MRes Applied Marine Science

• Join a long established (1991), well-respected programme with an excellent record for employment in the marine sciences sector.

• Develop confidence and competence in the theoretical and practical dimensions of marine science, deepening your scientific knowledge of the coastal environment and the pressures placed on it.

• Gain the skills and knowledge required to work as a marine scientist through a vocationally relevant programme, while also benefitting from our strong research-based teaching, supported by our marine research groups.

• Become experienced in coastal zone management using a range of practical techniques and approaches to problem solving.

• Connect with local marine organisations through the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership, which includes the Universities' Marine Institute, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the National Marine Aquarium.

• Make the most of our links to commercial consultancy companies, local councils and environmental organisations that can provide project ideas and supervision on your dissertation.

• Access an extensive range of field/laboratory equipment, including the COaST laboratories, our research vessel RV Falcon Spirit and a new waterfront Marine Station.

• Build the skills required to assimilate knowledge over a wide range of disciplines and apply them to environmental analysis.
  
  
• Benefit from the option of studying this programme part time.

NB. If you prefer to focus on research, or want to prepare for your PhD, take a look at our MSc Applied Marine Science programme.

• Programme overview
• Our programme includes taught modules, research training, laboratory work, coursework, exams, a research project and dissertation. There are visits to local bays and estuaries and a field week working with complex instrumentation in the lab and at sea. Period one concentrates on research training and a multi-disciplinary overview of the marine sciences. Periods two and three are spent on your research project and dissertation. You can carry out your research project and dissertation with external bodies (e.g. PML, Fugro-GEOS, Astra-Zeneca) in the UK and abroad. Topics include projects in both pure and applied research. Due to the extended nature of the MRes research project, you take an additional module on project planning at the start of your dissertation period that provides underpinning and support for the development of your research project. You are also required to successfully defend your completed dissertation by viva voce with an external examiner.
  
  
  Further programme information.

  Core modules

  • MAR513 Research Skills and Methods

    This module aims to equip students with the practical skills and contextual framework for conducting high quality research. Emphasis is placed on workshop opportunities to acquire and practice research planning, analysis, communication, writing and oral presentation skills.

  • MAR514 Marine Science

    This module provides an introductory overview of basic oceanography including physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects of the subject. There is particular emphasis on methods of quantifying and predicting coastal conditions, as well as interplay between physical, chemical and biological aspects of ocean science.

  • MAR515 Management of Coastal Environments

    This module introduces the process, method and framework used to manage change in coastal and marine environments. It will focus on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) with emphasis on the importance of collectively considering physical, ecological and socio-economic factors and processes. It will illustrate the range of the management processes available using field-, lecture- and seminar-based case studies.

  • MAR525 MRes Dissertation

    The student will complete a research project that they have designed in the semester 1 research skills module. The project can be submitted in the format of a journal paper or dissertation. The write-up will communicate the project aims, methodology, data analysis, interpretation, synthesis and conclusions. The student will defend his/her work in a viva voce with the Subject External Examiner.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MRes Applied Marine Science Programme Specification September 2016 1907

You should have:

• A good honours degree or equivalent preferably in a science or engineering subject. If you don’t have any recent formal qualifications, we may accept work place experience.

• If you have overseas qualifications you can check how they compare with the UK equivalent through UK NARIC, who provide an advisory service. 

English language:

• If English is not your first language then we’ll need evidence of your proficiency in English. The minimum IELTS score usually accepted is 6.5. Our International Office has more information.

Applying for postgraduate taught study

The University aims to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Postgraduate Admissions and Enquiries team are on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail. If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by Plymouth University, please visit our Disability Assist Services website. Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

If you would like any further information please contact the Postgraduate and Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858

Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Submitting an application

Apply for postgraduate study using our online postgraduate application form.

Alternatively you can download a copy of the application form to be submitted by hand, by post or via email with accompanying attachments.

Additional guidance information can also be downloaded on how to fill in the postgraduate application form.

Applying for postgraduate research study

The University aims to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. The Graduate School are available to answer any queries on our postgraduate research degrees.  If  you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by Plymouth University, please visit our Disability Assist Services website. Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

If you would like any further information please contact the Graduate School:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 587640

Email: graduateschool@plymouth.ac.uk

Submitting an application

Apply for postgraduate study using our online postgraduate application form.

Alternatively you can download a copy of the application form to be submitted by hand, by post or via email with accompanying attachments.

Additional guidance information can also be downloaded on how to fill in the postgraduate application form.