Course aims

The program of study aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in coastal and marine systems. The program will examine ocean and coastal dynamics, coastal landforms and environments. The course will promote an understanding of the interactions between coastal processes and the evolution of marine and terrestrial landform evolution.

It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

understand and apply relevant scientific principles in the area of coastal and marine processes and environments
critically analyse and evaluate information relevant to coastal and ocean processes and the drivers of coastal change
appreciate the multidisciplinary aspect of marine and coastal systems, and engage positively with people and ideas beyond the discipline
work cooperatively and productively within a team
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the societal contexts of coastal conservation and issues relating to climate change and sea level rise.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

demonstrate familiarity with theories, subject content, professional methodologies, ethical frameworks and research procedures in coastal and marine sciences and management and be able to critically apply them in the real world and in science generally
understand and describe the processes through which current knowledge aboutcoastal and marine sciences and management and its related disciplines were developed
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data in coastal and marine sciences and management, and applying relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
competently design studies and research in coastal and marine sciences and management, employing methods, techniques and equipment that work effectively in the field and laboratory, and applying quantitative and qualitative skills for data analysis
demonstrate skill at identifying landforms and landform units found in marine and coastal environments
develop management solutions appropriate to the social, political, legal, economic and environmental contexts in which they are applied
understand the dynamics of coastal and marine ecosystems and their potential responses to changes, and understand the large scale connections extending from the catchment to the coast and into the deep ocean
apply conservation and management principles for coastal and marine conservation and sustainable use
communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form
appreciate that coastal and marine sciences and management is multidisciplinary and has connections to other science and non-science disciplines
plan and execute a research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for continuing professional development
interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals