Marine Biology MSci

Programme structure

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in stages 2 and 3 of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

If you have mobility or health disabilities that prevent you from undertaking intensive fieldwork, reasonable adjustments and/or alternative assessment can be considered. This could include replacing a fieldwork module with an alternative in agreement with the Director of Education.

You are also permitted to take the five credit module BIO3406 Biosciences Research Internship in any year. Registration on this module is subject to a competitive application process. If taken, this module will not count towards progression or award calculation.

Year 1

120 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits BIO1411Genetics 15 BIO1415Introduction to Evolution and Behavioural Ecology 15 BIO1417Key Skills in Biological Sciences 15 BIO1418Introduction to Invertebrate Zoology 15 BIO1419Introduction to Vertebrate Zoology 15 BIO1420Physiology 15 BIO1421Field and Laboratory Techniques 15 BIO1422Introduction to Marine Biology 15 Year 2

90 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules

a It is compulsory to take a field course in the second year. You must select one field course from LES2001, BIO2442 and BIO2436. LES2001 is the default free module and may be substituted with BIO2436 or BIO2442.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits BIO2422Critical Thinking and Scientific Reasoning 15 BIO2426Analysis of Biological Data 15 BIO2432Exploitation of the Sea 15 BIO2437Biology of Aquatic Vertebrates 15 BIO2438Marine Ecology 15 Marine Biology second year field course modules - 2015/6 [see note a above] BIO2436Pembrokeshire Field Course15 BIO2442Scillies Field Course15 LES2001Grand Challenges Cornwall15 Optional modules CodeModuleCredits BIO2406Biodiversity and Conservation 15 BIO2407Population and Community Ecology 15 BIO2423Wildlife Disease 15 BIO2427Animal Ecophysiology 15 BIO2439Biology of Birds 15 ECM2901Mathematics of the Environment II 15 GEO2440Geographical Information Science and Systems 15 GEO2441Remote Sensing for Environmental Management 15 LES2002Workplace Learning 15 Year 3

75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules

b It is compulsory to take the BIO3417 field course in the third year.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits LES3001Preparing to Graduate 5 BIO3136Research Project 40 BIO3417Tenerife Field Course [see note b above]30 Optional modules CodeModuleCredits BIO3116Marine Vertebrate Conservation 15 BIO3128The Behavioural Ecology of Information Use 15 BIO3130Mating Systems Biology 15 BIO3131Trends in Ecology and Evolution 15 BIO3132Reproductive Biology 15 BIO3135Human Behavioural Ecology 15 BIO3400Living in Groups 15 BIO3401Coevolutionary Interactions 15 BIO3402Nature via Nurture 15 BIO3408Marine Ornithology 15 BIO3409Symbiosis in Marine Systems 15 BIO3410Sensory Ecology 15 BIO3411Science in Society 15 BIO3412Ecology and Evolution of Disease 15 BIO3413Animal Life Histories 15 BIO3415Ecological Responses to Climate Change 15 BIO3416Marine Spatial Ecology 15 CSC4011MLiving with Environmental Change 15 CSC4013MFrontiers in Global Health 15 ECM3905Mathematics Biology and Ecology 15 Year 4

120 credits of compulsory modules

c It is compulsory to take the BIOM056 field course in the final year.

Compulsory modules CodeModuleCredits BIOM051Sector-based Research Project 45 BIOM052Academic Research Project 45 BIOM056Tenerife Field Course (MSci) [see note c above]30