phd australia marine biology

47 marine-science-phd positions in Australia

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Postdoctoral Researcher in Marine Corrosion and Biofouling

microbiology techniques, or the demonstrated ability to acquire this expertise in the short-term Qualifications A PhD in a relevant area of metallurgy, corrosion, chemical engineering, chemistry , marine science

Research Associate in Heatwaves in a Changing Climate

? Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor.­ What we’re looking for: A PhD or equivalent in fluid dynamics, physical oceanography, atmospheric science , applied mathematics or an equivalent field

Research Associate ( Marine Biologist)

PhD students. The School is research-intensive with expertise in the disciplines of Computational Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience and Science Communication. About the

Research Associate

well established collaborations with industry and state and federal government agencies. The School has been recognised internationally, with Earth and Marine Science ranked 37th in the 2021 QS World

Earth and Marine Science ranked 37th in the 2021 QS World University subject rankings and Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ratings above to well above world standard across the Earth Sciences

2024 HDR Scholarship - Marine heat waves off Western Australia and their impacts on marine ecosystems

of the seafloor on heat deposition and the corresponding heating of the water column. This work will be in collaboration with physical oceanographers at UWA. Student type Future Students Faculty Faculty of Science

Postdoctoral Fellow - Oceanography

and Environmental Sciences with close collaborations with the School of Maths and Statistics. UNSW has notable strengths in Oceanography, Marine Science , Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Data Science , and

SmartSat CRC and SA Water PhD Scholarship - Advancing the monitoring of seagrass dynamics with hyperspectral remote sensing

refuge for fish and other marine species, sediment stabilization, and carbon sequestration. They represent the most extensive coastal blue carbon sink in southern Australia. Seagrasses currently occupy

Research Fellow in Bioinformatics

internationally recognised for its strong teaching programmes in the natural sciences and biology and has an enviable research track record.  The School has broad expertise across marine biology, ecology

Postdoctoral Researchers in Plant Biology

Sciences is internationally recognised for its strong teaching programmes in the natural sciences and biology and has an enviable research track record.  The School has broad expertise across marine biology

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Marine biology.

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Major overview

Available in these courses

Marine biology is much more than just swimming with dolphins – it is the key to understanding and responding to important issues facing our planet, like global warming and the impact of tourism and pollution on our oceans.

You’ll become an expert in marine biological systems, and in the application of ecological principles and environmental management strategies.

You’ll also develop a breadth of knowledge across many disciplines, from biological sciences such as botany and zoology to the physical sciences of chemistry, geography and oceanography.

You may then decide to explore careers in commercial aquaculture, environmental monitoring, research or tourism (and yes, that may include swimming with dolphins).

Related study areas

• Biological sciences
• Earth and environmental sciences
• Environment

Marine biology and ocean science

• Study areas

Marine biologists and ocean scientists use contemporary tools and technology to study the different processes that shape our marine environments and the spectacular diversity of marine organisms within them.

Our experts investigate phenomena from local to global scales, from microscopic phytoplankton to cetacean megafauna to coral reef ecology. They also study the physics of ocean currents and the chemical and biological influences on the carbon cycle and their influence on climate change.

Learning from our experts, you’ll gain a range of technical skills, including water-quality sampling, using marine technology, remote sensing skills, spatial skills, big data analyses, marine organism identification, and more.

You’ll explore marine and coastal environmental protection, physical and biological oceanography, sedimentology, coral reef ecology and conservation, marine geoscience, environmental geochemistry, coastal and catchment processes, ecology and evolution of marine invertebrates, fisheries and aquaculture.

UQ marine biology and ocean science graduates work in varied fields as marine park managers, technicians in fisheries or aquaculture, ecological consultants, oceanographers, marine conservationists, science communicators, and more.

Why choose marine biology and ocean science at UQ? 

You’ll learn alongside award-winning researchers and teaching specialists who are world leaders in their fields and many of whom are part of the Centre for Marine Science .

You’ll develop critical and creative thinking skills, and apply the communication and quantitative toolkit you’ll need for your future career.

You’ll also gain hands-on experiences through workshops, practicals and excursions, or field trips to some of Australia’s most pristine ecosystems and research stations, including Moreton Bay Research Station on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef.

Choose your program

Browse our programs within this study area.

For answers to frequently asked questions, and information about program structures, applications, fees and student life, visit  Study at UQ .

• Undergraduate and honours
• Postgraduate coursework
• Higher degree by research
• Coastal and Ocean Science minor
• Marine Biology minor
• Bachelor of Environmental Science
• Coastal and Ocean Science major
• Marine Biology major
• Coastal and Ocean Science field of study
• Marine Biology field of study
• Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology
• Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management
• Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management
• Master of Conservation Biology
• Master of Conservation Science
• Master of Environmental Management
• Master of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy

• Twitter (X)

Postgraduate

The CMSI offers plenty of opportunities for postgraduate training and research.

We operate as a research centre within the  School of BEES . Information regarding study options in the school can be found at the  School of BEES website.

