Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Coasts and Oceans)

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Specialisations).

The Coasts and Oceans (Honours) Specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
• Combined degrees

Admission requirements

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

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in science and research together with specialisation in coasts and oceans.

The program of study aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in coastal and marine systems. The program will examine ocean and coastal dynamics, coastal landforms and environments. The course will promote an understanding of the interactions between coastal processes and the evolution of marine and terrestrial landform evolution.

It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

• understand and apply relevant scientific principles in the area of coastal and marine processes and environments
• critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to coastal and ocean processes and the drivers of coastal change
• appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of marine and coastal systems, and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
• work cooperatively and productively within a team
• work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
• appreciate the societal contexts of coastal conservation and issues relating to climate change and sea level rise
• undertake an individual research project, from planning to execution.

Learning outcomes 

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

• demonstrate familiarity with theories, subject content, professional methodologies, ethical frameworks and research procedures in coastal and marine sciences and management and be able to critically apply them in the real world and in science generally
• understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge about coastal and marine sciences and management and its related disciplines were developed
• analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data in coastal and marine sciences and management, and applying 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 studies and research in coastal and marine sciences and management employing methods, techniques and equipment that work effectively in the field and laboratory, and applying quantitative and qualitative skills for data analysis
• demonstrate skill at identifying landforms and landform units found in marine and coastal environments
• develop management solutions appropriate to the social, political, legal, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
• understand the dynamics of coastal and marine ecosystems and their potential responses to changes, and understand the large scale connections extending from the catchment to  the coast and into the deep ocean
• apply conservation and management principles for coastal and marine conservation and sustainable use
• communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
• appreciate that coastal and marine sciences and management is multidisciplinary and has 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
• plan and execute an individual research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Coasts and Oceans) a student must complete 144 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 144 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 144 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.

Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Science (Coasts and Oceans) on completion of 108 units.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Science (Coasts and Oceans).

Specialisation - Coasts and Oceans - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

EASC1101  Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
EASC1102  Marine Sciences (4.5 units)
GEOG1001  Environment and Society (4.5 units)
STEM1001  Nature of STEM (4.5 units)
STEM1002  Introduction to Geographical Information Systems  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

One of:
MATH1701  Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
MATH1121  Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
STAT1122 Biostatistics (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Coasts and Oceans - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

EASC2701  Oceans and Estuaries (4.5 units)
EASC2702  Global Climate Change (4.5 units)
ENVS2731  Coastal Processes (4.5 units)
STEM2001  Remote Sensing for all Disciplines  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 2 topics

9 units selected from the Option list

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Coasts and Oceans - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

BIOL3791  Ecology and Geomorphology of Coastal Environments  (4.5 units)
GEOG3111 Introduction to Managing Coastal and Marine Environments  (4.5 units)
STEM3100  Research Project in Science  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

13.5 units selected from Option List

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics# from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Option List

ARCH2204  Australian Maritime Archaeology  (4.5 units)
BIOL2742  Marine Ecology  (4.5 units)*
BIOL3701  Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)*
EASC3742  Earth Fluid Modelling  (4.5 units)
ENGR2751  Fluid Mechanics  (4.5 units)*
ENVS2761  Hydrology  (4.5 units)
ENVS3742  Emerging Issues in Australian Environmental Management  (4.5 units)
ENVS3750  Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines  (4.5 units)
GEOG3040  Environmental Impact Assessment  (4.5 units)
STEM1003  GIS Airborne and Ground Data Capture for all Disciplines  (4.5 units)
STEM2003  Airborne Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry  (4.5 units)
STEM3003  Modelling in Space and Time, Geostatistics and GIS  (4.5 units)

*These topics may require pre-requisites to be taken as electives to be eligible for enrolment

#These topics may require pre-requisites to be taken as electives to be eligible for enrolment

Specialisation - Coasts and Oceans - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising^:

Core - Year 4 topics

  BIOL7710  Honours Critical Readings  (4.5 units)
  BIOL7720  Honours Statistics and Research Design  (4.5 units)
  STEM7001  Research Methods for Honours  (4.5 units)
  STEM7000A  Honours Research Project in STEM  (4.5/22.5 units)
  STEM7000B  Honours Research Project in STEM  (4.5/22.5 units)
  STEM7000C  Honours Research Project in STEM  (4.5/22.5 units)
  STEM7000D  Honours Research Project in STEM  (4.5/22.5 units)
  STEM7000E  Honours Research Project in STEM  (4.5/22.5 units)

^ With the permission of the Course Coordinator a 7xxx level topic that is appropriate to the student’s program may be substituted.

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Coasts and Oceans) 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.