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

The Marine Biology and Aquaculture Specialisation requires four 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. It also 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.

In addition, the Honours year provides students with advanced skills that are required for planning, funding and carrying out research projects in a specific area. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • understand and apply relevant scientific principles
  • retrieve and present information, including communicate effectively with a variety of audiences in written and spoken forms
  • critically analyse and evaluate information and solve problems
  • analyse and evaluate data, appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of the science disciplines and engage positively with people and ideas beyond their own discipline
  • use information technology, work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
  • appreciate the role of science in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises

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.

In addition, graduates of the Honours year are expected to be able to:

  • critically analyse the scientific literature and use this as a basis for planning research projects
  • understand how scientific research is funded
  • formulate hypothesises and design appropriate experiments to test them
  • use appropriate methods, techniques, equipment and instrumentation to ethically collect scientific data
  • use appropriate statistical methods to analyse scientific data
  • communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form.

Program of study

To qualify for The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Marine Biology and Aquaculture) Specialisation 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 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.

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 (Marine Biology and Aquaculture) 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 (Marine Biology and Aquaculture).

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)

Specialisation - Marine Biology and Aquaculture - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 topics

  BIOL7700A  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700B  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700C  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700D  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7700E  Biology Honours Research Project  (4.5/22.5 units)  
  BIOL7710  Honours Critical Readings  (4.5 units)
  BIOL7720  Honours Grant Writing Skills  (4.5 units)
  BIOL7730  Honours Scientific Methods and Data Presentation  (4.5 units)

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.