Marine Science with Optional Placement Year
Our degree in marine science is the integrated study of the biological, physical and chemical aspects of our coasts and oceans. It covers marine biology and ecology, sea level change, marine geology, underwater archaeology, oceanography and ocean engineering, and the oceans as an economic resource and as a global climate regulator.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Ulster University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor at UK Level 6 | Ulster University |
Duration
Three years (four years with DPP/DIAS option).
Attendance
You are on campus five days per week. The contact time average is 16 hours per week, 24 hours per week average independent study including academic assessment.
Entry Requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
104 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English and Maths at a minimum of H6 if studied at Higher Level or minimum of O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Careers / Further progression
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course are now working for:
AgriFood & Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
Marine Institute
Loughs Agency
Fugro
HR Wallingford
ARUP
ABCO Marine
Job roles
With this degree you could become:
Marine biologist
Marine geologist
Underwater archaeologist
Coastal engineer
Hydrographic surveyor
Chemical oceanographer
Fisheries scientist
Career options
Our graduates have found employment all around the world, in roles as diverse as environmental consultants, offshore geophysicists, aquaculture scientists, coastal engineers, ocean engineers, marine mammal scientists, GIS consultants, scientific officers, mapping officers, hydrographic surveyors, university Lectures, fisheries scientists, laboratory technicians, science teachers, meteorologists, marine ecologists, marine biologists, fishery data managers, statisticians, government scientists, mathematical modellers, physical oceanographers, biological oceanographers, chemical oceanographers, marine geologists, marine archaeologists, marine conservationists, marine biotechnologists, marine bioacousticians, mapping and charting officers, commercial divers, scientific divers, aquarium curators, marine guides, coastal zone planners, marine information specialists, science writers, shellfish biologists, coastal geomorphologists, marine law, and many others in both the private and public sectors.
Further information
Start date: September 2024
Deadlines for on-time applications
2024 entry application deadlines
For courses starting in 2024 (and for deferred applications), your application should be with us at UCAS by one of these dates – depending on what courses you apply for. If your completed application – including all your personal details and your academic reference – is submitted by the deadline, it is guaranteed to be considered.
16 October 2023 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – any course at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. You can add choices with a different deadline later, but don’t forget you can only have five choices in total.
31 January 2024 for 2024 entry at 18:00 (UK time) – for the majority of courses.
Some course providers require additional admissions tests to be taken alongside the UCAS application, and these may have a deadline. Find out more about these tests at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/admissions-tests
Check course information in the search tool to see which deadline applies to you at the application weblink below.
Apply as soon as possible: Student funding arrangements mean that as offers are made and places fill up, some courses may only have vacancies for students from certain locations. It’s therefore really important that you apply for your chosen courses by the appropriate deadlines mentioned above, as not all courses will have places for all students.
All applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing - find out more about Clearing at https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
Overview
Do you want to make a difference?
Summary
Are you passionate about the health of our oceans and life in our seas?
Our degree in marine science is the integrated study of the biological, physical and chemical aspects of our coasts and oceans. It covers marine biology and ecology, sea level change, marine geology, underwater archaeology, oceanography and ocean engineering, and the oceans as an economic resource and as a global climate regulator.
Oceans provide many opportunities for sustainable communities through renewable energy schemes, carbon sequestration and sustainable fishing. The Blue Economy (activities related to the ocean) is growing each year, and in 2018 was worth €566 billion while generating an estimated 3.5 million jobs across Europe.
Why do marine science with us?
• We have had 100% satisfaction from students in the National Student Survey for six years (2014-2019).
• 100% of our students get the option to complete a placement in industry or study abroad (i.e. we offer an optional placement year).
• 92% of our graduates are employed or in further study within 6 months of graduating (DLHE, 2018).
• Our course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.
• We are ranked 12th out of 66 UK universities for Geography and Environmental Studies (The Guardian 2019)
• We are located on the Coleraine Campus, minutes away from the spectacular Causeway Coast with lots of natural laboratories to explore including the open sea, estuaries, rivers, lakes, woodlands and uplands.
This course is 3 years or 4 years if you choose to complete an optional placement year.
About
Are you passionate about the health of our oceans and life in our seas? Our degree in marine science is the integrated study of the biological, physical and chemical aspects of our coasts and oceans. It covers aspects of marine biology and ecology, through marine geology, maritime archaeology and ocean engineering, to the oceans as an economic resource and as a global climate regulator. Oceans provide many opportunities for sustainable communities through renewable energy schemes, carbon sequestration and sustainable fishing. The Blue Economy (activities related to the ocean) is growing each year, and in 2018 was worth €566 billion while generating an estimated 3.5 million jobs across Europe.
The human population, estimated at 7.6 billion in 2018, is expected to increase to 11 billion by 2100. With the majority of the world’s largest cities located in coastal zones, more than 75% of people are expected to live within 100 km of the coast by 2025. At a time of unprecedented environmental change on Earth, society is having to adapt to processes and hazards that are poorly understood.
Now, more than ever, society needs STEM graduates with an interdisciplinary understanding of the complexity and uncertainty of the marine and atmospheric systems, and with the skills and competencies to observe, measure, model and manage these systems. We achieve this in our marine science degree through the integration of theoretical, practical and field-based approaches. Our Coleraine campus is ideally located on the Causeway Coast, one of the world’s most spectacular natural laboratories.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year 1
EGM Skills Toolbox
Sustainable Worlds: People and Environments
The Lithosphere
The Biosphere
The Hydrosphere
Introduction to Marine Systems
Year 2
The Atmosphere
Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems
Coastal & Marine Processes
Skills for Sustainable Planning
Research Methods and Field School
Marine Ecological Systems and Processes
Year 3
Industrial placement - Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP)
Diploma in Intern'l Academic Stds (learning in a foreign language) - Optional
Year 4
Geography and Environmental Sciences Dissertation
Environmental Change
Advanced Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
Research and Professional Skills
Coastal and Marine Environments
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Work placement / study abroad
Students also have the option to extend their academic studies by electing to study abroad for a year or by working in industry/business. This additional year spent away from Ulster University is taken in the third year.
Study abroad options
You will have the opportunity to study for a year at a university abroad. Options include a range of European countries, North America and partner universities in Australia and French Polynesia. On successful completion you will be awarded an additional diploma (DIAS).
Industrial placements
The industrial placement scheme gives you the opportunity to work for 10 months within an organization developing skills and applying knowledge. On successful completion you will be awarded an additional diploma (DPP).
Ulster University,
Cromore Rd,
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
T: 02870 123 456