BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll get to grips with key biological and oceanographic themes, with topics ranging from biodiversity and ecosystems to evolution and microbiology. Through a mixture of lectures, small group tutorials, laboratory and fieldwork, you’ll begin to acquire skills that will boost your employability and help your career development. You’ll also benefit from a residential field course abroad, introducing you to the processes of scientific investigation, data collection and analysis.

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 develop a deeper understanding of the biology and ecology of marine organisms and chemical and biological oceanography. You will receive hands-on, practical training in marine survey, underwater sampling, and species identification, skills that will be honed during the field course in Sweden, where you will undertake field research in deep water from an ocean-going research vessel.

Core modules

• MBIO225 Methods in Marine Biology and Oceanography

• MBIO227 Biological Oceanography Field Course

• MBIO228 Biology of Marine Organisms

• OS201 Global Ocean Processes

Optional modules

• MBIO217 Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats

• MBIO221 Marine Molecular Biology

• OS204 Waves, Tides and Coastal Dynamics

• OS207 Scientific Diving

• OS209 Marine Remote Sensing

Optional placement year

During your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to do a work placement, for six or 12 months. Alternatively you’ll be able to choose a work-based learning module, alongside your studies.

Core modules

• BPIE336 Marine Biology related Placement

Final year

Your final year of study provides the opportunity for you to focus on your chosen areas of interest. You’ll conduct an extensive personal research project, applying the skills and methods you've learnt. You’ll also choose from a range of modules driven by the research interests of our staff, again giving you the opportunity to specialise and tailor your work towards your career goals, while studying at the cutting edge of marine biology.

Core modules

• MBIO313 Personal Research

• MBIO341 Biological Oceanography

Optional modules

• BIOL311 Ecotoxicology

• MBIO325 Marine Algae: Eco-Physiology and Utilization

• MBIO327 Marine Ecology

• MBIO339 Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates

• OS303 Ocean Dynamics

• OS304 Marine Ecosystem Conservation

• OS306 Coastal Geomorphology and Estuaries

• OS309 Marine Pollution and Environmental Change

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.