Marine Biology BSc

Program Overview

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The University of Exeter's BSc Marine Biology program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the marine environment. Through hands-on fieldwork, participation in research teams, and a flexible curriculum with optional professional placement or study abroad options, graduates develop essential skills for careers in conservation management, ecology, and other marine-related fields.

Program Outline

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BSc Marine Biology - University of Exeter

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Degree Overview:

The BSc Marine Biology program at the University of Exeter is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the marine environment, encompassing the biology of marine organisms, their ecosystems, and the pressing issues they face. The program emphasizes whole animal biology, biodiversity, ecology, and behavior.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the essential skills and experience to understand the challenges facing marine ecosystems, including overexploitation and climate change.
• Provide hands-on fieldwork opportunities in the UK and abroad, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
• Foster learning from internationally renowned academics and active participation in world-class research as members of research teams.

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Outline:

The BSc Marine Biology program is a three-year program, with the option to extend it to four years with a professional placement or study abroad.

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Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Genetics (BIO1411) - 15 credits
• Marine Biology (BIO1433) - 30 credits
• Evolution (BIO1429) - 15 credits
• Skills and Careers (BIO1430) - 15 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Microbes (BIO1425) - 15 credits
• Physiology (BIO1420) - 15 credits
• Ecology and Conservation (BIO1426) - 15 credits
• Zoology (BIO1427) - 30 credits

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Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Analysis of Biological Data (BIO2426) - 15 credits
• Exploitation of the Sea (BIO2432) - 15 credits
• Biology of Aquatic Vertebrates (BIO2437) - 15 credits
• Marine Ecology (BIO2438) - 15 credits
• Bio Penryn 2nd Year Field Course (BIO2454) - 15 credits (compulsory field course)
• Optional Modules:
• Biodiversity and Conservation (BIO2406) - 15 credits
• Evolutionary Ecology (BIO2414) - 15 credits
• Animal Ecophysiology (BIO2427) - 15 credits
• Development of Behaviour (BIO2428) - 15 credits
• Behavioural Ecology (BIO2430) - 15 credits
• Biology of Birds (BIO2439) - 15 credits
• Molecular Ecology (BIO2446) - 15 credits
• Atmosphere and Ocean Systems (GEO2428B) - 15 credits
• Remote Sensing for Environmental Management (GEO2441) - 15 credits
• Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans (GEO2451) - 15 credits
• Wildlife Disease (BIO2423) - 15 credits
• Spatial Ecology (BIO2453) - 15 credits
• Mathematics of the Environment (ECM2911) - 15 credits
• Physical Ocean Processes (GEO2457) - 15 credits
• Oceans and Human Health (ECE2001) - 15 credits
• Workplace Learning (LES2002) - 15 credits
• Green Consultants (GEO2449) - 15 credits

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Professional Placement/Study Abroad Year (if taken):

• Professional Placement:
• Professional Placement (LES3002) - 120 credits (compulsory)
• Study Abroad:
• Modules vary depending on the host university.

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Final Year:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Research Project (BIO3136) - 40 credits
• Global Research Skills Virtual Field Course (BIO3440) - 15 credits (only available if not going on the field course)
• Penryn 3rd Year Field Course (BIO3441) - 30 credits (compulsory field course)
• Preparing to Graduate (LES3001) - 5 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Marine Vertebrate Conservation (BIO3116) - 15 credits
• Trends in Ecology and Evolution (BIO3131) - 15 credits
• Human Behavioural Ecology (BIO3135) - 15 credits
• Living in Groups (BIO3400) - 15 credits
• Symbiosis in Marine Systems (BIO3409) - 15 credits
• Sensory Ecology (BIO3410) - 15 credits
• Ecological Responses to Climate Change (BIO3415) - 15 credits
• Evolutionary Biology of Health and Disease (BIO3420) - 15 credits
• Animal Migration (BIO3421) - 15 credits
• Science in Society (BIO3411) - 15 credits
• Coevolutionary Interactions (BIO3401) - 15 credits
• Animal Life Histories (BIO3413) - 15 credits
• Animal Cognition (BIO3422) - 15 credits
• Marine Climate and Environmental Change (GEO3455) - 15 credits
• Marine and Coastal Sustainability (GEO3458) - 15 credits
• Ocean Management and Conservation (BIO3433) - 15 credits
• Major Transitions in Evolutionary History (BIO3434) - 15 credits
• Living with Environmental Change (ECE3001) - 15 credits
• Frontiers of Global Health (ECE3002) - 15 credits

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Course Variants:

• BSc Marine Biology with Professional Placement:
• UCAS code: CF20
• Students spend their third year on a self-organized work placement with an organization relevant to their degree.
• Students receive support from their module convenor during the placement year.
• The placement year counts towards the final degree classification and the words "with Professional Placement" appear in the degree title.
• BSc Marine Biology with Study Abroad:
• UCAS code: CF19
• Students spend their third year studying at a partner university abroad.
• Over 30 partner institutions are available worldwide.
• Students liaise with both their host institution and the Exeter study abroad coordinator to decide on a program of study.
• Credit for academic work during the year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution.
• The words "with Study Abroad" appear in the degree title.

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Assessment:

• Year 1 does not count towards the final degree classification, but students must pass to progress.
• All marks after Year 1 count towards the final classification.
• Modules are assessed using a variety of methods, including essays, exams, presentations, laboratory reports, and a dissertation.

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Teaching:

• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, and independent study.
• Regular research seminars are held by staff and visiting lecturers.
• Students are taught by experts in their field who bring their research findings directly to their teaching.
• Students participate in research teams and contribute to data collection.
• The program has close links with conservation organizations in the UK and overseas, providing opportunities for guest lectures, placements, and project work.

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Careers:

• Graduates are employed in discipline-relevant roles in the UK and overseas, including laboratory-based positions, conservation management, ecology, teaching, and nursing.
• The skills gained on the course are transferable to other career paths, such as law, business, or management.
• The University of Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters.
• The Careers Service provides support to students in finding employment.
• Recent graduates have worked as conservation professionals, biological scientists, environment professionals, laboratory technicians, welfare and housing associate professionals, web design professionals, public relations professionals, photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators, archivists, and curators.
• Recent graduates have worked for AECOM, Cornwall Science Community, Darwin Ecology, Ecology Solutions, Fishtek Consulting, Harris Lamb Property Consultants, Natural England, Society for the Protection of Turtles, UKSTEM Ltd, World Wildlife Fund, and others.
• Students report having a highly personal experience that is intellectually stretching but great fun, providing plenty of opportunities to quickly get to know everyone.
• The program includes an extensive range of field courses across local, national, and international destinations.
• Field courses provide opportunities to apply knowledge to real-world situations and forge lasting relationships with fellow students and academics.
• The program develops employer-valued skills such as analytical problem solving, teamwork, and organizing and communicating information.
• The University of Exeter offers a dedicated Careers Service to support students in their career decision-making and success in the employment market.
• The University of Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters.
• The program is highly regarded, with 71% of students saying staff value their views and opinions about the course, 81% saying teaching staff have supported their learning well, and 85% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

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UK students: £9,250 per year International students: £29,700 per year

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Fieldwork

Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in these optional field courses, you will be expected to cover the cost of travel to some locations, which will be outlined clearly beforehand. However, field courses with no additional travel costs are available to select in each year. You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen.