National Marine Science Centre
degrees and awards > undergraduate third year options
The third year undergraduate course is comprised of the following NMSC units:
Marine Systems Science and Management
Examines processes and issues and integrates principles of natural science, engineering, legislation and economics as they relate to the global marine environment. In the unit, students will cover the complex coupling and feedback mechanisms linking the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and the biosphere. The unit will provide integrated regional case studies displaying the ecological and economic implications of environmental policy decisions. The unit is issue-focused rather than discipline-focused.
Successful Sampling
Provides an understanding of the nature of scientific investigation in field studies in the marine environment and methods of data collection and analysis. Practical skills in collecting and analysing field data and in interpretation of data for application to management problems in the marine environment are also developed.
Science for Management
Develops new and innovative ways of bridging the gap between science and management. It integrates social, economic and political approaches with physical environmental and biological data in an attempt to provide ways of achieving better management outcomes.
Marine Communities as Sentinels of Change
Examines the range of natural marine communities, their ecological structure and function, links between communities, and their responses to natural and human-induced disturbances. Students will be actively involved with quantitative field ecology studies of various subtropical marine communities.
Global Climate and Oceans Systems
Discusses the ocean/atmosphere interactions and their short and long-term effects on climate. Examines modern technologies such as remote sensing used for ocean/atmosphere research, and modelling techniques used for climate change prediction. Examines the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen in the coupled ocean-atmosphere system and how they have a critical effect on climate. Palaeoclimates are also examined to illustrate that climate has always been changing. The effect of climate change on marine ecology is briefly examined to illustrate how organisms adapt. The management implications of climate change are examined, as well as the use of novel adaptations such as carbon trading and the use of remote sensing of the ocean for use in agriculture.
Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment
Examines how we can use ocean resources sustainably. It integrates the information delivered in preceding units to identify the major issues affecting the marine environment. It explores the underlying principles of ecological sustainable development, integrated catchment management, and large marine ecosystem management. The practical application of environmental planning and management instruments such as environmental impact assessment, state of the environment reporting cost/benefit analysis, ecological risk assessment and threat abatement plans are explained. Principles of fisheries management are critically examined. Threats to marine biodiversity (particularly wildlife such as whales, turtles and seabirds) are considered, and conservation strategies such as marine protected areas and species recovery plans are discussed.
Pollution of the Marine Environment
Provides a multidisciplinary approach to defining the major types of chemical, physical, biological and genetic pollutants that impact upon marine environments, and the pathways, fates and effects of these pollutants on marine ecosystems and human health. Different approaches to the design of monitoring programs for detecting pollutants, and techniques for controlling pollutants and regenerating pollution-impacted ecosystems will be examined. Students will also gain skills in sampling techniques and analysis of pollutant samples.
Coral Reefs on the Edge
Provides a unique approach to the study of coral reefs by integrating essential scientific ecological training with important management techniques, and critical analysis of the current global reef status and recent initiatives designed to manage major threats to coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Students will be actively involved with field and laboratory studies of aspects of quantitative coral reef ecology and management.
The degree gives undergraduates a wide exposure to a range of marine science and management subjects and it is expected that subsequent to the degree graduates may gain experience in a range of areas of interest and specialise in areas suited to their attributes and ambitions. A range of the positions held by past graduates is available from the NMSC on request.
Click to download the degree patterns of Marine Science and Management awards at the partner universities. Degree patterns are subject to change and students should check with their university before enrolment.