BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to marine biology, ecology and key biological themes, with topics from biodiversity and ecosystems to evolution and animal behaviour. Via lectures, small group tutorials, lab and fieldwork, you’ll begin to acquire skills that will boost your employability and help your career development. You’ll benefit from hands-on experience on the Devon coastline, and an overseas residential field course, exposing you to different marine organisms and developing your scientific skills.

Core modules

• MBIO120 Introduction to Marine Biology

• MBIO121 Life on Earth

• MBIO122 Evolution and Biodiversity

• MBIO123 Marine Biology Field Course

• OS102 Physical and Chemical Processes of the Ocean

Optional modules

• BIOL124PP Biology of Sex

• BIOL125PP Scientific Method and Ethics in Biology

• OS106PP Our Ocean Planet

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll sharpen your practical skills on the South Devon coastline, just minutes away. We’ll introduce you to methods for collecting, handling and analysing scientific data, understanding ecological theories, applying these to shallow water marine habitats, and getting to grips with the major threats faced by aquatic habitats worldwide. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of what shapes marine and coastal biodiversity through a residential field course, currently held in South Africa.

Core modules

• BIOL214 Ecology

• MBIO213 Coastal Biodiversity and Ecology Field Course

• MBIO217 Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats

• MBIO224 Methods in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology

Optional modules

• BIOL204 Principles of Conservation Biology

• MBIO220 Applied Aquatic Biology

• MBIO222 Ecophysiology of Marine Animals

• MBIO228 Biology of Marine Organisms

• OS207 Scientific Diving

Optional placement year

During your optional third year, you’ll have the opportunity to arrange a work placement, for a six or 12-month period. In this way you’ll be applying the skills you've learned in a professional environment, gaining invaluable experience while making a host of contacts – useful when it comes to finding your first job.

Core modules

• BPIE336 Marine Biology related Placement

Final year

Your final year of study allows you to focus on your chosen areas of interest, building your own specialisms and skills. You’ll conduct an extensive personal research project, applying the skills and methods you've learned. You’ll also choose from a range of modules that are driven by the research interests of our staff, again giving you the opportunity to specialise and tailor your work towards your career goals, whilst studying at the cutting edge of the field.

Core modules

• MBIO313 Personal Research

• MBIO327 Marine Ecology

Optional modules

• BIOL310 Global Change Biology

• MBIO317 Behavioural Ecology

• MBIO322 Marine Microbiology - Ecology and Applications

• MBIO324 Speciation and Diversity

• MBIO325 Marine Algae: Eco-Physiology and Utilization

• MBIO339 Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates

• MBIO340 Behaviour and Physiology of Marine Animals

• MBIO363 Fish and Fisheries

• OS307 Marine Conservation Policy and Planning

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.