How to apply

• Contact potential supervisors  directly to discuss projects in the  major research areas .
• You can enrol and apply for scholarships using information on the  UNSW BEES website .

Master of Marine Science and Management

We also offer a Master of Marine Science and Management

Current projects

Gene thieves: how a nudibranch incorporates the stinging cells of the Bluebottle jellyfish

This project is appropriate for both honours/master (1 year) and PhD students (3.5 years).

Oyster reef restoration in a changing ocean

Oyster reefs, once abundant along the east Australian coastline and an important source of food and trade for Indigenous Australians, are now functionally extinct (<1% remaining) because of years of over harvesting, habitat modification, pollution, sedimentation and disease.

Effects of below-ground microbes and plant genetics on seagrass performance

We are looking for highly motivated PhD students to join an international research team on a recently funded ARC Discovery project. The project will focus on understanding the role of seagrass microbes and genetics in mediating seagrass response to environmental stress.

Scientia PhD Scholarship: Atmospheric transport of microplastics and deposition on the South Pacific

Microplastics have been identified in remote locations far from urban centres, including Antarctica, the Mariana Trench and the Great Australian Bight

Scientia PhD Scholarship: Clothes, fibres and filters that reduce microplastic pollution

Clothing fibres are the most abundant form of plastic found in the ecosystem. This global pollution has increased by 450% in 60 years.

Scientia PhD Scholarship: In the spotlight: impacts of artificial light at night on the coastal environmental

The world’s coastlines are becoming rapidly urbanised, with marine life affected by a range of stressors.

Scientia PhD Scholarship: Mapping marine debris risk around Australia

Marine debris is a global environmental concern.

Scientia PhD Scholarship: Novel microbial processes that support life in the deep ocean

The deep, dark ocean is inhospitable, but oases of life are sporadically found in reefs made out of corals and sponges.

Marine urban ecology

Human activities have degraded extensive areas of coastal habitats.  Abiotic and biotic stressors (e.g. temperature, artificial light, invasive species and noise) may interact to produce combined impacts on biodiversity, physiological responses (e.g. reproduction and growth) and ecosystem functioning.

In the spotlight: Impacts of artificial light at night on the marine environment

Probiotics for the ocean- how microbes can improve the health and performance of macroalgae

The aim of this project is to define and develop bacterial consortia that have beneficial effects on growth, health and environmental adaptation.

Deciphering the mechanism of microbial disease progression in marine macroalgae

It is proposed that with increases in anthropogenic stressors of coastal systems (pollution/ climate change) there comes an increase in the prevalence of disease caused by opportunistic pathogens. 

Friend and/or foe: the role of fungi in health and disease emergence in marine ecosystems.

Disease events are increasingly impacting critical marine habitats.

Elucidating the diversity and function of microbial communities associated with important aquaculture species

In this project, we worked closely with scientists at the NSW DPI Port Stephens Fisheries Institute (PSFI) to understand the importance of gut health.

The role of below-ground microbes in mediating seagrass response to climate change

Fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated PhD student to join an international research project focused on understanding the largely unexplored role of seagrass microbes in mediating the effects of extreme climatic events.

Facts & figures

• 135+ years of marine science experience
• 3rd in Australia for physical sciences (THE subject rankings 2022)

Marine Studies Institute

Australia has a vast marine jurisdiction with unique ocean and coastal ecosystems, many of which are poorly understood.

The accelerating changes in the climate, combined with land use practices, marine litter, fishing, shoreline industries and new risks, such as increasing ocean noise and potential deep-sea mining are presenting Australia and the global community with unprecedented challenges.

We are working to understand these challenges and expand the scientific, technical and legal know how to solve problems like biodiversity loss and food insecurity through a combination of cutting-edge research, education and leadership training.  

One Tree Island Research Station

Research into the history of the Great Barrier Reef at the University of Sydney research station at One Tree Island is helping us understand how it will cope with anthropogenic climate change. Researcher Associate Professor Jody Webster is leading a team of scientists in the School of Geosciences unlock the secrets of the reef by analysing historic cores of corals drilled from the reef.

Understanding beaches in estuaries and bays

Our expert:  Associate Professor Ana Vila-Concejo

Our partner:  NSW State Government

Sandy beaches in estuaries and bayes (BEBs) front and protect many coastal properties and infrastructures in the world. Many major cities have been built around estuaries.

One example is Sydney, where three estuaries are the core of some of the most densely populated and developed parts of the city: Botany Bay, Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), and The Pittwater (Broken Bay).

The nature of estuarine beaches and their critical functions vary with distance from the mouth of the estuary, which is the source of wave and tidal energy, as well as often the dominant source of sand. Little research has been done in this field.

The management of sandy beaches is underpinned by morphodynamic classification models that were developed for “high energy” sandy beaches – beaches exposed to the full force of ocean swell (open ocean beaches). These models provide the framework for predicting beach response, for example to coastal engineering intervention, or to changes in wave energy and sea level.

