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)
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?
UTS Science, one of Australia’s leading university science faculties, is committed to scientific advancement that creates a more sustainable world. When students study with UTS, they 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 UTSAll 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 InnovationThe 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 programTransdisciplinary 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 peoples’ 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 Foundation stream (Environmental Sciences) | 48cp | |
| STM91568 Core Disciplinary Subjects (Marine Biology) | 72cp | |
| CBK90232 Electives (Science UG) | 24cp | |
| Total | 144cp |
Course diagram
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 | |
| 21659 The Tourist Experience | 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 | |
| 21659 The Tourist Experience | 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