Bachelor of Marine Science and ManagementInformation for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

The Bachelor of Marine Science and Management combines marine science with contemporary management concepts to equip graduates with the skill-set sought by employers in this field.

This course develops practical skills in managing a range of tropical and subtropical coastal and marine environments including the Solitary Islands, Cape Byron and great Barrier Reef Marine Parks. First year general science and most second year marine science and fisheries units are based at Lismore campus. Some second year and most third year units are based at the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) in Coffs Harbour. Units taught at the NMSC are normally run as intensive courses with a compulsory six-day on-campus period for all students. In these units, students study specialist topics such as ocean change biology, aquaculture, marine pollution and marine ecosystem management.

Other highlights include units in marine mammal conservation and coral reef ecology. The coral reefs unit integrates the skills taught throughout the course and includes an extended residential period on a Great Barrier Reef island.

The National Marine Science Centre is part of the School of Environment, Science and Engineering. Located at Coffs Harbour on the east Australian seaboard and adjacent to the Solitary Islands Marine Park, the NMSC provides students, academic and professional researchers practical opportunities in the study of marine science and management.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may be employed within the public and private environmental sectors as consultants, marine park planners, marine biologists and ecologists, marine reserve officers, project officers, aquaculturalists, fisheries managers, project officers, technical officers, and state coordinators. Graduates also have opportunities to develop careers as marine researchers by undertaking marine research for Honours and postgraduate research degrees.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

During the course, students will have the option to gain a nationally recognised qualification in scientific scuba diving.

Professional Placement

Students may elect to undertake an eight-week industry internship during their studies for practical experience to supplement the theory components of the course.

Major Areas of Study

This degree combines marine science with contemporary management concepts. The course includes marine mammals and coral reef units with a strong focus on conservation and management issues that challenge the marine environment. Additional specialist marine science units include oceanic systems, marine pollution, survey design, global climate change and marine ecosystem management.

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Marine Science and Management a total of 288 credit points (usually 24 units) must be completed.

This course offers intermediate awards (early exit points) at Diploma and Associate Degree levels.

Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations Lismore students: after completing the first two years in Lismore, all students must attend the intensive teaching periods for units taught at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour.

Distance education students: must attend the compulsory three-to-four-day teaching periods for most units taught at the Lismore campus. They must also attend the compulsory intensive six-day teaching periods for units taught at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour.
Distance Education Session 1
Session 2
Lismore Session 1
Session 2
Coffs Harbour Unavailable
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Unavailable
Course Duration

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities.

Fees and Charges Domestic fees
International fees
Additional fee information
School School of Environment, Science and Engineering
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481
International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
24 BMarSc&Mgt 68/17
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code
Lismore: 334104 Lismore: 054101 Lismore NSW: 058084A
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Teaching Methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes, field trips, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Please note: After completing the first two years in Lismore, all students must attend intensive six-day teaching periods at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour to study specialist marine science units.

Our distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Please note: Students studying by distance education must attend the compulsory three-to-four-day teaching periods for most units taught at the Lismore campus. They must also attend the compulsory intensive six-day teaching periods for units taught at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour.

For more details please contact the School on +61 2 6620 3876 or ese@scu.edu.au

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

Assessments vary for each unit and may comprise a mix of assessment types, including laboratory and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.

Equipment and Facilities

SCU provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

Marine Science students have access to science laboratories across a range of scientific disciplines. The laboratories feature advanced analytical equipment, especially for geochemistry, microscopy and genetic analysis. The University also provides a large collection of general sampling and field equipment including: several boats and 4WD vehicles, fish and animal sampling equipment, sediment samplers, diving equipment and underwater video recorders, geotechnical and geochemical data collection equipment.The National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour has a state-of-the-art flow-through marine aquarium and other research and teaching facilities.

How to Apply

Pre-requisite Year 12 subjects

There are no pre-requisite subjects required for this course.

On-campus Undergraduate applications

To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.

Apply with QTAC

Apply with UAC

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

Online applications for the Bachelor of Marine Science and Management involve four key steps:

  1. Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
  2. Select the exact course you want to apply for
  3. Answer the questions and submit documents
  4. Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Bachelor of Marine Science and Management with Honours
Master of Marine Science and Management
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Bachelor of Forest Science and Management
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Marine Science and Management

Specific Award Rules

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Marine Science and Management a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty four (24) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units; and
    2. at least nine (9) units from Part B of the Schedule, and up to three (3) elective units, which may include units from Part B and C of the Schedule, or other approved units.
  2. A candidate who while enrolled for a Bachelor of Marine Science and Management:
    1. has successfully completed eight (8) units from Part A of the Schedule of Units, with no more than four (4) units awarded as Advanced Standing may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Environmental Science following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor Degree; or
    2. has successfully completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Environmental Science may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Environmental Science following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor Degree.
4.2 Advanced Standing
  1. Candidates who, within three months of:
    1. completing all the requirements for the Associate Degree of Environmental Science elect to enrol for the Bachelor of Marine Science and Management may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units; or
    2. completing all the requirements for the Diploma of Environmental Science, elect to enrol for the Bachelor of Marine Science and Management may be granted advanced standing for eight (8) units.
  2. Candidates who have vocational, employment or other relevant work experience may be granted advanced standing for up to four (4) units provided that the work, units or experience so completed are considered to be equivalent to a unit or units in the Schedule attached to these Rules.

Schedule of Units

* Double-weighted unit

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