Graduate marine biology programs are predominately taught and will provide advanced training in the subject area, where strong emphasis will be given to training in practical techniques. Universities should have a long history of research expertise in most aspects of marine science, allowing marine biology postgraduate students to reflect their own interests as far as possible, through the literature review and research project.

Aims of a graduate Marine Biology program are:

(1)        To elevate recent graduates and those mature students with relevant experience to the level of being independent marine biologists, so that they may successfully follow careers in the public, private and higher education sectors of the UK and abroad, or embark on doctoral research.
(2)        To develop self-learning and knowledge acquisition as the basis for development of advanced level understanding of marine biology.
(3)        To develop inquiring, intellectual expansion and problem solving at advanced level, in the context of marine biology.
(4)        To broaden awareness of the importance of biology to the shelf seas.
(5)        To develop advanced understanding of the scientific method and its application in independent research in the study of marine biology.

MSc Marine Biology taught course philosophy

MSc courses in marine biology are taught, providing advanced training through lectures, seminars, practical courses, desk studies and research projects.  The course may begin with structured lectures and practicals, supported by essay and exercise assignments. Teaching of modules might be provided by small teams of academic staff in their specialist areas, who supervise the course for periods of up to 5 weeks at a time.

What is required of Marine Biology master’s students

Students are required to undertake a significant proportion of independent reading and other study for each module. Reading will be directed to support learning on specific topics, which are assessed by exercises, oral presentations, field and laboratory practical assignments, individual and group reports.  Group work in practical and field classes is an important element of learning, encouraging interaction between students in devising, conducting and presenting outcomes of exercises. Seminars, workshops, conference presentations and research reviews provide the opportunity for oral presentation, audience interaction and critical peer review.

As the course progresses, students are increasingly charged with the responsibility for learning through independent study. With time, the staff role becomes less of a teacher and more of a facilitator and supervisor, which is an integral part of the intellectual and career development of students. The assignments culminate in preparation for the research project, including a detailed literature review in the area of a chosen research project and development of an outline research proposal.

Postgraduate Marine Biology research project

On successful completion of the taught part of the course, an independent research project is conducted under the supervision of a member of staff and findings are presented to publication standards in a dissertation.  The interdisciplinary nature of the course allows students from different natural science subject areas, and a wide range of UK and overseas backgrounds, to broaden their knowledge by amalgamating different topics within a the broad framework of marine biology.  By these means, the courses attempts to elevate those students from recent undergraduate courses and those mature students with relevant experience, to the level of the independent marine biologist.

Programmes covered during graduate Marine Biology programs:

• Marine Research Skills - Marine taxonomy and Biodiversity; Experimental and survey designs; Marine benthic survey; Key statistical techniques
• Marine Vertebrates
• Coastal Ecology and Habitat Survey - Principles of biological survey; Coastal habitats; Survey methodology
• Marine Fisheries - Fisheries resources and their assessment; Fish population dynamics 
• Marine Invertebrates
• Research Design and Planning - Literature Review; Project Proposal; Proposal Defence
• Research Project and Dissertation

Marine Biology MSc courses therefore equip students with:

• Multidisciplinary Training
• Practical Training within Disciplines
• Field Skills Training
• Research Training
• Communication Skills and Interpersonal Skills Training
• Quantitative Skills Training
• Vocational Skills Training.

Admissions onto MSc  Marine Biology courses

Successful applicants normally hold, or are expecting to be awarded with, a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a Natural Science or related subject. Non-graduates who are over 25 years in age and have at least two years work experience relevant to the course are also encouraged to apply. 

With thanks to:

Sandie Hague, MSc. Courses Administrator

School of Ocean Sciences
College of Natural Sciences
Bangor University