Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology)

2017 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2017 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2017 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology)
Course Map	2017 course map If you started your course before 2017, please refer to the plan your study page or contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	053749E Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool
Deakin course code	S399
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Quality Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin’s marine biology course provides you with a unique opportunity to study temperate marine biology in an environment that has some of the highest biodiversity in Australia. Through extensive hands-on laboratory and fieldwork experiences you’ll discover the great diversity that exists in coastal and oceanic ecosystems, and learn how to sustainably manage precious marine environments.

The course has a strong ecological focus, linking biological and oceanographic processes in the study of marine environments. You’ll explore coral reefs to icebergs, estuaries to oceans, the surf zone to the deep abyss. You’ll learn about how marine ecosystems function and how marine organisms interact with their living and non-living environments.

Throughout the course you’ll get a strong understanding of environmental sustainability, and use scientific methods and tools to practice sustainable management of natural resources within marine and coastal environments, relevant to both Australia and overseas.

You’ll gain stimulating hands-on experience through fieldwork in natural marine environments on the Victorian coast, including the Great Ocean Road. For example, each year students study in the Merri Marine Sanctuary where they can develop their skills in scientific research methods, impact assessment and marine and coastal management. Students will also have the opportunity to work with government and non-government organisations on specific volunteer projects, including Parks Victoria and monitoring of penguins on Middle island, Fishcare and Friends of the Merri.

You will have the opportunity to study tropical marine environments within Australia and gain a broader view of the world by electing to study overseas.

You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a professional practice unit, which involves a placement within a relevant, course-related organisation within either Australia or overseas.

Career opportunities for graduates include employment in marine ecotourism, marine education, fisheries, aquaculture, environmental consultancy, environmental risk assessment, aquariums and museums, and can range from marine education, laboratory technician, environmental consultant, field officer, marine park ranger, local government environmental officer, sustainability project officer, GIS analyst, as well as moving into marine biology research or pursuing postgraduate study.

Units in the course may include assessment hurdle requirements.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities for graduates of this course include marine biology tour guide, fishery officer, marine biology consultant, laboratory technician, local government environmental officer, aquaculture manager, sustainability project officer, as well as moving into research or pursuing postgraduate study.

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 food and accommodation while on fieldwork.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (DGLOs)	Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession.	Appreciate the structural make up of coastal and marine environments, their physical and chemical characteristics and interaction to recognise how organisms live and exist in dynamic environments. Articulate the form and functions of organisms and how they manage environmental challenges of surviving in diverse environments. Assess habitats and organisms and recognise sustainability issues and concerns to manage and conserve animals and plants within marine environments and to evaluate its sustainability.
2. Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change.	Use appropriate language and formats including written, visual, oral and graphical forms to communicate with a range of audience. Generate, analyse and present key information in a professional manner with evidence from local, national, and international contributions and contexts.
3. Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information.	Use well developed technical skills and judgement to locate, analyse and synthesise information and responsibly disseminate information using a variety of tools and techniques.
4. Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment.	Locate and evaluate scientific information from multiple sources and use scientific methods and frameworks to structure and plan observations, experimentation, fieldwork investigations and to undertake environmental impact and risk assessment. Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement to analyse, synthesise and generate an integrated knowledge, formulate hypotheses and test them against evidence-based scientific concepts and principles in the context of aquatic environment.
5. Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems.	Identify possible causes, effects and underlying environmental problems, brainstorm potential solutions, and develop criteria for evaluating those solutions. Provide specialist advice to solve environmental problems by designing and planning investigations and using scientific tools and techniques to apply systems and management perspectives to formulate future sustainability and conservation solutions to problems.
6. Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions.	Work independently and responsibly with initiative and judgement to function safely and professionally in a manner that assimilates feedback and incorporates refection for future learning and ethical practice.
7. Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds.	Collaboratively work with others in order to critically analyse, problem solve, develop and manage plans for generating sustainable processes and solutions to manage and conserve the environment.
8. Global citizenship: engaging ethically and productively in the professional context and with diverse communities and cultures in a global context	Adopt and value multidisciplinary knowledge and perspectives for evaluating, integrating and incorporating strategies and solutions in scoping, planning and managing alternative sustainable solutions from local to global environmental problems.

Approved by Faculty Board 14 July 2016

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology), students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point. So that means in order to gain 24 credit points, you’ll need to study 24 units (AKA ‘subjects’) over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points which must include the following:

21 core units
3 elective units
Completion of SLE010 Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
Completion of STP010 Introduction to Work Placements (0 credit-point compulsory unit)
level 1 - up to 10 credit points
level 3 - at least 6 credit points of which at least 4 must be science course-grouped