Results from few published studies suggest that the wave energy gradient inside estuaries is the major control on the morphodynamics of sandy estuarine beaches. And that further research focused around this gradient is necessary to establish a final classification model for estuarine beaches that can inform management directed at sustaining beneficial roles of these beaches as storm buffers, recreational facilities, wildlife habitat, and protection of critical coastal wetlands.

We're investigating BEBs morphodynamics, evolution, and response to climate change as part of an expanding international consortium studying BEBs in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, USA and Spain.

We have multiple projects in different BEBs and are undertaking:

• beach surveying using state-of-the-art techniques such as RTK or drones
• beach bathymetry using kayaks fitted with echosounders and RTKs
• sediment analyses and sediment transport studies
• hydrodynamic measurements waves and currents
• decadal and seasonal studies using GIS

Coral reef morphodynamics

Our experts:  Professor  Maria Byrne , Associate Professor  Ana Vila-Concejo , Dr Thomas Fellowes , Dr Tristan Salles

Coral reefs around the world are irreversibly transforming due to unprecedented rapid environmental change. Recent mass bleaching events have shown the impact of climate change driven marine heatwaves for coral reef health and the demise of reef structure.

Because returning coral reefs to their past healthy state is no longer an option, there is a pressing need to understand, quantify and model the impact of new environmental conditions on coral reefs. Coral reefs (and reef islands) are not inert features that will simply get destroyed or flooded with climate change.

While there is research that predicts a future of flooding and inhabitability for reef islands, other studies show that reef islands can even grow under climate change and advocate for more detailed eco-morphodynamic modelling.

This is of important for Australia as we are the custodians of some of the largest and most important coral reef regions on Earth – the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and the Coral Sea. Many reef islands in these regions are threatened by climate change and are internationally important as the legal ‘baseline’ from which Australia’s maritime zones are drawn.

Recent years have shown the vulnerability of the corals (and coral islands) is widespread with episodes of bleaching, ocean acidification, sediment plumes, cyclones, and, threatening species such as crown of thorns starfish.

With climate change, reefs face accelerated changes that will affect ecosystem services such as coastal protection. The health of coral reefs and sediment producing organisms will be less impacted by incremental global warming and acidification than by increasingly frequent marine heatwaves and storms.

There are key knowledge gaps in quantifying carbonate sediment budgets and productivity, wave dissipation and sediment transport, and reef and island resilience. This needs to be addressed using multidisciplinary approach using field data, remote sensing and numerical modelling.

We aim to understand coral reef morphodynamics, wave dissipation and sediment transport by examining:

• decadal studies using GIS
• surveying using state-of-the-art techniques, RTK and drones
• hydrodynamic measurements (waves and currents)
• numerical models of wave dissipation on coral reefs

Unravelling a trace element fingerprint for low-temperature dolomite formation in the Great Australian Bight

Our expert:  Dr Bree Morgan

Formation of dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2], a highly-stable carbonate mineral, has been central to maintaining the stability of Earth’s global climate over geologic timescales.

There's a disproportionate paucity of dolomite in modern times comparative to its widespread abundance in the deep past, referred to as the ‘Dolomite Problem’, one of the longest standing unresolved mysteries in the natural sciences.

The overarching objective of this project is to decipher a trace element signature for the formation of low temperature dolomite, with the goal of gaining wider insight into the mysterious mechanisms promoting dolomite formation in modern and ancient sediments.

The target samples are dolomite-containing, Pleistocene-aged sediments collected from a mesohaline seep (Leg 182) in the Great Australian Bight.

We will complete a detailed assessment of (i) bulk Mg, Ca and trace element (Mn, Sr, Re, As, Sb, Ba, Cd, Mo, Ni, Cu, Zn, V, Cr, Co, U, Y & REE) concentrations in samples by ICP-MS analysis of selective digests, (ii) μ-scale distribution of trace elements in sediments by μ-XRF and LA-ICP-MS analysis of sample thin sections, and (iii) high resolution crystallographic information (quantitative mineral abundances, d104 peak position values of dolomite, crystallite size, and morphology) using XRD, SEM and TEM.

Our findings intend to complement current funded research into the trace element signatures of rare Holocene dolomite, forming in saline playa lake sediments in South Australia and British Columbia.

Events and further research

Collaborate with us, find a supervisor, co-director, useful links.

• MSI research website
• Women’s Marine Network

Institute University of Sydney Marine Studies

• +61 2 9036 9245
• +61 2 9351 3000 (Director)
• [email protected]
• Room 308, Eastern Ave Madsen F09

Latest news

How plate tectonics has maintained earth's 'goldilocks' climate, the strange mechanics of pregnancy in one australian shark, endangered delicacy: tropical sea cucumbers in trouble.

Researchers are calling for better protection of tropical sea cucumbers in the Great Barrier Reef whose numbers are dwindling due to persistent and increasing overharvesting.

Lone changer: fish camouflage better without friends nearby

Male seahorses develop placentas to support their growing babies.

