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    KEY FACTS

    • Title
      BSc (Hons) Ocean Science
    • Course type
      Full-time
    • Duration
      3 years (no placement)
    • Award
      BSc (Hons)
    • Faculty
      Faculty of Science and Technology
    • School
      School of Marine Science and Engineering
    • UCAS codes
      Institution P60
      Course F700
    • Location
      Plymouth
Skip Navigation LinksPlymouth University > courses > undergraduate > BSc (Hons) Ocean Science
​Ocean wave

Overview

Over two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water and the entire planet is enveloped in a thin layer of air. These fluid systems, the Earth's oceans and atmosphere, play vital roles in controlling the Earth's climate and supporting life. Since early human history the oceans have provided an important source of food and a vital pathway for travel and exploration. In modern times we have increasingly turned to them as a source of energy and a location for our leisure activities. On global and local levels, processes occurring in the oceans and atmosphere continue to challenge, surprise and inspire, often providing new avenues for human exploration and investigation.
 
 


Ocean Science with Plymouth University​
Cloud formation taken from a weather satellite

This degree course is about developing an understanding of the behaviour of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere, how these systems regulate the Earth's climate and how they influence, and are influenced by, human activity. As such, Ocean Science is at the heart of the sustainable management and development of the marine environment for the future. Topics include ocean dynamics, currents, tides and waves, meteorology and climatology, underwater exploration, marine remote sensing, marine pollution, marine conservation and management and biological oceanography. Course highlights include:
  • practical work (including boat work) in Plymouth Sound, the Tamar Estuary and various locations in the local region including field-based courses in stages one and two of the course 
  • The sea shoreopportunity to undertake scientific diving in stage two
  • a strong core set of modules designed to ensure that students acquire a sound knowledge base across the whole range of ocean science subjects
  • all academic staff teaching on the programme are involved in nationally and internationally important research; there are particular strengths in wave and coastal processes, physical oceanography of shelf seas, turbulence and mixing, and marine policy and planning.

​What our students say

"My time at university has been a fantastic experience and a large part of that was due to exciting courses and fantastic lectures."

Mark Lynn, BSc Ocean Science
​Surveying the seabed in Plymouth Sound
​Falcon Spirit one of the University's research vessels
​Students studying sediment dynamics in the Tamar estuaryStudent diver

​Teaching and facilities

One of the benefits of studying a marine degree at Plymouth is the concentration of expertise within the University. Our staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with many having significant industrial experience. Their own research interests inform their teaching and they are friendly, supportive and enthusiastic.

The facilities are also excellent and include a fully-equipped fleet of boats, an underwater remotely operated vehicle, and a meteorological laboratory. Plymouth University has its own Diving and Marine Centre  running many water sports activities, but also offering professional diving training.

​Career opportunities

Ocean science graduates are currently employed in a wide variety of roles in the marine sector, including monitoring and management roles for local councils or within centrally-funded regulatory bodies, oceanographic work and other roles in the offshore industry, research and development in the coastal engineering sector, weather forecasting and research in universities and government-funded laboratories. In addition, some ocean science graduates choose to use their scientific training and skills to enter graduate professions, such as teaching, IT, sales, management and HM forces.

Ocean science research

​The City of Plymouth as an international centre for marine science research

Plymouth provides a perfect environment to study ocean science. The city has a long-standing international reputatioin as a centre of excellence in marine science and as well as the University, with its Marine Institute, is home to the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, the Diving Diseases Research Centre and the National Marine Aquarium. The UK Meteorological Office is now also located in Devon and provides easy access to the National Meteorological Library and Archive.

A view from Plymouth Hoe

The natural harbour of Plymouth Sound, the Tamar, Plym and other local estuaries and the coastline of the South West peninsula provide a natural laboratory to explore the world of ocean science.

 

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

 IMarEST logo

Research and industry collaboration

 

The University has strong links with individuals and organisations working in marine science, and these provide various benefits for students ranging from talks by visiting speakers to opportunities to participate in research cruises.

 Diver and coral reef

What our students say

"Having graduated from Plymouth with a 2:1 in BSc (Hons) Ocean Science I started work for Halcrow Group Ltd as a graduate coastal scientist. I enrolled on Halcrow’s professional development programme and achieved Chartered Water and Environmental Manager status via the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)."
 
Alan Frampton
Coastal Scientist, Halcrow Group Ltd
​

Photo of Alan Frampton

What our students say

"Studying for a degree in ocean science at Plymouth University opened the door to my career in wave modelling at the Met Office. For my final year project I set up and ran a coastal wave model to predict wave propagation into Sennen Cove in Cornwall. I really enjoyed the project from start to finish and the experience it gave me is the main reason why I am now working in my current job as a Wave Modelling Systems Scientist: about six months after I graduated, the Met Office was recruiting for just such a post."


Chris Bunney
Wave Modelling Systems Scientist, Ocean Forecasting Research and Development, UK Met Office

​Photo of Chris Bunney

What our students say

"Plymouth University introduced me to and educated me in a range of marine science disciplines. This broad range was what first attracted me to the University and has helped me to develop a multidisciplinary aspect to my science.
 
Although a relatively new university, Plymouth has a long history of marine science and manages to attract excellent research scientists and teaching staff. The University also benefits greatly from its close association with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Marine Biological Association. I would encourage any marine science student who chooses Plymouth to take full advantage of these excellent resources."
 

Dr Matthew Palmer
Physical Oceanographer, NERC National Oceanography Centre​  

Photo of Dr Matthew Palmer