BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation

• Year 1

• Your first year, shared across the Marine Science Undergraduate Scheme, introduces the full range of topics within the degree and develops your underpinning scientific knowledge and practical skills. You’ll develop your understanding of the Earth’s oceans and the key physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in these systems. You’ll build practical skills and enhance your ability to analyse, present and interpret scientific data through field-based activities.

  Core modules

  • Introduction to Ocean Science (OS101)

    This module provides an introduction to the breadth and importance of the field of ocean science and aims to develop skills in scientific enquiry and communication.

  • 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.

  • Measuring the Marine Environment (OS104)

    This module will introduce stage one students to the basic skills required to collect, analyse, visualise and present marine data. The module has a focus on the collection and analysis of a variety of marine data sources.

  • Mapping the Marine Environment (OS105)

    This module will introduce and help students to develop skills in field survey techniques, collation of data within software and presenting results. A range of primary data will be gathered in the field, both on land & at sea and be uploaded into software for visualisation. The assessment will address techniques, analysis and reporting.

  • Exploration and Geomorphology of the Oceans (OS108)

    This module introduces students to the scope of ocean exploration and hydrography with application in a variety of marine disciplines. It covers key concepts of geodesy, optical and acoustic measurement techniques to explore underwater and geomorphological characteristics of the marine environment. Material will be explored by theory lectures, supported by practical exercises and computer laboratory practicals.

  • Introduction to Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystems (OS109)

    This module will provide an introduction to biodiversity with particular focus on marine organisms. Students will be taught how we name and classify species using a hierarchical system. Students will learn where different organisms live and how they interact in various ecosystems in our oceans. Students will gain a basic understanding of food webs, primary production and marine ecology.

• Year 2

• Your second year introduces specialist marine conservation concepts and continues to build knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics in ocean science. The core marine conservation modules develop an understanding of the range of impacts human activities have on marine ecosystems. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your interests through a choice of option modules covering areas such as coastal oceanography, scientific diving and more advanced hydrographic survey and mapping methods.

  Core modules

  • Global Ocean Processes (OS201)

    This module explores the large-scale distribution and characteristics of water masses and biogeochemical properties throughout the global oceans. Physical mechanisms that drive the global circulation in a changing climate will be investigated alongside their role in determining the transport of chemical constituents throughout the open ocean and in shelf seas. The life cycles and distribution of marine organisms and the structuring of marine foodwebs will be explored.

  • Monitoring the Marine Environment (OS202)

    Monitoring of the marine environment provides data that underpins research, exploitation, management and policy development. Through this module, students will learn about the practicalities of reliable data collection, be introduced to the full breadth of secondary data sources from across the subject area and develop associated skills in time-series data analysis techniques and interpretation.

  • Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment (OS205)

    This module will introduce how human activities (such as fisheries, energy supply and mineral extraction) can impact the marine environment, including through pollution and biodiversity loss. The concepts of marine management and conservation will be introduced and methods of preventing and managing anthropogenic impacts will be introduced and evaluated and their role in marine conservation discussed.

  • Researching the Marine Environment (OS206)

    This module will provide fundamental skills in developing research projects and planning and executing field studies with minimal supervision. Students will identify and plan an independent research project. They will be introduced to safety and practical issues before being trained in relevant techniques and instrument programming. They will participate in instrument deployment and recovery and analyse the data acquired.

  Optional modules

  • Seafloor Mapping (OS203)

    This module introduces techniques for mapping the seafloor with an emphasis on the nature, propagation and application of sound underwater for sonar surveys.

  • Waves, Tides and Coastal Dynamics (OS204)

    This module provides an introduction to the characteristics of ocean waves and focuses on how waves and tides interact with the coast and drive the coastal processes that result in shoreline erosion and accretion.

  • 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.

  • Meteorology (OS208)

    This module provides an introduction to the main physical processes occurring in the atmosphere on a range of spatial and temporal scales, with particular emphasis on meteorology relevant to the UK. Meteorological observations and/or measurements will be used to explore the occurrence of a specific meteorological phenomenon (e.g., frontal weather, cloud development, atmospheric flow, extra-tropical cyclone).

  • Marine Remote Sensing (OS209)

    This module introduces the theory underlying remote sensing using introductory lectures and laboratory practicals. An opportunity to apply the theory in the remote sensing context is provided by boat and computing work. Remote sensing imagery is introduced early in the module and students work on image enhancement, analysis and interpretation in the latter part of the course, supported by theory lectures and/or workshops.

• Optional placement year

• Gain relevant industrial or workplace experience with the Ocean Science placement. 

  Core modules

  • Ocean Science Placement (BPIE338)

    A period of professional training (minimum 26 weeks) spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial or workplace experience, to apply knowledge from the first two stages of study and to prepare for employment after graduation.

• Final year

• During your final year you’ll develop your scientific skills with the opportunity to participate in a residential field course. A large part of your final year will be spent on an independent research project with guidance from an academic advisor. Taught modules will complete your advanced understanding of marine ecosystem conservation and marine conservation policy and management. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your specific interests, for example in marine pollution or biological oceanography, through an option module. 

  Core modules

  • Marine Ecosystem Conservation (OS304)

    From tropical mangroves to temperate pelagic waters, marine ecosystems around the world face a variety of threats due to human activities and resource pressure. This module will examine threats to a range of marine and coastal ecosystems and explore methods for management and conservation. We will explore methods for surveying and monitoring marine ecosystems and learn about the ecological consequences of human impacts.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Biological Oceanography (MBIO341)

    This module provides a study of the key physical, ecological and organismal processes in the marine environment and introduces a range of biological studies in applied marine science.

  • Coastal Survey (OS305)

    This module provides issues relevant to a fuller understanding of variables and actions in the marine environment, including environmental legislation and ethics, data collection techniques, its analysis and assessment in compliance with the sustainable future vision. The module includes elements of fieldwork for data acquisition and archaeology.

  • Coastal Geomorphology and Estuaries (OS306)

    A study of the different geomorphological archetypes of the coastal zone which builds on the student's knowledge of physical processes to describe how the geographical characteristics of these zones develop. The module explores how the characteristics of these zones influence the associated ecosystems and examines how human utilisation of this space contributes to or conflicts with the natural setting.

  • Marine Pollution and Environmental Change (OS309)

    This module will consider the sources, transport, sinks and impacts of a wide range of pollutant types (including nutrients, trace elements, sediments, anthropogenic pollutants and carbon dioxide). Practical field techniques will be introduced and used to assess the environmental condition of estuarine waters. Emphasis will be placed on critical evaluating the links between human activities and marine water quality.

  • Marine Science Field Course (UK) (OS312)

    This module provides an opportunity to consolidate field skills and marine science knowledge through an intensive field research course. Students will work in groups to plan and conduct fieldwork to explore a chosen marine science theme. Factors including safety, weather, and experimental design will be addressed.

  • Ocean Science and Marine Conservation Field Course (OS313)

    This module provides an opportunity to consolidate field skills and marine science knowledge through an intensive field research course. Students will work in groups to plan and conduct fieldwork to explore a chosen marine science theme. Factors including safety, weather, and experimental design will be addressed.

  • Oceanography, Coastal Processes and Surveying Field Course (OS314)

    This module provides an opportunity to consolidate field skills and marine science knowledge through an intensive field research course. Students will work in groups to plan and conduct fieldwork to explore a chosen marine science theme. Factors including safety, weather, and experimental design will be addressed.

  • 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.

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 Ocean Science And Marine Conservation Programme Specification September 2024 5174