• Marine programs and courses

UQ’s marine science programs are renowned for their hands-on experiences, focus on persistent environmental challenges, and relevance to the bioeconomy and its current and emerging industries.

You’ll gain field experience during your stay at UQ’s  marine stations on the Great Barrier Reef and in the subtropical Coral Sea, and hone your practical and technical skills in advanced laboratories on campus at UQ St Lucia.

You’ll learn from one of the largest groups of marine researchers in Australia, and many members of the Centre for Marine Science are world experts in their fields.

Our research leaders have expertise across a range of disciplines, including marine biology, coastal and ocean systems, ecology and conservation, geography and geology, biotechnology, global change science, engineering, business and law.

Choose your program

Undergraduate.

Gain the latest knowledge and crucial practical and field experience with a marine-focused major within the three-year UQ Bachelor of Science:

• Coastal and Ocean Science
• Marine Biology .

You can take these as a single major, together as a comprehensive marine science double major, or with another science or humanities major or minor. Coastal and Ocean Science is also available as an extended major.

You can also study marine biology within the:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours)   (1 year)
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) (4 years)

Postgraduate coursework

Upskill and develop your career path with the latest knowledge and approaches in conservation, environmental science and environmental management.

UQ’s intensive postgraduate coursework programs cover both marine and terrestrial systems.

• Master of Conservation Biology
• Master of Conservation Science
• Master of Environmental Management
• Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management
• Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management
• Master of Quantitative Biology

Higher degree by research

With close to 100 research groups and 400 PhD candidates and master’s research students, UQ is renowned for its marine research worldwide.

Contact one of our research group leaders to enquire about a topic and availability, or visit our research themes pages to see the breadth of our research disciplines.

• Doctor of Philosophy  (PhD)
• Master of Philosophy  (MPhil)

International partner programs

Students from selected international partner institutions can spend a semester studying marine and terrestrial ecosystems on one of UQ’s  international partner programs . 

If eligible, you’ll study with us for a semester that is based around blended fieldwork, laboratory skills and research.

The programs provide a comprehensive overview of biology, ecology and culture in the Australian and Pacific context.

Study locations include UQ’s marine stations on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea, Fraser Island, Far North Queensland and Solomon Islands.

• Field experiences
• Scholarships

Photo: Lisa Kurtz

Watch our video

Interested in marine biology?  Meet Dr Mel Cowlishaw, she took the UQ Marine Biology major (YouTube, 1m:38s).

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Quick links

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• Research & activities
• National Marine Mammal Data Portal
• National Disentanglement Network
• Dr Elanor Bell
• Dr Brian Miller
• Research community

Dr Elanor M. Bell, BSc (Hons), PhD

I am a microbial ecologist by training but have turned my hand from whale food to the whales themselves. The connection is my love of extreme environments, in particular the poles, and conservation.

I began my scientific career with a degree in Environmental Biology from St. Andrews University, Scotland. I went on to do doctoral research at the Nottingham University, UK, but spent much of the time wintering at the Australian Davis Station in eastern Antarctica studying the microbial food webs in the saline lakes of the Vestfold Hills. Following this, I took a break from microbes to study seahorses in warmer climes during a conservation-oriented post-doctoral position at McGill University, Canada. It was this posting that inspired me to apply my research to conservation-oriented questions.

From Canada I moved to the University of Potsdam, Germany, and remained there for 6 years on various postdoctoral fellowships, studying the microbial ecology of a suite of extreme environments from extremely acidic lakes, through Arctic and Antarctic freshwater systems, to Antarctic marine benthos, water columns and sea ice. During this time I spent a second winter in the Antarctic and a season in the Canadian High Arctic investigating the survival strategies that microbes employ at extremes.

In 2007, I became a lecturer at the Scottish Association for Marine Science /University of the Highlands and Islands in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland. I continued my microbial research, specifically viruses and bacteria, and undertook more fieldwork in both the Antarctic and Arctic. I led a course on Marine Conservation and also taught elements of Microbial Ecology, Polar Seas, Marine Resources, Marine Zoology and Defining the Carbon Cycle.

I started work at the Australian Marine Mammal Centre in early 2012. I now combine my passion for conservation and the polar marine environment with experience of coordinating multi-national research projects in my role of Southern Ocean Research Partnership Coordinator.

Selected publications

van den Hoff, J. & Bell, E.M. The ciliate Mesodinium rubrum and its cryptophyte prey in Antarctic aquatic environments. Polar Biology , 38(8): 1305-1310, DOI 10.1007/s00300-015-1686-z.

Laybourn-Parry, J. & Bell, E.M. (2014) Ace Lake: three decades of research on a meromictic, Antarctic lake. Polar Biology, DOI 10.1007/s00300-014-1553-3 .

Cathalot C., Lansard B., Hall P.O.J., Tengberg A., Almroth-Rosell E., Apler A., Calder L., Bell E. & C. Rabouille (2012). Influence of a fish farm on oxygen sediment uptake rates in the Loch Creran (Scotland). Aquatic Geochemistry, 18 (6): 515-541, DOI: 10.1007/s10498-012-9181-4 .

Bielewicz, S. , Bell, E. , Kong, W., Iddo, F., Priscu, J.C., & Morgan-Kiss, R.M. 2010. Distribution of micro-eukaryotes during the transition to polar night in a permanently ice-covered Antarctic lake. ISME, DOI:10.1038/ismej.2011.23.

Bell, E.M. & Weithoff, G. 2008. Spring and early summer recruitment of Heliozoa, rhizopods and rotifers from the sediments of an acidic lake. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management , 13: 105-115.

Soltwedel, T., Lansard, B., Gilbert, F., Hasemann, C., Bell, E. , Sablotny, B., Eagle, M., Kershaw, P., Rabouille, C., 2008. An "Integrated Sediment Disturber" (ISD) to study the impact of repeated physical perturbations on the sediment geochemistry and related effects on the small benthic biota. Limnology and Oceanography Methods, 6: 307-318.

Bell, E ., Apitz, S.E., Breuer, E. et al . 2008. Integrating New Technologies for the Study of Benthic Ecosystems Response to Human Activity: Towards a Coastal Ocean Benthic Observatory (COBO). Proceedings of the Italian Association of Oceanology and Limnology, 19, Part 1: 73-78.

Park, T-G., Bell, E.M ., Pearce, I., Rublee, P.A., Bolch, C.J.S., Hallegraeff, G.M. 2007. Detection of a novel ecotype of Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophyceae) in an Antarctic saline lake by real time PCR. Polar Biology , 30: 843-848.

Pearce, I., Davidson, A.T., Bell, E.M ., Wright, S. 2007. Seasonal changes in the concentration and metabolic activity of bacteria and viruses at an Antarctic coastal site. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 47: 11-23.

Bell, E.M ., Weithoff, G. & Gaedke, U. 2006. Seasonal dynamics and growth of Actinophrys sol (Sarcodina: Heliozoa), the top predator in an extremely acidic lake. Freshwater Biology , 51: 1149-1161.

Schmidtke, A., Bell, E.M. & Weithoff, G. 2006. Grazing impact of the mixotrophic flagellate Ochromonas sp. (Chrysophyceae) on bacteria. Journal of Plankton Research, 98: 991-1001.

Apitz, S.E., Bell, E.M. , Damgaard, L., Gilbert, F., Glud, R.N. , Hall, P.O.J., Kershaw, P.J., Nickell, L.A., Parker, R., Rabouille, C., Shimmield, G.B., Solan, M., Soltwedel, T., Spagnoli, F. & Witte, U. itemIDitemID1452E2005. Coastal Ocean Benthic Observatories (COBO): Integrated tools for the in situ observation and study of benthic ecosystem biogeochemical processes. Abstracts Of Papers Of The American Chemical Society. 230 :1791-1792.

Kamjunke, N., Gaedke, U., Tittel, J., Weithoff, G. & Bell, E.M . 2004. Strong vertical differences in the plankton composition of an extremely acidic lake. Archiv für Hydrobiologie , 161: 289-306.

Bell, E.M. & Laybourn-Parry, J. 2003. Mixotrophy in the Antarctic phytoflagellate, Pyramimonas gelidicola . Journal of Phycology, 39 : 644-649.

Bell, E.M ., Lockyear, J.F., Schulz, J., Marsden, A.D. & Vincent, A.C.J. 2003. First field studies of an endangered South African seahorse, Hippocampus capensis . Environmental Biology of Fishes , 67 : 35-46.

Bell, E.M. & Weithoff, G. 2003. The role of microbial recruitment in benthic-pelagic coupling. Journal of Marine Biology and Ecology 285/286: 205-219.

Raffaelli, D., Bell, E.M. et al . 2003. Dealing with the ups and downs of benthic ecology. Journal of Marine Biology and Ecology 285/286: 191-203.

Tittel, J., Bissinger, V., Zippel, B., Gaedke, U., Bell, E.M. , Lorke, A. & Kamjunke, N. 2003. Mixotrophs combine resource use to out-compete specialists: implications for aquatic food webs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , U.S.A. , 100 : 12776-12781.

Bell, E.M. and Vincent, A.C.J. 2000. Gasterosteiforms. Encyclopaedia Britannica .

Laybourn-Parry, J., Roberts, E.C. & Bell, E.M. 2000. Mixotrophy as a survival strategy in Antarctic lakes. In: W. Davidson, C. Howard-Williams & P. Broady (eds.) Antarctic Ecosystems: Models for Wider Ecological Understanding , The Caxton Press, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp. 33-40.

Bell, E.M. & Laybourn-Parry, J. 1999. Annual plankton dynamics in an Antarctic saline lake. Freshwater Biology , 41 : 507-519.

Bell, E.M. & Laybourn-Parry, J. 1999. The plankton community of a young, eutrophic, Antarctic saline lake. Polar Biology , 22 : 248-253.

