care and become part of the army that we need to drive change. They will become part of the solution and not just part of the problem.
Read more about Asha's story here.
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.
Your degree options
Bachelor of Science
Fieldwork in Science
UWA Oceans Institute
The 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.
Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre
Purpose-built collaborative facility for marine science and ocean engineering research.