KEY FACTS

Title
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography
Course type
Full-time
Duration
3 years (optional placement)
Award
Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Technology
School
School of Marine Science and Engineering
UCAS codes
Institution P60
Course CF17
Location
Plymouth

Academic Excellence Awards associated with this course

Marine life and ocean processes

Earth truly is a ‘blue planet’ - the oceans cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and account for over 90% of the biosphere. It is often said that we have a greater knowledge of the surface of the moon than we do of the oceans on Earth. With current concerns about the impacts of rapid climate change, a better understanding of marine life and ocean processes is essential because of the huge implications for life on Earth and the future of human societies.

Marine Biology and Oceanography with Plymouth University

Our interdisciplinary approach means that you will study the biology and ecology of marine organisms alongside the physical processes of coastal and oceanic waters (water movement, sediment transport and tidal dynamics) and marine chemistry. You may also choose to study applied aspects, such as pollution and ecotoxicology, together with marine conservation.

Plymouth has an unrivalled location and reputation as a centre for marine biology. Much of the teaching is supported by practical lab and field work, with two residential field courses: one currently in France during the first year and another, currently held at the Kristineberg Marine Research Centre in Sweden, at the beginning of the second year. Students also undertake their own research project in their third year, with many encouraged to publish their projects as papers in scientific journals.

Jellyfish

Students in a laboratory session examining organisms that live in kelp

What our students say

"Plymouth University afforded me the complete academic and social experience that higher education should be. Almost everything about my course was perfect, and if anything could be improved, the University and its staff were very willing to listen to the advice and suggestions of students in order to improve in all aspects of their degrees."

Charlie Read, a recent Marine Biology and Oceanography student

Meet some of the lecturers

Dr Kerry Howell teaches on some of the modules for this programme, her research interests include: deep-sea ecology, deep-sea conservation and management, spatial planning, high seas/deep-sea marine protected areas, habitat classification, habitat mapping, predictive species modelling, deep-sea food webs, and ecosystem impacts of deep-water fisheries. She is currently working on a project funded by the BBC Wildlife Fund called 'Mapping the deep' that tackles the principle causes of destruction of the UK's cold water coral reefs, coral gardens and other vulnerable habitats (that is destruction caused by contact with bottom trawl gear), by providing maps of their distribution so that they can be protected in the future.

The South West - a superb natural environment for field work

The shores and clear coastal waters of Devon and Cornwall provide an unrivalled resource for marine biologists. A diverse range of rich coastal habitats — estuaries, sandy beaches, and rocky shores — are readily accessible for field trips and your own projects.

A recent World Wildlife Fund report highlights the South Devon coast as the area of highest marine biodiversity in the whole of the UK. We have rich rocky shores right on the waterfront of the city – five minutes from the campus and a range of coastal sites with varied ecology just a short drive from the city. Our field work programme is constantly praised by External Examiners who have commented that “ …. few other universities offering degrees in marine biology have such good facilities.”

Career opportunities

Some of our graduates go on to further studies taking masters or PhD degrees that can lead to research or consultancy careers in marine-related areas. Others pursue careers as laboratory technicians, research assistants, teachers, or in other non-related fields where the transferrable skills acquired on the course are invaluable.

what our students say

Although Plymouth University was not my first choice, I am really happy with my final choice of university. It has an outstanding reputation in the field of marine biology, all the lecturers are leading scientists in their field and the quality of education is undeniable.

The City of Plymouth an international centre for marine science research

Marine biology staff are members of the Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre. Besides the University, Plymouth is home to other internationally renowned establishments, which make up the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership — the Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, the National Marine Aquarium, and the Diving Diseases Research Centre.

PMSP logo

We collaborate in many research projects with these organisations and, as a student, you will have opportunities to benefit from the great intellectual environment this provides through numerous talks, events and activities. Many of our students gain valuable experience whilst working or volunteering, or conducting research for their final year dissertations in association with these organisations.

Diving Science in the Marine Biology degrees

Plymouth has wonderful diving opportunities. We are the only University that offers Diving Science linked to an HSE Professional SCUBA course as part of your degree. Diving Science is an optional module in stage 2, for students on the Marine Biology, Marine Biology and Oceanography and Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology Degrees. Parts of the HSE course are taken in stage 1 and during vacations. (Note that completion of the HSE course is subject to medical and aptitude conditions with limited places; additional costs must be met by the student).

Our recent graduates are regularly working as divers on TV documentaries, as well as surveyors for environmental consultancy firms, British Antarctic Survey and Government Agencies.

For more information about the HSE course please visit the Diving & Marine Centre page

KEY FACTS

​Marine life and ocean processes

​Marine Biology and Oceanography with Plymouth University

What our studen​ts say​