Laybourn-Parry, J., Bell, E.M . & Roberts, E.C. 1999. Growth of Protozoa in Antarctic lakes. Polar Biology , 23 : 443-451.

Maranzana, G., Bell, E. , Bozo, S. & Talarico, L. 1996. Response of the red alga Audouinella saviana (meneghini) woelkerling to cadmium: Preliminary observations. Giornale Botanico Italiano , 130 (4-6): 76-79.

Bell, E.M . (Ed.) 2012. Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 554.

Book chapters

Narayanaswamy, B.E., Menot, L., Rowden, A., Lamont, P., Bett, B.J. & Bell, E. 2015, In Press . Corers and grabs. In: Clark, M., Consalvey, M. & Rowden, A. (Eds). Biological Sampling in the Deep-Sea. Wiley-Blackwell, pp.488.

Bell, E.M. 2012. Alkaline environments and alkaliphiles. In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 380-401.

Bell, E.M. 2012. Concluding remarks. In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 537-540.

Bell, E.M. & Callaghan, T.V. 2012. What are extreme environments and what lives in them? In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 1-12.

Bell, E.M. & Heuer, V. 2012. The Deep Biosphere: deep subterranean and subseafloor habitats. In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 345-363.

Laybourn-Parry, J. & Bell, E.M. 2012. High altitude and latitude lakes. In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 103-121.

Arora, R. & Bell, E.M . 2012. Biotechnological Applications of Extremophiles: Promise and Prospects. In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 498-521.

Gómez, F.G., Barták, M. & Bell, E.M. 2012. Extreme environments on Earth as analogues for life on other planets: Astrobiology. In: Bell, E.M. (Ed.) Life at Extremes: Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp. 522-536.

Commissioned reports

Department of the Environment. 2013. Coordinated research framework to assess the national conservation status of Australian snubfin dolphins ( Orcaella heinsohni ) and other tropical inshore dolphins. pp. 25.

Bell, E. , Brennan, R., Nickell, T., Potts, T., Valcic, B. & Wilson, H. 2010. Making the case for sound management of Marine Protected Areas. Commissioned report for Scottish Environment LINK. Scottish Association for Marine Science Internal Report 267. pp. 93.

IWC reports

Bell, E.M. (2014) Annual report of Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP) 2013/14. Submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. SC/65b/SH12.

Bell, E.M. (2013) Annual report of Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP) 2012/13. Submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. SC/65a/O11.

Bell, E.M. (2012) Annual report of Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP) 2011/12. Submitted to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. SC/64/O13.

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Marine Biology

Turn your passion for the ocean into a fulfilling career by exploring its depths, and how to preserve them, with a major in Marine Biology. 

What type of student are you?

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident , a New Zealand citizen or hold a permanent Australian humanitarian visa.

You're an international student if you hold or are applying for a Student, Diplomatic, Bridging, Temporary or Provisional Resident visa, or are a permanent resident of New Zealand.

It is estimated that up to 80% of all life on earth exists in the ocean – it could be even more considering less than 10% of the ocean has been explored by humans.

Forget swimming with dolphins and looking at coral – although there’s every chance you’ll get to do that at some point in your degree – a major in Marine Biology will ensure you develop a detailed understanding of the marine biota and ecological processes of marine environments. Gain an appreciation of the diversity of marine life, the interactions between species and biota, and the physical environment.

With a strong emphasis on fundamental biological principles and how these underpin successful marine conservation and management, you’ll cover topics including marine botany, fish biology, marine wildlife populations, marine ecology, aquaculture and human impacts and management, supported by extensive field work and practical learning. 

 3   reasons to study Marine Biology at Murdoch

• Participate in field research camps, including to Point Peron or Coral Bay.
• Become job-ready with every unit you study comprising laboratory sessions or fieldwork.
• Put theory into context on local and global scales with real-life examples and a holistic approach to learning.

What you'll learn

Learn in industry-standard laboratories, equipped with world-class research instruments where you’ll build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:

• The diversity of marine life and the ecological processes of marine environments
• Adaptations of marine life to the physical environment, and their responses to climate change
• Animal diversity, marine botany, marine ecology, oceanography, aquaculture, fish and wildlife populations

Your career

You’ll be qualified to work as a scientist in a range of marine-based professions, including marine environmental management, marine industries, marine biodiversity conservation, marine-based tourism and marine ecology. Career options could include:

• Coastal Manager
• Fisheries Officer
• Marine Environmental Consultant
• Biological Oceanographer
• Marine Park Ranger
• Aquatic Ecologist
• Aquaculturist
• Marine Policy and Planning Officer
• Marine Biologist in marine-based tourism

Study areas

• Environmental and Conservation Sciences

Courses with this major

• Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Science (Environmental and Conservation Sciences)

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Where could a science degree take you?

We believe science will impact every job, industry and country in the world. Find out more about our science degrees.

Entry requirements

Select which option best describes your path to university :, higher education, recent secondary education, vocational education & training, work & life experience, english requirements.

