Bachelor of Marine Science
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Marine Science |
| Deakin course code | S337 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment |
| Campus | For students who commenced prior to 2023 |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 0100303 Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
The final intake to this course version was in 2022. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Study marine science at Deakin’s Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, where you will have access to spectacular marine environments teeming with rich biodiversity on your doorstep. Become an expert in ocean systems by exploring a broad range of disciplines, including marine microbiology and genomics, oceanography, marine modelling, marine biology and ecology, fisheries and aquaculture. The Bachelor of Marine Science equips you with the skills needed to create a sustainable future for the world’s oceans.
You will learn from expert marine science teaching staff in labs and facilities equipped for analytical chemistry, molecular biology and more. With hands-on practical activities located at the Queenscliff Marine Science Centre, you will get direct access to rocky shores, seagrass beds and mangroves as the surf beaches become your classroom.
Want to join the growing marine science community to help grow a sustainable blue economy?
Our Bachelor of Marine Science is a science-based and interdisciplinary course that aligns closely with the National Marine Science Plan. You will learn from a team of expert marine scientists and draw on the knowledge and experience of Australia’s leading marine research organisations, providing you with the science-based skill set in demand by employers in the marine sector.
You will graduate ready to join the greater marine science community, applying new marine technologies and innovative approaches to manage and protect the world’s marine habitats and ecosystems. A diverse range of career opportunities awaits, in both research and applied fields, including:
- oceanography
- marine biochemistry and biotechnology
- marine biology and ecology
- microbiology and genomics
- marine policy
- fisheries and aquaculture
- remote sensing and quantitative modelling.
If you choose to undertake further postgraduate studies, including research training, you can specialise in a specta-contific field of marine science as a research scientist.
Indicative student workload
Students can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, field trips, practicals and online interaction. Individual unit details in the course structure provide specific information relating to teaching activities in each unit. Students also need to study and complete assessment tasks in their own time.
Career opportunities
As a marine scientist, you will gain skills across multi-disciplinary areas which allow for a diverse range of career opportunities in both research and applied fields in areas such as oceanography, marine biochemistry and biotechnology, fisheries, remote sensing, marine biology and ecology, microbiology and genomics, mathematics or economics. Further postgraduate studies including research training can lead to students becoming research scientists in a specific field of marine science.
Participation requirements
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Students enrolled at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus will be required to undertake some of their practical learning experiences at the Queenscliff Marine Research Centre.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Course expenses
In addition to student contribution fees, students should be aware that they may be required to meet their own expenses in connection with travel, food and accommodation while on fieldwork.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Contribute scientific predictions, observations, innovation and knowledge towards a world-wide, sustainable blue economy by integrating and applying well-developed, multidisciplinary knowledge in the marine science field. Apply technical capabilities, including emerging marine technology and innovation and use them in a range of problem solving activities in a professional and/or academic setting within the field of marine science. |
| Communication | Use appropriate scientific language and formats including written, visual, oral and graphical forms to communicate and engage with a broad spectrum of society, such as those in industry, policy, regulation and the community. Generate, analyse and present key information in a professional manner with evidence from local and global contributions and contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Use well developed technical skills and judgement to retrieve, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information using a variety of tools and techniques. Apply quantitative skills in marine science using software programs associated with computational science and system dynamics |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate scientific information from multiple sources and use scientific methods and frameworks to structure and plan observations, experimentation, fieldwork investigations. Use analytical thinking and judgement to evaluate, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles in the field of marine science. |
| Problem solving | Apply traditional, emerging and innovative approaches and information to scope and solve real world (authentic) problems in marine science. Evaluate scientific methodologies, hypotheses, laws, facts and principles to create solutions for authentic marine science issues taking in account human dimensions of conservation management. |
| Self-management | Take personal, professional and social responsibility within changing professional science contexts to develop autonomy as learners and evaluate own performance. Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices. |
| Teamwork | Work in various team roles and also work collaboratively in a team to contribute towards achieving team goals. Apply interpersonal skills to interact and collaborate effectively to enhance outcomes in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Recognise the role, relevance and ethical implications of marine science in society and apply cultural, economic and social awareness, including those of indigenous people. Adopt, appreciate and respect scientific morals and ethics, including working with animals. |
Approved by Faculty Board 14 March 2019
Course structure
Core
Level 1 - Trimester 1
STP050 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) [No longer available for enrolment from 2024, alternate unit DAI001]
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| SLE107 | Marine Environments |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| SLE108 | Ocean Processes |
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
| STP010 | Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points) |
Plus two elective units (two credit points)
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| SLE236 | Marine Microbiology and Genomics |
| SLE238 | Marine Biology |
| SLE251 | Research Methods and Data Analysis # |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| SLE240 | Quantitative Marine Science |
| SLE240 | Quantitative Marine Science |
SLE262 Aquaculture and the Environment {No longer offered for enrolment, alternate unit SLE362]
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Level 2 - Trimester 3
SLE242 Quantitative Marine Ecology [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit SLE244]
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| SLE301 | Professional Practice # |
SLE304 Geographic Information Systems for Marine Environments {No longer offered for enrolment, alternate unit SLE245]
| SLE345 | Oceanography |
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
Level 3 - Trimester 2
SLE315 Marine Animal Physiology [No longer available for enrolment, alternate unit SLE363]
| SLE327 | Fisheries Science |
SLE328 Oceans, Coasts and Climate Change [No longer available for enrolment]
Plus one elective unit (one credit point)
# Must have successfully completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0 credit point unit)
Recommended elective
SIT194 Introduction to Mathematical Modelling
Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
It is important to note that some elective units may include compulsory placement, study tours, work-based training or collaborative research training arrangements.
Work experience
The course includes a compulsory professional practice unit that requires you to undertake at least 80 hours of work experience in a course-related host organisation. You’ll gain practical experience by completing a two week placement at a course-related host organisation to provide you with opportunities for workplace visits, field trips, industry learning and to establish valuable networks – giving you better insight into your possible career outcomes.
You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake a discipline-specific industry placement as part of your course. Explore the SEBE WIL program.
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.