University of Technology Sydney

C10228v7 Bachelor of Marine Biology and Climate Change

Award(s): Bachelor of Marine Biology and Climate Change (BMarBiolClimChange)
UAC code: 607035 (Autumn session, Spring session, Spring session)
CRICOS code: 079735G
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 144
Course EFTSL: 3
Location: City campus

Overview
Course aims
Career options
Innovation and Transdisciplinary program
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Pathway course
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information

Overview

On a warming planet, the health of the planet’s oceans is more critical than ever. The uniquely hands-on UTS Bachelor of Marine Biology and Climate Change is the only degree of its kind in the Sydney region. It responds to Australia’s ongoing investment in the future of the Blue Economy by producing graduates who can shape the future of our vital marine ecosystems.

Taught through the lens of climate change, course content spans the study of marine and aquatic environments delivered as a combination of theory, lab, and fieldwork experiences.

Why UTS Science?

As one of Australia’s leading university science faculties, UTS Science is committed to scientific advancement that creates a more sustainable world. Our students join a university that delivers global impact in STEM education and research and a faculty that produces scientists with the power to transform the profession.

Course features

  • Explore the fundamental elements of marine biology, including coral reefs, ocean systems, fish biology, and aquatic ecosystems. Investigate ecological interactions using cutting-edge technologies and traditional and analytical methods and learn to assess and respond to the impacts of climate change on these life-sustaining environments.
  • Complete a series of common core subjects that underpin all undergraduate UTS Science degrees. Data, Design and Decisions and Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues are designed to equip students with a toolkit of technical and workplace skills, preparing them to thrive both at and after uni.
  • Develop a broader skillset with the new professional choice block – choose from electives in policy, law, tourism and business and prepare for careers beyond the traditional marine sciences domain.

Course aims

Learn from the leaders in marine science

Course content is designed and delivered by industry experts and academics in the School of Life Sciences and the acclaimed Climate Change Cluster (C3), one of Australia’s leading marine ecosystems research centres. The small course size means students have plenty of interaction with educators whose commitment to industry engagement gains access to a range of work-inspired learning opportunities. These include internships with UTS Science research laboratories and external marine science organisations.

Study where marine biology happens

Beyond the classroom, undertake an extensive series of fieldwork trips. Explore intertidal systems, seagrass meadows and coral reefs at locations including the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Careel Bay, Sydney Harbour and the Central Coast in NSW and Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Or, study overseas with the UTS Global Exchange program.

Career options

In the United Nations Decade of the Ocean, marine biology is no longer solely a scientific discipline but a highly sought-after skillset across a wide range of industry settings. Students graduate with the technical and professional skills to deliver scientific innovation in a diversity of marine science roles, as well as in other sectors connected to Australia’s coastal systems.

Career options include ecologist, environmental chemist, environmental consultant, environmental scientist, research scientist, science policy officer or sustainability consultant, among others. Work in fisheries, national parks, zoos and aquariums, conservation and environmental protection agencies, infrastructure and development organisations, universities, and research institutes. Graduates can translate their scientific knowledge and professional expertise into careers in science communication, tourism, or consultancy opportunities in a wide range of organisations.

Innovation and Transdisciplinary program

Transdisciplinarity and Innovation at UTS

All UTS students have the opportunity to develop distinctive capabilities around transdisciplinary thinking and innovation through the TD School. Transdisciplinary education at UTS brings together great minds from different disciplines to explore ideas that improve the way we live and work in the world. These offerings are unique to UTS and directly translate to many existing and emerging roles and careers.

Diploma in Innovation

The Diploma in Innovation (C20060) teaches innovation, supports personal transformation and provides the hard skills needed to support the inventors and inventions of the future. Students come out of the Diploma in Innovation, with the hard skills to create and support sectoral and societal transformation. Graduates are able to fluently integrate ideas, across professional disciplines and are inventors of the future.

All UTS undergraduate students (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) can apply for the Diploma in Innovation upon admission in their chosen undergraduate degree. It is a complete degree program that runs in parallel to any undergraduate degree. The course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis, with subjects running in 3-week long intensive blocks in July, December and February sessions. More information including a link to apply is available at https://dipinn.uts.edu.au.

Transdisciplinary electives program

Transdisciplinary electives broaden students' horizons and supercharge their problem-solving skills, helping them to learn outside, beyond and across their degrees. Students enrolled in an undergraduate course that includes electives can choose to take a transdisciplinary subject (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation). More information about the TD Electives program is available here.