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests , university preparation courses , English language courses , previous tertiary study or vocational education .

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

Adjustment for Murdoch RISE

Murdoch RISE is a selection rank adjustment, as part of our commitment to helping students from regional, Indigenous and low socio-economic backgrounds gain university entry.

If you achieve an ATAR of 60.00 - 89.95, a Murdoch RISE adjustment factor of up to 10.00 points may help you get into your preferred course. Murdoch RISE can increase your selection rank up to a maximum of 90.00.

There’s no application or need to register. If you are eligible, the adjustment factor is automatically added to your raw ATAR score when you apply.

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai  and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Enabling pathways

If you don’t currently meet our admission requirements, we have a range of enabling pathways to help build your skills.

Fees and scholarships

Scholarships

Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.

Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student as well as what's available throughout your degree.

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer .

Course fees vary depending on the level of study and the year of commencement. Use our Fee Calculator to estimate the cost of your course.

Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship. Our International Welcome Scholarship offers eligible students between $8,000 and $11,000, depending on the course you study.

The Australian Government also offers scholarships to students from developing countries through the Australia Awards Scholarship program.

Explore our scholarships and find out if you’re eligible to apply.

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• Complete or incomplete official  Academic Transcripts  and  Certificates of Completion  – both original and English translated versions
• English Language Proficiency Document  (if available)

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Study Marine Biology

When you study marine biology in the Bachelor of Science at JCU, you will learn from world-leaders in marine and coastal ecosystems, with the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep.

• Bachelor of Science

What is Marine Biology?

Marine biology is the scientific study of animals, plants and organisms within the ocean and other saltwater environments. It is also the study of how these elements interact with the marine environment as marine and coastal ecosystems.

Marine biology also involves studying the impact that humans have on the marine environment, and how oceans and the atmosphere interact. In other words, marine biology is also interconnected with climate science and the study of global warming, and with ocean conservation.

Marine biology is vital to our understanding and preservation of the planet and humanity.

Like all fields of science, marine biology incorporates theoretical and technical knowledge, alongside practical applications in the field, lab and research settings of every type, including oceans, wetlands and estuaries, and aquarium-based experiments.

The ocean covers approximately 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface and it remains largely uncharted^. This means there is vast potential to explore and learn about the ocean, and almost limitless opportunities for marine biology researchers and professional scientists to make new discoveries.

Marine biology also has a number of specialisations, including marine ecology; marine microbiology; biological oceanography; aquaculture; fisheries biology and management; marine population, community and ecosystem dynamics; coral reef science; marine conservation; zoology and more. Some of these specialisations may be studied alongside a Major in Marine Biology, as part of the Bachelor of Science at JCU. See the full list of JCU BSci Majors and electives .

^ National Geographic resource library, Oceans

Discover JCU's Bachelor of Science

The Marine Biology major in JCU's Bachelor of Science degree provides access to a unique tropical learning environment with research stations, state-of-the-art laboratories and the Great Barrier Reef right on our doorstep.

What does a marine biologist do?

Marine biologists are scientists who spend their life immersed – often literally – in oceans and other saltwater environments.

Ocean conservation is a passion for many marine biologists; however, there are a range of areas in which you might pursue research or focus your efforts.

Marine biologists may work as generalists, collecting and analysing data from diverse marine species in oceans, wetlands and estuaries to better understand marine biodiversity, and determine impacts of environmental change on marine ecosystems.

Or, marine biologists may become specialists, developing new knowledge through research into a particular type of marine organism, including animals, plants, and microorganisms.

As a marine biologist, you will apply scientific principles and processes across all of your work. Sampling and experimental design, statistical analysis, taxonomy and systematics, functional morphology, molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, behaviour, ecology and evolution will be among the skills you may use daily  as you study diverse marine ecosystems.

Increasingly, marine biologists will also use the latest technology, such as sophisticated arrays of data loggers, advanced analytical chemistry equipment, underwater drones  and mini-submarines, to gather data and study marine habitats among the ocean depths.

A marine biologist must be adept in the water and behind a computer, using custom software to analyse underwater images and video, to input and process data, conduct complex analyses including artificial intelligence methods, and to communicate findings.

Working as a marine biologist, you will develop diverse capabilities and experience. In addition to your marine biology qualifications, you may need to undertake practical training in areas such as scuba diving, boat driving, aquarium-based experiments, animal husbandry, and environmental health and safety.

Explore your study options in Marine Biology

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Learn from world-renowned lecturers and engage with experts in your chosen field with an Advanced Science degree from JCU. Develop strong research and communication skills as you investigate the role of science in creating sustainable futures within the Tropics. Model solutions to case studies from an array of biophysical contexts and extend your hands-on learning by completing a research internship or practical placement.

• Townsville: February, July
• Cairns: February, July

Explore dynamic marine and coastal systems with Marine Science. Develop expertise in seabed mapping and fish assessment sonar, oceanographic sensors and other marine technologies. Gain valuable, hands-on experience through fieldwork at JCU’s Orpheus Island Research Station and on various coral reefs along the Great Barrier Reef.

