Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology)
ObjectivesDeakin's Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) will provide you with a unique opportunity to study cool-water marine biology, in a marine environment that has some of the highest biological diversity in Australia. You will undertake fieldwork in natural marine environments on the Victorian coast throughout your course, providing you with an exciting and hands-on program of study. You can also experience the environment first hand through a state-of-the-art, remotely operated underwater vehicle which beams images into the classroom, as they are being generated on the sea floor. The experience brings the marine environment to life, giving you the opportunity to participate in activities like identifying marine plants and animals as the underwater vehicle runs across a reef or along the seabed. An integral part of the course is the study of marine wildlife and the influence of oceanographic processes. This combination of knowledge and skills will give you the capacity as a graduate to contribute significantly to the management of the marine environment in Australia and overseas.
Entry requirementsApplicants should have successfully completed VCE or equivalent. Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Academic titleBachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology)
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
On graduation, you will have the scope to gain employment in both the public and private sectors, in areas such as marine conservation, marine biology and ecology, marine environmental assessment, fisheries assessment, marine and coastal management and estuaries assessment and management. Graduates have secured positions such as fisheries biologist, environmental manager, research scientist, environmental consultant, water quality officer and waterways manager. An increasing number of graduates are actively engaged in research in similar areas.
Course rules
To be awarded a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) degree, a student must complete 24 credit points including 18-credit-points of core units. There are six elective units available giving students the opportunity to undertake study in another area of interest from the University.
Students should note that they must also comply with the following rules:
* level 1 - up to 10 credit points
* levels 2 and 3 - at least 14 credit points over both levels
* level 3 - at least 6 credit points of which at least 4 must be science course-grouped
* All students are required to complete at least one wholly online unit.
Course structure
Year 1
Trimester 1
SQA101 Ecology and the Environment
SQB144 Introduction to Marine and Freshwater Biology
SQP105 Introduction to Aquatic Pollution
SQP106 Essential Skills in Marine and Freshwater Science
SBS010 Laboratory Safety Induction Program *
Trimester 2
SQA102 The Physical Environment
SQP126 Practical Skills in Marine and Freshwater Science
SQB161 Aquaculture and the Environment
plus one elective unit
* SBS010 is a compulsory 0-credit point unit
Year 2
Trimester 1
SQA201 Society and Environment
SQB244 Aquatic Ecology
SQB255 Marine Biology
SBS251 Research Methods and Data Analysis
Trimester 2
SQB261 Diversity of Fishes
SQB263 Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
SQP252 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
plus one elective unit
Year 3
Trimester 1
SQA301 Professional Practice
SQB334 Temperate Marine Ecology
SQP302 Geographic Information Systems: Uses in Aquatic Environments
plus one elective unit
Trimester 2
SQB336 The Seas - Their Use and Misuse
plus three elective units
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.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should have successfully completed VCE or equivalent. Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications for on and off campus study must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).