BSc (Hons) in Marine Science University of the Highlands and Islands

What is special about this course?

Are you passionate about our seas and oceans? do you enjoy science? Do you want to study in an area with an enormous wealth of marine and coastal environments at a campus right on the beach?

Study our BSc (Hons) Marine Science at the Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI (SAMS UHI) in Oban and explore the marine realm first hand. You will learn about marine science and technology from world-leading researchers and apply the latest technologies.

The facilities of this long-established and internationally renowned marine laboratory, and the ready access you will have to experts in the field will be a great springboard to success in your future marine science career.

Fieldwork is an important element of the course and you will learn how to collect samples and data on research vessels, in aquaria and on the seashore. You will also develop excellent laboratory skills.

While the programme takes a holistic approach to the marine environment, students can specialise and graduate with exit qualifications in 'Marine Science with Arctic Studies' or 'Marine Science with Oceanography and Robotics.'

Special features

• The coastline around Oban is the ideal location for studying marine science
• You will have access to the facilities of an internationally renowned marine laboratory
• Independent research projects and field courses form a key part of your studies
• Excellent staff to student ratio
• Choose from streams in Marine Science or Marine Science with Arctic Studies or Marine Science with Oceanography and Robotics
• Opportunity to spend one or two semesters at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) in the Arctic Circle or at another partner university

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation on campus ideally suited to students on this course.

Content

Year 1 - CertHE

Modules include:

• Marine field course

• Mathematics and statistics for science

• Fundamentals of marine biology

• Fundamentals of marine physics

• Fundamentals of marine chemistry

• Fundamentals of marine geology

Year 2 - DipHE

Modules include:

• Statistics and experimental design

• Marine biology

• Biochemistry and molecular biology

• Marine resources

• Physical oceanography

• Chemical oceanography

• Marine geology

• Advanced maths and programming

Year 3 - BSc

Modules available in third year for students at Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) UHI:

• Fisheries ecology

• Aquaculture

• Marine conservation

• Marine zoology

• Marine microbial ecology

• Marine biotechnology

• Ocean circulation and climate

• Marine biogeochemical cycling

• Marine pollution

• Marine robotics

• Marine instrumentation and data

• Literature review

If you are accepted for an exchange semester or year at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), you can choose from the following modules:

• Arctic biology

• Arctic geology

• Arctic technology

• Arctic geophysics

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Modules include:

• Behaviour and biological clocks

• Defining the marine carbon cycle

• Science communication

• Deep-sea ecosystems

• Marine environmental impact assessment

• Marine modelling

• Coastal and shelf sea dynamics

• Polar seas

You must also complete a dissertation.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed your BSc (Hons) Marine Science course, you might like to consider careers in:

• Environmental assessment

• Environmental management

• Aquaculture or fisheries industries

• Marine conservation

• Marine biotechnology

• Renewable energy sector

• The oil industry

• Environmental tourism

• Environmental education

• Academia/education