Marine Biology with Oceanography: University of Southampton

Course Description

The degree of Marine Biology and Oceanography gives you knowledge and key skills in understanding the biology of marine organisms particularly in relation to their ambient environment.

During the programme you will learn about biodiversity in marine plants and animals including invertebrates and fish, how marine organisms function internally (including respiratory and reproductive physiology) and how they form part of the functioning ecosystem that is the ocean. You will learn how to measure primary and secondary production and how energy is transferred in the food web. In addition you will study the increasingly important role of marine organisms in the global biogeochemical cycles especially in relation to the carbon cycle.

In parallel, you will be taught the physico-chemical properties of the marine environment by gaining knowledge in the movement of water as tides, waves and currents, how the chemicals in the sea affect marine organisms and how the seabed is structured and forms a substratum for different groups of animals and plants. Knowledge of the different marine ecosystems is integrated by studying specific marine environments including intertidal and coastal areas, the upper pelagic ecosystem and regions of upwelling, the deep sea, hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. The commercial exploitation of living marine resources is addressed by studying fisheries and aquaculture and the increasing importance of climate change on the marine environment is addressed. The whole programme stresses environmental protection and sustainability of marine ecosystems.

The programme is taught through the medium of formal lectures and practicals and you will attend separate marine biology and oceanography field courses. During the third year, in addition to taught modules, you undertake an independent research programme and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS) offers unparalleled facilities for this aspect of learning.

Course content

• Marine plants and invertebrates
• Marine ecology
• Physical and chemical oceanography
• Marine vertebrates
• Primary production processes
• Benthic ecology
• Intertidal field course
• Ecophysiology
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Zooplankton ecology
• Marine molecular biology

Entry requirements

• A levels: BBB (to include Biology (Grade B), and one other science/maths A-level)
• IB: 30 points, 16 at higher level
• Intake: 50
• Average applicants per place: 6

Main University Contact

• Postal Address: University of Southampton
  University Road
  Southampton
  SO17 1BJ
• Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 5000
• Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 3131
• Email: admissns@soton.ac.uk
• Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk/