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.

_{The Bachelor of Science information published here relates to 2022. The 2023 offerings for this degree are still to be confirmed and will be added as soon as available.}

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This is part of the Bachelor of Science.

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What you study
Career opportunities
Related programmes

Year 1

Complete the following courses:

HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
ENVS501 Biodiversity
ENVS522 Our Dynamic Earth
MICR501 Microbiology

And four of the following:

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

Year 2 and 3

Level 6 courses

Complete the following courses:

BIOL601 Deep Sea Biology
BIOL603 Marine Invertebrates
BIOL602 Biology of Marine Organisms
SCIE602 Research Techniques

Level 7 courses

Complete the following courses:

BIOL701 Oceanography
BIOL702 Estuarine EcologyMarine Ecology
ENVS704 Ecological Management and Modelling

Plus five elective courses with at least two at level 7, 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

CONS621 Conservation Planning
ECOL601 Freshwater Ecology
ECOL602 Terrestrial Ecology
ECOL603 Ecological Concepts* (offered 2023)
ECOL604 Ecology Concepts II*
ENVS602 Environmental Risk Assessment
ENVS603 Environmental Health
ENVS621 Geographic Information Systems
ENVS622 Biogeography
ENVS624 Plant and Animal Taxonomy*
ENVS632 Planning for Environmental Sustainability
GEOL601 Geology, Landscape and Environment
GEOL602 Sedimentary Rocks & Environments
CONS701 Applied Conservation
CONS721 Wildlife Conservation
ECOL701 Plant Ecology
ECOL731 Animal Behaviour and Ecology
ECOL732 Pacific Island Ecosystems
ENVS702 Geographical Information Systems
ENVS703 Environmental Chemistry*
ENVS721 Geospatial Analysis
ENVS722 Socio-ecological Systems
ENVS723 Remote Sensing
GEOL701 Structural Geology & Tectonics
GEOL702 Earth Materials
GEOL703 Volcanology
GEOL704 Geohazards and Risk

Other electives may also be available.

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

_{The Bachelor of Science information published here relates to 2022. The 2023 offerings for this degree are still to be confirmed and will be added as soon as available.}

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

*After completing a graduate diploma in education.

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

Great graduatesShaye VaCentral Interceptor Environmental Graduate, Watercare Services LimitedBachelor of ScienceHer love of the ocean is what encouraged her to study science, says Shaye Va who completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology.Her love of the ocean is what encouraged her to study science at university, says Shaye Va who completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology. After graduating from AUT in 2020, Shaye now works as an environmental graduate at Watercare Services Limited and enjoys being involved in one of the largest projects in New Zealand.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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