Marine Biology Major - Bachelor of Science

Love the ocean and marine life? In the Marine Biology major in the Bachelor of Science you explore marine sciences, including the biology of fish and aquatic plants and marine invertebrates.

With 71 percent of the earth’s surface covered by water, marine life is critical to our existence. It’s one of the most valuable sources of food, medicine and raw materials. New discoveries are made daily in marine biology and ecology, making this an exciting and dynamic career choice with endless potential.

This major covers marine biology (the scientific study of organisms in the ocean) and marine ecology (how marine organisms interact with each other and the environment). Field trips are a key part of this major – you frequently go out on boats to investigate marine life or learn about aquaculture techniques, coastal processes, oceanography, management and conservation theories and practices.


This is part of the Bachelor of Science.

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Year 1

Complete the following courses

HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
HEAL507 Health and Environment or MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment
BIOL502 Plants and Animals
CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry
ECOL501 Ecology and Evolution
BIOL501 Biological Sampling and Interpretation

And three of the following

CHEM502 Biological Chemistry
ENVS501 Biodiversity
ENVS522 Our Dynamic Earth 
MICR501 Microbiology

Year 2 and 3

Level 6 courses

Complete the following courses:

ENVS601 Environmental Law
SCIE602 Research Techniques
BIOL602 Biology of Marine Organisms
BIOL603 Marine Invertebrates

Level 7 courses

Complete the following courses:

BIOL701 Oceanography
BIOL702 Estuarine EcologyMarine Ecology
ENVS704 Ecological Management and Modelling

Plus five elective courses, or three electives and the Research Project course.

Level 6 & 7 elective courses

Choose nine of the following, or seven and the Research Project course (SCIE701, runs across two semesters).

Asterisk (*) indicates recommended electives for this major

Workplace experience

In your final year you can enrol in the Research Project course (30 points) if you have at least a B grade average in 60 points at level 6. This may involve working on an industry-related project related to your major.

Companies or research organisations involved include

  • NIWA
  • New Zealand Premium Whitebait
  • OceaNZ Blue

SCIE701 Research Project

Aquaculture business owner
Marine scientist or technologist
Farm/hatchery manager
Production supervisor
Science teacher*

*After completing a graduate diploma in education.

Marine-biology-A4-reszied.jpg

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Marine Biology Careers

Other majors in the Bachelor of Science

You can combine this major with other majors like Environmental Sciences, Geospatial Science or Applied Conservation, and complete your Bachelor of Science within three years without doing more than the standard eight courses (120 points) per year.

Postgraduate study options

Key features
  • Dynamic industry with regular new discoveries
  • Hands-on learning in marine environments, using AUT’s custom-built boat
  • Opportunity to complete a research project and industry placement
See yourself as
  • Enquiring, observant and patient
  • Motivated and persistent
  • Someone who enjoys the outdoors
  • Passionate about the ocean and the life within it
Antony Vavia
Elianna Zoura
Ashleigh McNie
Tanayaz Patil
Dannie Cullen
Antony Vavia
Great graduatesAntony VaviaDoctor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science (Honours)Deciding to study marine biology was easy, says Antony Vavia who came to AUT to do a Bachelor of Science and is currently enrolled in a PhD in marine biology.Deciding to study marine biology was easy, says Antony Vavia who came to AUT to do a Bachelor of Science and is currently enrolled in a PhD. For his PhD, Antony is exploring how to ensure long-term sustainability of coral reef fisheries in the Cook Islands by doing a case study on the island of Mitiaro. He hopes that his research will be another footstep for the Cook Islands and the wider Pacific in terms of fisheries.
Elianna Zoura
Great graduatesElianna ZouraMaster of Science (Research)
Bachelor of ScienceMarine life has always fascinated her, says Elianna Zoura who came to AUT as an international student from Greece to study a degree in marine science.Marine life has always fascinated her, says Elianna Zoura who came to AUT as an international student from Greece to study marine science. While she had always known that she wanted to work with ocean life, Elianna says her studies helped her refine how she sees her future career.
Ashleigh McNie
Great graduatesAshleigh McNieMaster of Science (Research)
Bachelor of ScienceShe has always had a passion for the ocean, says Ashleigh McNie who is currently enrolled in a Master of Science (Research), supervised by Dr Kay Vopel.She has always had a passion for the ocean, says Ashleigh McNie who completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Conservation and Marine Biology in 2019, and is currently enrolled in a Master of Science (Research). While she has had plenty of highlights throughout her time at AUT, one experience stands out: being able to go to the Solomon Islands for a research project.
Tanayaz Patil
Great graduatesTanayaz PatilInshore Fisheries Analyst, Fisheries New Zealand, Ministry for Primary IndustriesBachelor of ScienceShe has always been fascinated by animals, our planet and the universe, says Tanayaz Patil who studied a degree in applied conservation and marine biology.She has always been fascinated by animals, our planet and the universe, says Tanayaz Patil who completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Conservation and Marine Biology. Going on a field trip to the Solomon Islands for one of her courses confirmed that studying marine biology was the right choice, Tanayaz says.
Dannie Cullen
Great graduatesDannie CullenProfessional Environmental Scientist, AECOMBachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science (Honours)She has always been fascinated by the ocean, says AUT sciences alumna Dannie Cullen who is now working as a professional environmental scientist at AECOM.She has always been fascinated by the ocean, says Dannie Cullen who studied a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences, followed by a Bachelor of Science (Honours). Now working as a professional environmental scientist at AECOM, Dannie loves that her role is a mix of office tasks and fieldwork.

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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