BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology

• Year 1

• In your first year, you’ll be introduced to marine biology, ecology and key biological themes, with topics from biodiversity and ecosystems to evolution and animal behaviour. Via lectures, small group tutorials, lab and fieldwork, you’ll begin to acquire skills that will boost your employability and help your career development. You’ll benefit from hands-on experience on the Devon coastline, and an overseas residential field course, exposing you to different marine organisms and developing your scientific skills.

  Core modules

  • Cells: The Building Blocks of Life (BIOL131)

    The cell is the basic building block of life. This module introduces you to the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the cell biology that allow different cells to do different things including some highly specialised cells of multicellular organisms. The module will then focus on the molecular basis that underlies cell function introducing you to the metabolic pathways and molecules that allow cells to work.

  • Introduction to Marine Biology (MBIO120)

    This module will introduce students to marine biology covering aspects such as marine ecosystems, organisms and oceanography. This will also start to develop a range of core skills and confidence in effective written communication, information technology (including use of peer-reviewed literature), and data handling skills. It will also start to develop field and id skills and taxonomy skills and safe fieldwork practices.

  • Marine Biology Field Course (MBIO123)

    This module develops core skills in effective oral and written communication and provides a toolbox of essential material on numeracy and statistics to address quantitative questions in Marine Biology. During an intensive field course, you will immerse yourself in practical aspects of marine biology, asking questions based on observations and then formulating appropriate hypotheses that can then be tested.

  • Evolution and Behaviour (MBIO161)

    Covers the principles underpinning evolution with a special focus on animal behaviour as adaptive traits. Module covers concepts of the genetic basis of inheritance, population genetics, selection, adaptation, function, fitness and speciation. We will use key examples and practical classes to illustrate key ideas and consider the development of some of the ideas in a historical context.

  • Biodiversity (MBIO162)

    This module introduces the scientific study of biodiversity. Starting with the question what is biodiversity? students go on to explore where it is, how it is distributed across the Earth, and how we value it. This leads to a discussion of how biodiversity is threatened and how we conserve it. Embedded in this big picture is an introduction to the biology of some key taxa that characterise biodiversity.

  • Physical and Chemical Processes of the Ocean (OS102)

    This module provides an introduction to the main physical and chemical processes occurring in the world's oceans and a foundation in key aspects of underpinning science and mathematics.

• Year 2

• In your second year, you’ll sharpen your practical skills on the South Devon coastline, just minutes away. We’ll introduce you to methods for collecting, handling and analysing scientific data, understanding ecological theories, applying these to shallow water marine habitats, and getting to grips with the major threats faced by aquatic habitats worldwide. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of what shapes marine and coastal biodiversity through a residential field course, currently held in South Africa.

  Core modules

  • Ecology (BIOL214)

    You will understand the basic concepts needed to solve ecological problems - individual, population and community ecology. You will explore a range of examples from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, which will provide a useful insight into the search for general theories of ecology.

  • Coastal Biodiversity and Ecology Field Course (MBIO213)

    Currently this field course goes to South Africa and has two major themes – understanding patterns of biodiversity and “Asking questions in Biology”. It also provides you with an excellent opportunity to familiarise yourself with marine and coastal flora and fauna associated with some of the most unspoiled and spectacular coasts in the world. Our work there is focused on the diversity of large mammals, marine biogeography, and a range of small projects on the behaviour of marine organisms.

  • Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats (MBIO217)

    Shallow water marine habitats represent some of the most diverse and productive habitats on earth. This module provides an overview of the key factors influencing their ecology and will also consider the biology of the organisms therein, the scientific study of shallow water habitats and the analysis, evaluation and communication of marine ecological data.

  • Methods in Marine Biology, Coastal Ecology and Oceanography (MBIO229)

    Provides the core skills and techniques to equip students to perform field studies in Marine Biology, Coastal Ecology and Oceanography. Introduces appropriate methodologies for the collection, handling and analysis of data; the scientific principles underlying experimental design and the effective communication of scientific information.

  Optional modules

  • Principles of Conservation Biology (BIOL204)

    You will understand core biological principles that are central to successful conservation. The conceptual aspects of population, molecular and evolutionary ecology will be explored, along with their role in understanding the dynamics of and threats to extant populations of organisms.

  • Applied Aquatic Biology (MBIO220)

    You will understand human impact on freshwater and marine ecosystems around the world as well as strategies for monitoring, conserving and sustainably using these ecosystems.

  • Ecophysiology of Marine Animals (MBIO222)

    This module will develop a detailed understanding of how marine organisms work within an ecological and evolutionary context.

