Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Aquaculture)

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

There are no formal prerequisites for the specialisation in Marine Biology and Aquaculture, but knowledge of Mathematics and/or Physics to SACE Stage 1 level is desirable.

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the biology of marine organisms, their relationships with the physico-chemical marine environment, and their potential responses to changes. It also provides students with the ability to acquire extensive subject knowledge in marine biodiversity, ecology, genetics, conservation, fisheries and related areas. Furthermore, this course aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in science together with specialisation in aquaculture. This course enables graduates to develop practical and theoretical skills for a career in the aquaculture industry and aims to develop a range of transferable skills for research, analysis and communication including the capability to:

understand and apply scientific principles in a marine biology and aquaculture context, and work effectively, cooperatively and productively within a team
retrieve and present scientific information about marine biology and aquaculture, including communicating effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to marine biology and aquaculture and solve problems
appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of marine sciences and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their discipline area
work effectively and productively within teams
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the ethical and societal contexts of marine sciences
understand the biology of aquaculture organisms and aquaculture principles and practices
gain knowledge in aquaculture nutrition, husbandry and water quality management
acquire skills and knowledge in aquaculture reproduction, hatchery management and applied genetics
build aquaculture infrastructure and solve engineering issues relevant to aquaculture ventures
diagnose and manage aquaculture diseases, and manage health and safety issues in aquaculture ventures
manage and operate an aquaculture business.

This course provides the broad-based foundation that will support ongoing professional development, preparing graduates for further study in marine sciences, for a career in marine biology and aquaculture where the range of skills and knowledge acquired is needed or desirable.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

demonstrate familiarity with theories, subject content, professional methodologies and research procedures in marine sciences and aquaculture and be able to critically apply them in marine biological studies and aquaculture management
understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge about marine biology and aquaculture are developed
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/issues/information/data in marine biology and aquaculture, and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
competently design marine biological and aquacultural studies, employing sampling methods and techniques that work effectively in the field and laboratory, and applying numerical skills for data analysis
demonstrate an appreciation of work practices relating to OH&S and animal ethics in regards to marine biological and aquaculture studies or ventures
demonstrate skill at identifying organisms found in marine and costal environments
understand the dynamics of marine ecosystems and their potential responses to changes
apply conservation and management principles or business management strategies for sustainable aquatic resource management
communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate that marine biology and aquaculture are multidisciplinary and have connections to other science and non-science disciplines
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals
demonstrate a sound understanding of the biology of aquaculture organisms and of breeding, genetics, nutrition and water quality issues relevant to aquaculture
design aquaculture systems and solve engineering issues in aquaculture.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Aquaculture) Specialisation a student must complete 108 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 108 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 108 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 Topics

BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life (4.5 units)
BIOL1201  Introduction to Aquaculture (4.5 units)
BIOL1301  Introduction to Marine Biology (4.5 units)
EASC1102  Marine Sciences  (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

Plus one of:

CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units) OR
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 Topics

BIOL2701  Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL2702  Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2711  Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL2712  Animal Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL2731  Aquaculture Nutrition and Water Quality (4.5 units)
BIOL2732  Aquaculture Systems and Technology (4.5 units)
BIOL2742  Marine Ecology (4.5 units)
EASC2701  Oceans and Estuaries (4.5 units)

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 Topics

BIOL3711  Plant and Algal Diversity (4.5 units)
BIOL3731  Aquaculture Reproduction (4.5 units)
BIOL3732  Aquaculture Health and Product Quality (4.5 units)
BIOL3752  Fisheries Biology, Science and Management (4.5 units)
BUSN2026  Entrepreneurship and Small Business (4.5 units)
BIOL3800 Research Project in Marine Science (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

Plus one of:

BIOL2722  Disease and Immunology (4.5 units)
BIOL3702  Marine and Freshwater Biology (4.5 units)
BIOL3712  Integrative Physiology of Animals and Plants (4.5 units)
BUSN3026  Business Planning  (4.5 units)
STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units)
STEM3100 Research Project in Science (4.5 units)

Plus one of:

BIOL3701 Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology (4.5 units)
BIOL3751 Marine Mammals, Birds and Reptiles (4.5 units)

Honours

Admission to an honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study. Refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours).

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Aquaculture) may also be studied in a combined degree program with another Bachelor degree in the College of Science and Engineering where the combination meets the requirements of the credit transfer policy.