Embrace the exciting world of science. Pair your scientific study with experiences like no other — explore environments like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest or conduct research in state-of-the-art labs. Learn how to train an AI algorithm to identify flora and fauna species or dig into the earth’s history to find prehistoric remains. Graduate career-ready with advanced practical skills and a drive for discovery.

Gain a solid foundation for university study as you build academic skills, confidence and knowledge. Take classes relevant to your study goals and get a taste of university life in this qualification designed to help you meet the entry requirements of your desired degree. Enter university prepared for success after this one-year course.

• Online: February, July

Build upon your undergraduate science degree or broaden your professional experience with hands-on learning in your field of interest. You’ll expand your capacity for research, investigation, analysis and communication as you hone your skills in fully-equipped research facilities alongside experienced lecturers. Embrace the opportunities for practical learning and field work and make connections with those working in your industry.

Develop outstanding discipline knowledge of marine biology and advance your skills in the areas most sought after by marine sector employers. Gain unrivalled hands-on experience in unique locations like the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. Work with emerging technologies for marine ecosystem monitoring, learn how to incorporate vital data analysis methods into your work and research, and collaborate with world-leading researchers in Coral Reef Science and Management

• Townsville: January, July

Advance your professional career in science with independent research or a focused industry project. Through your studies, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of the problems facing natural environments, and their solutions, using the complex reef and terrestrial environments of the tropics as examples. You will also expand your practical, analytical and communication skills, and gain first-hand experience through tailored professional internships or research projects that can lead

Advance your professional career in science with independent research or a focused industry project. Through your studies, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of the problems facing natural environments as well as their solutions, using the complex reef and terrestrial environments of the tropics as examples. You will also expand your practical, analytical and communication skills, and gain first-hand experience through your course work classes. You can concentrate your studies by

What jobs are there in marine biology?

As a marine biologist, you could work in conservation biology and policy, environmental and resource management, fisheries biology, ecosystem restoration and marine impact assessments.

When you study marine biology at JCU, you might find marine biology jobs with not-for-profit organisations, universities and other research institutions, commercial organisations and governments.

Marine biologists may work in and around Australia’s many unique marine environments, including the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo Reef, Montgomery Reef, Lord Howe Island, Hinchinbrook Island and many more. You may also work on diverse sites such as kelp forests, Ramsar wetlands, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and so on.

Or, you may find may work as a marine biologist internationally, in a range of precious marine and coastal locations.

The kinds of jobs  you could hold with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Marine Biology from JCU include:

• Marine biologist
• Ocean conservationist
• Marine policy advisor
• Corporate relations
• Commercial researcher
• Academic researcher
• Fisheries advisor
• Environmental advisor
• Environmental consultant
• Environmental impact assessment work
• Projects on coasts/wetlands/seagrass
• Biological oceanographer.

What is the difference between Marine Science and Marine Biology?

In addition to its Marine Biology Major through the Bachelor of Science , JCU also offers a Bachelor of Marine Science .

JCU’s Marine Science degree has a focus on the sustainability of oceans and is ideal for students interested in physical and chemical science, or an oceanography degree.

Marine science students are trained to work with developing oceanography technologies. They use seabed mapping technology, tagging and tracking equipment and high-precision sensors to track activity in the ocean. They will also cover ocean fundamentals such as understanding biological processes, the chemistry of the ocean, marine geography and fisheries science.

Similar to studying marine biology, marine science students learn how to collect data and assess the health of marine life populations; however, marine biologists may be more focused on the creatures and plants themselves – and their ecosystem interactions – rather than the geographical elements.

Why study Marine Biology at JCU?

When you study with us, you will be equipped to excel. JCU’s Marine Biology Major delivers well-developed practical experience alongside rigorous theoretical and technical knowledge.

If you have an existing qualification and want to take your Marine Biology studies further, JCU's Master of Marine Biology will advance your skills in the areas most sought after by marine sector employers.

JCU marine biology students have access to state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities, like the JCU Science Place and the JCU Orpheus Island Research Station .

As a marine biology student, you can also benefit from our researchers’ strong links with industry including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Museum of Tropical Queensland , TropWATER and CSIRO Townsville .

Townsville has been rated as the world's second most-prolific city for research related to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 'Life below water (SDG14)' by the Nature Index . The Nature Index is based on research published in 82 high-quality scientific research journals between 2015 and 2020, 52 per cent of the research conducted in the area came from JCU.

You will gain valuable employability skills through practical experiments and opportunities to acquire hands-on experience in diverse marine environments like reefs, mangroves, and intertidal zones.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake real-world marine biology research in unrivalled locations including the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

Claire Barr

Alumni bachelor of science, majoring in marine biology.

"I love the research teams and labs I have been involved in. Everything from swimming with minke whales in the northern Great Barrier Reef to working with baby seahorses, there have been so many cool opportunities. I also appreciate all of the connections I have made, from top researchers in this field to my cohort in the classes."

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