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

The Coasts and Oceans Specialisation is offered by the School of the Environment, 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.

Course aims

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.

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 aboutcoastal 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
  • plan and execute a research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
  • 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

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Coasts and Oceans) 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 - 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)
GEOG1003  Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)
SPOC1701  The Nature of Science I (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

One of:

MATH1701  Mathematics Fundamentals A (4.5 units)
MATH1121  Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
NMCY1001  Academic and Professional Numeracy (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  Coasts and Oceans (4.5 units)
EASC2702  Global Climate Change (4.5 units)
ENVS2731  Coastal Processes (4.5 units)
GEOG2701  Introduction to Remote Sensing (4.5 units)

Option - Year 2 topics

4.5 units from Option A ^
Plus 4.5 units from Option B ^^

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

ENVS3702  Applied Practice in Environment  (9.0 units)
ENVS3711  Introduction to Managing Coastal and Marine Environments  (4.5 units)
ENVS3791  Coastal Environments  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

4.5 units from Option A ^
Plus 4.5  units from Option B ^^

Elective - Year 3 topics

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

List Option A ^

ARCH2204  Australian Maritime Archaeology  (4.5 units)
BIOL2742  Marine Ecology  (4.5 units)#
EASC3742  Earth Fluid Modelling  (4.5 units)
ENVS3732  Environmental Impact Assessment  (4.5 units)
ENVS3742  Emerging Issues in Australian Environmental Management  (4.5 units)

List Option B ^^

BIOL3701  Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology  (4.5 units)#
ENGR2751  Fluid Mechanics  (4.5 units)#
ENVS2761  Hydrology  (4.5 units)
ENVS3750  Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines  (4.5 units)

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

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 (Coasts and Oceans) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with: