BSc (Hons) Oceanography and Coastal Processes

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

In your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of the core aspects of physical, chemical and biological oceanography as well as beginning to focus on the physical processes that shape the open ocean and coastal environments. You’ll receive advanced training in the preparation, programming, deployment, recovery and maintenance of instrumentation and develop a proposal for your final year research project. You’ll also be able to broaden your interests into areas such as meteorology, remote sensing and scientific diving.

• OS201 Global Ocean Processes

• OS202 Monitoring the Marine Environment

• OS204 Waves, Tides and Coastal Dynamics

• OS206 Researching the Marine Environment

• OS203 Seafloor Mapping

• OS205 Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment

• OS207 Scientific Diving

• OS208 Meteorology

• OS209 Marine Remote Sensing

Gain relevant industrial or workplace experience with the Ocean Science placement.

• BPIE338 Ocean Science Placement

During your final year, you’ll complete your core training in advanced aspects of ocean dynamics and coastal processes and participate in a residential field trip where you’ll use and develop your practical skills. A large proportion of your time will be spent completing your individual research project for which you will be given guidance by a member of academic staff. You’ll also be able to pursue an option module, for example to explore ocean modelling, climate science or marine pollution.

Core modules

• OS301 Ocean Science Research Project

• OS303 Ocean Dynamics

• OS306 Coastal Geomorphology and Estuaries

• OS305 Coastal Survey

• 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

• OS315 Modelling Ocean and Climate Processes

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.