Course intended learning outcomes

1.1 Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of the principles of biodiversity, ecosystem function and climate change impacts in marine systems through the integration and evaluation of principles of sustainability and conservation to protect marine environments.
2.1 Critically evaluate scientific evidence and literature and apply effective and appropriate experimental design and analytical techniques to discover and hypothesise solutions to new and emerging marine and climate change issues.
3.1 Demonstrate professionalism, including personal organisation, autonomy, teamwork, while ensuring due consideration to ethical guidelines, work health and safety, sustainability goals and environmental impact requirements.
4.1 Evaluate evolving concepts in marine biology and apply scientific skills to design creative solutions to contemporary or complex marine issues by incorporating innovative methods, reflective practices, and self-directed investigation.
5.1 Communicate effectively and professionally (oral, written, visual), generating defensible, convincing arguments for relaying research findings and/or articulating complex issues, concepts or skill around marine and climate science, within a multi-disciplinary setting.
6.1 Demonstrate the professional cultural and contextual capability to effectively collaborate and cooperate with and for Indigenous Australians through the recognition of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander people's unique connection to the marine environment.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Pathway course

Successful completion of the UTS College Diploma of Science (Life Science) guarantees entry into the course with 48 credit points of recognition of prior learning.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics; any two units of English; any two units of science.

Course duration and attendance

Students can complete the course over three years of full-time or six years of part-time study. Part-time students are required to attend some classes in daytime hours.

Course structure

Students must complete a total of 144 credit points, made up of 120 credit points of core subjects and 24 credit points of elective subjects. The elective subjects enable students to increase their expertise in other areas of science or other disciplines in the University.

Students must satisfactorily complete all core subjects and the required number of credit points of elective for award of the degree.

Industrial training/professional practice

Students studying this course have an opportunity to undertake an internship subject and receive academic credit for their placement off campus (an external business or research institute) or on campus (UTS research institutes or departments), in a capacity relevant to their academic studies.

Course completion requirements

STM91002 Scientist's Tool Kit (Environmental Sciences) 48cp
STM91568 Core Disciplinary Subjects (Marine Biology) 72cp
CBK90232 Electives (Science UG) 24cp
Total 144cp

Course diagram

Course diagram: C10228

Course program

A typical course program is shown below.

Autumn commencing
Year 1
Autumn session
65111 Chemistry 1   6cp
91107 The Biosphere   6cp
33116 Design, Data, and Decisions   6cp
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics   6cp
Spring session
91123 Nature and Evolution   6cp
91132 Molecular Biology   6cp
60006 Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues   6cp
65621 Environmental Chemistry   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
91100 Urban Sustainability and Resilience   6cp
91154 Ecology   6cp
91118 Fish Biology and Fisheries   6cp
91121 Aquatic Ecosystems   6cp
Spring session
CBK92069 Transdisciplinary Electives   6cp
91270 Plant Physiology and Climate Change   6cp
91157 Marine Algae and Productivity   6cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
21214 Business and Social Impact 6cp  
91159 Environmental Remediation 6cp  
52674 Global Economies 6cp  
Year 3
Autumn session
91120 GIS and Remote Sensing   6cp
91126 Coral Reef Ecosystems   6cp
91156 Ocean Systems and Climate Change   6cp
91145 Environmental Protection and Management   6cp
Spring session
Select 24 credit points of options   24cp
Spring commencing
Year 1
Spring session
65111 Chemistry 1   6cp
91123 Nature and Evolution   6cp
91161 Cell Biology and Genetics   6cp
60006 Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
91107 The Biosphere   6cp
33116 Design, Data, and Decisions   6cp
91154 Ecology   6cp
91100 Urban Sustainability and Resilience   6cp
Spring session
CBK92069 Transdisciplinary Electives   6cp
91132 Molecular Biology   6cp
Select 6 credit points of options   6cp
65621 Environmental Chemistry   6cp
Year 3
Autumn session
91120 GIS and Remote Sensing   6cp
91121 Aquatic Ecosystems   6cp
91118 Fish Biology and Fisheries   6cp
Select 6 credit points of options   6cp
Spring session
Select 6 credit points of options   6cp
91157 Marine Algae and Productivity   6cp
91270 Plant Physiology and Climate Change   6cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
21214 Business and Social Impact 6cp  
91159 Environmental Remediation 6cp  
52674 Global Economies 6cp  
Year 4
Autumn session
Select 6 credit points of options   6cp
91126 Coral Reef Ecosystems   6cp
91145 Environmental Protection and Management   6cp
91156 Ocean Systems and Climate Change   6cp

Honours

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (C09168) is available to eligible students with an additional one year of full-time study.

Professional recognition

The course is recognised by the Australian Marine Science Association

Other information

Further information is available from:

UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS