Why study Marine Science?
Marine science is the scientific study of our oceans and coastal habitats, and includes a wide range of disciplines in the biological, chemical, physical and Earth sciences. Students can pursue a general study plan or a more specialised plan in an area such as marine biology or marine geology. With an increasing focus on the role of our oceans to provide food and resources for our growing populations, the next generation of UQ marine scientists will play a major role in ensuring that we protect and profit from our oceans.
What you can study
UQ has the largest and best marine research facilities of any Australian tertiary institution, and also possesses the largest assembly of marine scientists in the state, and possibly Australia. Students of marine science have an opportunity to undertake studies at the Moreton Bay Research Station (MBRS), and Heron Island Research Station (HIRS) in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Employment opportunities
Marine scientists work in many fields of research and education, including teaching, fisheries laboratories, wildlife conservation, marine parks, planning and management, museums, universities, marine science institutes, the fishing industry, oil companies, power-generating authorities, marine-resource development, and engineering and consulting companies.
Application procedure
Australian Students
Applications must be lodged via the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre.
International Students
Applications must be lodged via the Online Application Form.
Grant opportunities
You might be surprised by how many scholarships you are eligible for at UQ.
We offer more scholarships than any other university in the state, so you should take some time to research everything we have on offer.
Depending on the rules and conditions of the scholarship you apply for, it might be possible to hold more than one scholarship at once – so, read all rules and conditions closely.
Study area scholarships
Many scholarships are offered for certain academic disciplines. These scholarships might be for students enrolled in a specific degree, school or faculty, or for students who are researching or studying a particular topic.
Study area scholarships open and close throughout the year, so it’s important to regularly check which opportunities you might be eligible for.
Research scholarships
Funding for HDR scholarships may come from UQ, the Australian Government, private donors, international organisations, or other sources. Whether you’re new to HDR study or an existing HDR student, it’s always worth checking which scholarships have opened recently.
Scholarships might provide funding for:
- tuition fees
- living expenses
- travel
- other costs.
Equity scholarships
At UQ, we strongly believe that all students deserve equal access to education. Equity scholarships are designed to financially support students from low socio-economic, disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds.
Sporting scholarships
UQ is the greatest sporting university in Australia, so it makes sense that we offer scholarships for sporting excellence.
Sporting scholarships may be awarded to new and current UQ students who have exceptional ability in their chosen sport.
UQ is accredited by the Australian Sports Commission as an Elite Athlete Friendly University, which means we support students to balance their academic studies with elite-level competition.
UQ Academic Scholarships Program
The UQ Academic Scholarships Program is our flagship undergraduate scholarship scheme. Three scholarships are offered in the program:
- UQ Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
- UQ Excellence Scholarships
- UQ Merit Scholarships.
Up to 150 scholarships are awarded through the program each year.
Employability Grants
At UQ, we know that finding a job goes beyond your degree – it’s also about all those soft skills that can’t be taught in classrooms, like life experience, people skills or attitude.
That’s why we’ve developed the Employability Grant, which is designed to let UQ students enhance their employability through activities including exchange, global opportunities, entrepreneurial activities, and volunteering.
We believe that different experiences will make you a better person – and more employable as well.
Learning outcomes
What will I study?
The Marine Science major provides students with a comprehensive and detailed science education by directing their study towards a broad foundation of subjects in their first two years. This ensures that students entering their third year in the Marine Science major will already have developed an extensive knowledge base in marine science, along with critical knowledge in their area of specialisation. Third level courses are designed to develop attributes that serve graduates in a range of professions within marine science. As part of the Marine Science major you can also expect to take part in research based projects and practicals using advanced scientific equipment and field station facilities. Undergraduate research projects at UQ span the girth of marine science, including ecology, conservation, global change biology, paleobiology, microbiology, genomics, parasitology, coral reefs, marine mammals, algae and plants, coastal management, fish behaviour, aquaculture disease management, oceanography and neurobiology.
Students can choose to specialise in one of the following:
Marine Biology and Ecology
Studies in marine biology and ecology include such areas as the discovery and understanding of the basic biology of marine microbes, plants and animals; the behaviour, physiology, and biochemistry of marine organisms; and the functioning of, and interactions within, marine communities. UQ has one of the strongest records in Australia in marine biology and ecology. The marine biology and ecology specialisation will develop a strong understanding of the key disciplines in the biological and ecological sciences. For example, a typical marine biology and ecology student will enter their third year with a background in zoology, plant science, genetics, ecology, biostatistics, physiology and molecular biology, in addition to marine science. In third year, students can develop a program that focuses in marine biology and ecology, but can include courses from other disciplines, ranging from chemistry to molecular biology. This third year program is rich in both applied and basic knowledge, and emphasises hands-on laboratory and field experience.
Marine Geoscience
Australia’s coastline and ocean territory, which encompasses an area greater than its continental landmass, are important resources that are under intense pressure. Students in the marine geoscience specialisation will develop broad skills in physical sciences necessary to tackle the most pressing concerns facing our coastal and marine environments today. This specialisation emphasises the intricate connections between the solid earth, the hydrosphere, crysophere and the atmosphere. It will involve: the application of geochemical, geophysical, remote sensing and computational principles and techniques in the study of coral reefs; sediment and nutrient cycles in coastal and deep sea environments; coastal geomorphology; seafloor and ocean-island volcanism; offshore petroleum and mineral resources; chemical evolution of marine waters; ocean circulation processes; palaeobiology; climatology; and paleoclimatology. Students in the marine geoscience stream will develop a strong understanding of the underlying processes and key disciplines associated with marine geoscience. In third year, students can select a program that mainly focuses on marine geoscience or blend this with other disciplines, ranging from biology and ecology to physics.
Coastal Environments
Australia's coastal environments are economically, ecologically and socially important – locally, nationally and internationally. However, they are under ever-increasing pressure from direct exploitation and disturbance related to human activities. These issues include the indirect effects of human activities such as increased runoff of sediment and other pollutants from the land, and the effects of increased CO2 concentrations, such as warming and acidification of coastal waters. Students undertaking the coastal environments stream will gain expertise in a range of disciplines, including geomorphology, climatology, ecology, coastal processes, remote sensing, planning and management. Importantly, students learn to integrate and apply these disciplines effectively in a management context. This specialisation will equip graduates to work effectively at the boundaries between science, law, government and industry to find solutions to the complex issues involved.
Prerequisites
Entry requirements for Australian students
Visit the Future Students website for admissions information
Entry requirements for International students
View the entry requirements for international students.
Prerequisites
Queensland Year 12 or equivalent English, Mathematics B plus one of Chemistry or Physics. View the equivalent qualifications for International students.
Visa requirements
CRICOS Code: 001961J
English proficiency
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BEP - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
View the English proficiency policy.
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