Examine the intricate relationship between climate, coastal systems and marine environments to solve complex challenges facing our oceans.
Dive into the scientific study of coastal processes, oceanography, ecology, marine geology and marine conservation.
Develop laboratory skills, analyse big data, and use remote sensing spatial data from satellites and drones.
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 Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
Enhance your employability by studying a complementary field, including ecology and conversation biology, earth science, genetics, microbiology, science communication, zoology or computational science.
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
- Sustainability adviser
- Conservation researcher
- Environment adviser
- Fisheries officer
Average annual salary range
Environmental Scientist
seek.com.au
Average annual salary range
Sustainability Officer
seek.com.au
Next steps after graduation
In Australia, marine-based industries are worth more than $68 billion annually (AIMS Index of Marine Industry, 2023).
Demand for highly skilled coastal and marine scientists is on the rise. You’ll find opportunities in various fields including:
- coastal management
- engineering and consulting
- environmental sciences
- fisheries and aquaculture
- food technology
- government departments
- marine parks and ecotourism
- marine resource development
- marine science research institutes
- museums
- oil and gas production
- pharmacology
- education
- wildlife conservation.
I chose the Bachelor of Science for its flexibility — it really felt like a degree I could tailor to my interests, instead of shaping myself around my degree!
I chose the Bachelor of Science for its flexibility — it really felt like a degree I could tailor to my interests, instead of shaping myself around my degree!
Events
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15 December
Postgraduate educational studies information webinar
9 June
Master of Physiotherapy information webinar
Stories
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Uni life
What's it really like to study science at UQ?
9-minute read
Careers
What jobs can you do with a Bachelor of Science?
7-minute read
UQ people
Marine conservation: how do we turn the tide?
3-minute read
Stories
See all storiesUni life
What's it really like to study science at UQ?
9-minute read
Careers
What jobs can you do with a Bachelor of Science?
7-minute read
UQ people
Marine conservation: how do we turn the tide?
3-minute read
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
- Physical-Biological Oceanography
- Living Oceans
- Planet Earth: The Big Picture
Keep up to date
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