Marine Biology (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-04-24 | 2023-02-10 |
| 2023-09-19 | 2023-01-27 |
| 2024-01-03 | 2023-11-25 |
Program Overview
Course overview
This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills. Please note that the accreditation applies to Levels 4, 5 and 6 of the Single Honours programme only.
The oceans provide us with key resources. This degree aims to provide graduates with a broad understanding of the fundamental aspects of the biology of life as well as more specialised aspects such as fisheries, marine animal behaviour, conservation genetics and marine pollution. Students will visit a range of local habitats and have the option to go overseas to undertake field work on a tropical coral reef. The degree will culminate in their dissertation. Graduates will be equipped with relevant and evidenced competency in the application of marine biology to practical settings, providing access to a wide range of employment opportunities or postgraduate-level study.
Why study this course with us?
At Chester you will be taught a broad degree, exploring genetics, physiology, biodiversity and behaviour. Our staff have both national and international research, industry and consultancy experience, and use this to inform their teaching. Our department is friendly with an open door policy and uses a variety of teaching methods to assist students with all learning needs. Students appreciate the sense of community. All students will be assigned a personal academic tutor, who will support them throughout their degree.
The University of Chester is located in close proximity to the Dee Estuary which comprises the marine areas of The Dee Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) and Dee Estuary / Aber Dyfrdwy Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with internationally important wetland species.
We have an excellent team to support students throughout their time with us and including careers advice for when they leave. With a Marine Biology degree from Chester you will enter the sector as a work ready graduate who is able to hit the ground running either within the sector or with a broader career should you so choose.
Our staff are well connected to a number of Marine Biology organisations and are working with them to develop extracurricular activities such as beach cleans and volunteering for marine conservation projects.
Program Outline
Teaching methods
Lecture theatres, excellent research and training facilities and IT suites in Chester plus in the field at national locations. Approximately 20 hours per week workload.
Assessment
There will be a range of assessment methods with a balance between course work and examination. Course work includes: essays; laboratory and field reports, oral and poster presentations a management plan and a dissertation.
Job prospects
Our graduates are well equipped with both transferable skills and the specific skills required for a career in marine biology (perhaps in wildlife conservation, fisheries or marine habitat restoration) or a broader career (policy making, NGO or scientific journalism).
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability - Student Services aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
Students and graduates of the University of Chester can use our services free of charge for up to two years after graduating.
The location
The campus is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.
