To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Specialisations).
The Marine Biology and Aquaculture Specialisation requires three years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by the School of Biological Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
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 Year 11 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 Faculty 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 Coasts and Oceans (4.5 units)
Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 3 topics
36 units comprising:
Core - Year 3 Topics
BIOL3700 Biology Research Project (4.5 units)
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)
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 for New Ventures (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 school/department 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 degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.