Marine Biology is available as a minor and major.

Program requirements

The program requirements (course list and program rules (PDF, 146KB)) set out the courses and rules you must follow to successfully complete this program.

You must also comply with UQ’s University Policies and Procedures.

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

What do the different requirements mean?

  • Core - all students must complete this course
  • Prerequisite for major - a course required for progression in this major
  • Major compulsory - a course required for this major
  • Major elective - required for the major, chosen from specific selection of courses
  • Recommended - a course which complements the major, but can be substituted for an elective

Students commencing in Semester 2

The study planners provided outline the order of courses to be completed from semester 1 to semester 2. The planners identify semester offerings and in many instances, will be the same for students commencing the program from semester 2. You should check the course offerings to ensure that you are completing the courses in a way that ensures your progression in the program.

If the course sequencing in the planner does not work for you, please contact the School or book an appointment with an academic advisor to obtain individual advice. 

Year 1

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
BSc core courses - complete 4 units

SCIE10001   Theory & Practice in Science

STAT12011 Analysis of Scientific Data OR 

STAT1301 Advanced Analysis of Scientific Data ]

Prerequisite courses for major - complete 4 units
BIOL1030 Global Challenges in Biology BIOL10202   Genes, Cells & Evolution
Compulsory course for major - complete 2 units
Refer to Semester 2 for compulsory course for major. MARS1001   Living Oceans
Elective courses - choose 6 units

4 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

2 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 
  2. Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Year 2

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
Compulsory courses for major - complete 4 units
BIOL2006 Biostatistics & Experimental Design Compulsory courses for major available in Semester 1 only.
MARS20011 Practical Marine Science  
Elective course for major - choose 2 units
BIOL2010 Ecology BIOL2204 Zoology
Elective courses - choose 10 units

Program elective or general elective2

Refer to BSc course list for course selection. 

Program elective or general elective2

Refer to BSc course list for course selection. 

Additional Information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1 from 2022. 
  2. Number of electives in each semester is dependent on course selection for Level 2 elective course for major. Students must complete 8 units per semester. 

Year 3

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
Elective course for major - choose 8 units
BIOL3209 Biodiversity & Systematics BIOL3023 Tropical Marine Ecosystems
BIOL3211 Ecology & Evolution of Marine Invertebrates BIOL3215 Marine Ecology & Conservation
BIOL3340 Fish, Fisheries & Aquaculture BIOL3320 Vertebrate Diversity & Evolution
BIOL3360 Analysis & Communication of Biological Data Research Project1
BIOL3207 Animal Behaviour  
Elective courses - choose 8 units

program elective or general elective4

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

program elective or general elective4

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Students can complete maximum 2 units towards major from Research Project courses: SCIE3240or SCIE32413.
  2. Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.
  3. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 
  4. Number of electives in each semester is dependent on course selection for Level 3 elective courses for major. Students must complete 8 units per semester.