  • Biology of Marine Organisms (MBIO228)

    This module will provide an introduction to fundamental aspects of the biology of marine organisms. Particular attention is paid to the diversity of form and function within key groups of marine chloroxygenic organisms and animals and how this allows them to inhabit different marine environments.

  • Scientific Diving (OS207)

    This module allows suitably qualified students (HSE SCUBA or equivalent) to develop industry and research-relevant skills in measurement and monitoring in the underwater environment using professional SCUBA and related techniques. These will then be applied in a multi-disciplinary context to the planning, execution, analysis and reporting of a field-based sampling activity.

• Optional placement year

• During your optional third year, you’ll have the opportunity to arrange a work placement, for a six or 12-month period. In this way you’ll be applying the skills you've learned in a professional environment, gaining invaluable experience while making a host of contacts – useful when it comes to finding your first job.

  Core modules

  • Marine Biology related Placement (BPIE336)

    An optional six- to twelve-month placement provides a valuable complement to your programme and is an opportunity for you to widen your employment experience and to consolidate the first two stages of study. Whether you work with conservation organisations, consultancies, research institutions or a company of your choice, you can take the opportunity to gain valuable experience and learn new skills to prepare you for the final stage of your degree and employment after graduation.

• Final year

• Your final year of study allows you to focus on your chosen areas of interest, building your own specialisms and skills. You’ll conduct an extensive personal research project, applying the skills and methods you've learned. You’ll also choose from a range of modules that are driven by the research interests of our staff, again giving you the opportunity to specialise and tailor your work towards your career goals, whilst studying at the cutting edge of the field.

  Core modules

  • Marine Ecology (MBIO327)

    This module considers the processes and mechanisms that affect the development and structure of marine communities through a discussion of the current evidence base, recent concepts and theories relating to multiple life histories stages of marine species from around the globe and experimental testing of behavioural processes. This will be followed by an investigation of the nature and significance of key processes in structuring marine communities.

  • SoBMS Project (PROJ302)

    This module provides an opportunity to undertake a research project on an individually developed topic and experience the entire process of scholarly research: from problem formulation, through the design and execution of an investigation, analysis of results and presentation of outcomes. It will develop skills in independent working and self-awareness in relation to personal, professional and academic development.

  Optional modules

  • Applied Conservation Biology (BIOL308)

    You will focus on the application of biological theory to the management of populations of wild and captive animals. You will understand how theory feeds into, and informs, practice, whilst developing knowledge of the major approaches, analytical tools and techniques, and software used in the public and private conservation sectors.

  • Global Change Biology (BIOL310)

    You will gain an overview of the state of the art understanding of the consequences of climate change across all three domains of life. From this, you will understand how climate change biology is essential in conservation theory and practice and the impacts of climate change and both local and global scales.

  • Behavioural Ecology (MBIO317)

    You will understand the theory underpinning key conceptual models in behavioural ecology such as foraging, distribution and game theory. You will critically discuss and evaluate these models in relation to empirical studies.

  • Speciation and Diversity (MBIO324)

    This module deals with the nature, generation and significance of biological diversity through a discussion of recent species concepts and mechanisms of speciation in a range of organisms, with emphasis on the evolutionary processes at work. This is followed by an investigation of the nature and significance of biological diversity; how it is assessed, and how it is distributed.

  • Ecology and Conservation of Marine Vertebrates (MBIO339)

    You will understand the risks of depletion of marine vertebrates owing to fishing, industrial development, pollution and habitat degradation. You will examine the ecology of these organisms in their natural environments and will explore methods for surveying, monitoring and managing populations and species.

  • Fish and Fisheries (MBIO363)

    This module examines aspects of fish biology and fisheries science in relation to real-world challenges of managing fish populations sustainably. This is an integrative module, which builds on fundamental principles in fish physiology, behaviour or ecology, and examines how these underpin frameworks for fisheries science.

  • Conservation Physiology (MBIO364)

    This module introduces learners to this emerging field of conservation through a lecture-discussion based format. This module explores fundamental physiology principles and approaches that have been used to inform the conservation of marine species and ecosystems challenged by natural and anthropogenic stressors.

  • Marine Conservation Policy and Planning (OS307)

    This module explores issues surrounding the maintenance of a healthy marine environment. It will develop an understanding of marine governance, including policy frameworks and agencies responsible for implementing marine conservation strategy. Topics include the range of measures and approaches for successful marine conservation and the importance of taking holistic approaches to management, including policy and planning

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

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

BSc Marine Biology And Coastal Ecology Programme Specification September 2024 1199