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Major

Coastal and Ocean Science

Bachelors of Commerce / Science

Examine the intricate relationship between climate, coastal systems and marine environments to solve complex challenges facing our oceans.

In this major, you'll dive into the scientific study of coastal processes, oceanography, ecology, marine geology and marine conservation. 

You’ll learn to apply a wide range of evidence-based environmental and conservation strategies to protect vital coastal habitats and marine ecosystems across the globe.

Guided by Australia’s leading marine researchers, you’ll gain extensive fieldwork experience at UQ’s Heron Island Research Station on the southern Great Barrier Reef and UQ’s Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island.

Enhance your employability by combining your speciality with a minor in a broad range of complementary fields, including ecology and conversation biology, earth science, genetics, microbiology or computational science.

Demand for highly skilled coastal and marine scientists is on the rise. You’ll find opportunities in various fields including:

  • teaching and universities
  • fisheries laboratories
  • environmental consultancies 
  • marine parks
  • coastal management
  • government departments.

Highlights

Career possibilities

Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Marine environmental consultant
  • Fisheries research scientist
  • Marine biologist
  • Marine research officer
  • Marine ecosystems researcher
  • Conservation officer
  • Conservation researcher

Graduate salary

Science and mathematics (undergraduate)

$40K–$85K

compared.edu.au

This Major is available as:

  • Major
  • Extended Major

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Research experience
  • Laboratory work
  • Fieldwork

What you'll study

At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:

  • Marine & Coastal Environmental Protection
  • Marine Ecology and Conservation
  • Coastal Processes & Management
  • Planet Earth: The Big Picture
  • Marine Science
  • Living Oceans

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