BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation

Your first year, shared across the Marine Science Undergraduate Scheme, introduces the full range of topics within the degree and develops your underpinning scientific knowledge and practical skills. You’ll develop your understanding of the Earth’s oceans and the key physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in these systems. You’ll build practical skills and enhance your ability to analyse, present and interpret scientific data through field-based activities.

• OS101 Introduction to Ocean Science

• OS102 Physical and Chemical Processes of the Ocean

• OS103 Biology and Hydrography of the Ocean

• OS104 Measuring the Marine Environment

• OS105 Mapping the Marine Environment

• GEES1001PP Natural Hazards

• GEES1003PP Sustainable Futures

• GOV1000PP One Planet? Society and Sustainability

• OS106PP Our Ocean Planet

Your second year introduces specialist marine conservation concepts and continues to build knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics in ocean science. The core marine conservation modules develop an understanding of the range of impacts human activities have on marine ecosystems. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your interests through a choice of option modules covering areas such as coastal oceanography, scientific diving and more advanced hydrographic survey and mapping methods.

• OS201 Global Ocean Processes

• OS202 Monitoring the Marine Environment

• OS205 Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment

• OS206 Researching the Marine Environment

• OS203 Seafloor Mapping

• OS204 Waves, Tides and Coastal Dynamics

• OS207 Scientific Diving

• OS208 Meteorology

• OS209 Marine Remote Sensing

• BPIE338 Ocean Science Placement

During your final year you’ll develop your scientific skills with the opportunity to participate in a residential field course. A large part of your final year will be spent on an independent research project with guidance from an academic advisor. Taught modules will complete your advanced understanding of marine ecosystem conservation and marine conservation policy and management. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your specific interests, for example in marine pollution or biological oceanography, through an option module.

Core modules

• OS301 Ocean Science Research Project

• OS304 Marine Ecosystem Conservation

• OS307 Marine Conservation Policy and Planning

• MBIO341 Biological Oceanography

• OS305 Coastal Survey

• OS306 Coastal Geomorphology and Estuaries

• OS309 Marine Pollution and Environmental Change

• OS312 Marine Science Field Course (UK)

• OS313 Ocean Science and Marine Conservation Field Course

• OS314 Oceanography, Coastal Processes and Surveying Field Course

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.