Master of Marine Biology

Program Overview

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Master of Marine Biology

Overview

Develop outstanding discipline knowledge of marine biology and advance your skills in the areas most sought after by marine sector employers. Gain unrivalled hands-on experience in unique locations like the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. Work with emerging technologies for marine ecosystem monitoring, learn how to incorporate vital data analysis methods into your work and research, and collaborate with world-leading researchers in Coral Reef Science and Management.

Fast Facts

• Location: JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Townsville
• Commencing: The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Townsville: January, September
• Fees: Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $8,970.00+ (estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load)
  • $35,110.00^ (estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load)
• Duration: The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 2 years full-time
• Entry Requirements: This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge.
  • AQF level 7 bachelor degree in science with a minimum GPA of 5.0, or equivalent

Course Detail

What to Expect

Develop a comprehensive knowledge of marine biology as well as a diverse skill set with this interdisciplinary marine biology degree. Participate in specialised, hands-on training in unmatched locations like the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. Gain extensive experience in research methods and data and laboratory analysis while honing your data science and communication skills to bring your practise and research to the next level. Prepare for your future career through internships within government agencies and research institutions involved with the stewardship of UNESCO World Heritage listed coral reefs and other extraordinary environments like mangrove forests and the deep sea.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of JCU's Master of Marine Biology you will have outstanding discipline knowledge of marine biology, transferrable scientific, technical and quantitative skills, and qualities that enable you to contribute to improving marine ecosystems and tropical societies.

During your one-year research project or three-month professional internship you will have opportunities to work with national and international institutions, local environmental industries, NGOs, and government departments for fisheries, science or environmental management. These opportunities frequently lead to employment or further research through PhD studies post-graduation.

Highly regarded by employers, JCU marine biology graduates are sought after within a range of private and public sector organisations, both in Australia and internationally, for technical, research, education, management and policy-related positions. You can go on to employment within a high-profile environmental management and consultancy agency, a government department, a scientific research institute, a commercial venture, or in an education, tourism or even a global environmental media group.

Research Areas

• Marine biology
• Mathematics/statistics/modelling
• Environmental science and management
• Marine and microbial ecology
• Cross-disciplinary studies

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Marine Biology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Develop outstanding discipline knowledge of marine biology and advance your skills in the areas most sought after by marine sector employers. Gain unrivalled hands-on experience in unique locations like the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. Work with emerging technologies for marine ecosystem monitoring, learn how to incorporate vital data analysis methods into your work and research, and collaborate with world-leading researchers in Coral Reef Science and Management.

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Objectives:

• Provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of marine biology and ecology, including recent developments in the discipline.
• Develop students' abilities to retrieve, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate complex information in order to critically appraise the application of contemporary theories in marine biology.
• Enhance students' organizational, analytical, and interpretative skills through the utilization of mathematical, statistical, and technological tools.
• Train students in the planning and conduction of reliable, evidence-based laboratory and/or field experiments, ensuring proper selection and application of methodologies.
• Cultivate critical reflection skills, enabling students to assess their own knowledge, attitudes, and professional needs.
• Develop students' proficiency in communicating scientific concepts, methodologies, data, arguments, and conclusions through written and oral means.
• Equip students with the ability to identify knowledge gaps and generate solutions to complex problems in marine ecosystems by applying scientific principles and expert judgment.
• Familiarize students with regulatory requirements, ethical principles, and cultural frameworks, allowing them to work effectively and responsibly in diverse contexts.
• Provide students with mastery of technical skills essential to marine science practice, including field and laboratory-based data collection, data handling and processing, and project management.
• Empower students to plan and execute substantial research-based projects or demonstrate autonomy and expert judgment within a professional workplace environment.

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Outline:

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Core Subjects:

• Advances in Marine Biology (MB5000:03)
• Evidence and Controversy in Marine Science (MB5350:03)
• Career Planning (SC5200:03)

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Major Options:

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Coral Reef Science

• Coral Reef Geomorphology (EV5406:03)
• Tropical Marine Ecology and Coastal Impacts (MB5001:03)
• Marine Conservation Biology (MB5004:03)
• Biological Oceanography (MB5055:03)
• Evolution and Ecology of Reef Fishes (MB5160:03)
• Coral Reef Ecology (MB5190:03)
• Coral Reef Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools (MB5310:03)
• Marine Ecology and Upwelling (SC5810:03)

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Marine Conservation and Management

• Human Dimensions of Nature, Environment, and Conservation (EV5020:03)
• Coastal and Marine Management and Conservation (EV5701:03)
• Tropical Marine Ecology and Coastal Impacts (MB5001:03)
• Marine Conservation Biology (MB5004:03)
• Managing Tropical Fisheries (MB5014:03)
• Conserving Marine Wildlife: Sea Mammals, Birds, Reptiles (MB5204:03)
• Coastal, Estuarine, and Mangrove Ecosystems (MB5270:03)
• Grand Challenges in Fisheries (MB5620:03)

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Marine Genomics

• Aquaculture: Stock Improvement (AQ5004:03)
• Aquaculture: Principles and Practices (AQ5006:03)
• Advanced Genes, Genomes, and Development (BC5101:03)
• Advanced Bioinformatics (BC5203:03)
• Evolution (BZ5450:03)
• Ecological and Conservation Genetics (BZ5450:03)
• Marine Conservation Biology (MB5004:03)
• Marine Biogeography (MB5070:03)

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Fisheries Science

• Sustainable Aquaculture (AQ5015:03)
• Human Dimensions of Nature, Environment, and Conservation (EV5020:03)
• Fisheries Science (MB5003:03)
• Managing Tropical Fisheries (MB5014:03)
• Marine Reserves as Fisheries Management Tools (MB5310:03)
• Fishing Gear and Technologies (MB5610:03)

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Careers:

Graduates of JCU's Master of Marine Biology are highly sought after by private and public sector organizations in Australia and internationally. Career opportunities exist in technical, research, education, management, and policy-related positions. Graduates may find employment at environmental management and consultancy agencies, government departments, scientific research institutes, commercial ventures, educational institutions, tourism organizations, and even global environmental media groups.