Bachelor of Marine Science and Management

Imagine having a career that requires you to be in some of the most exotic, unique and beautiful marine environments in the world.

The Bachelor of Marine Science and Management prepares you with the know how to manage coastal and marine systems, with learning environments including the Great Barrier Reef, the Solitary Islands, and Cape Byron, on the East Coast of Australia. You will develop your skills in foundational sciences, and be taught by world-leading marine and environmental researchers in Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre.

You will have the opportunity to explore global environmental issues including marine pollution, coral reef ecology and marine mammal conservation among other fascinating subjects, and to gain practical skills in the environment and our laboratories using cutting-edge instrumentation and techniques.

As a graduate of the Southern Cross Marine Science and Management degree, you will be able to establish a career in marine science at a time that the world is realizing that the health of our oceans is paramount to a sustainable future.

Career Opportunities

In public and private environmental sectors as a consultant, marine park planner, marine biologist and ecologist, marine reserve officer, aquaculturalist, fisheries manager, project officer, technical officer, state coordinator; and in marine research.

Professional Recognition

During the course, students will have the option to gain a nationally recognized qualification in scientific scuba diving.

Professional Placement

Students can complete an eight-week professional placement to gain industry experience. Interns can work with organizations across the marine science spectrum including local, state or federal government agencies; private consultancies; or business enterprises in Australia or overseas.

Major Areas of Study

While this course has no majors, it combines marine science with contemporary management concepts. The course includes the units Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation, and Coral Reef on the Edge with a strong focus on conservation and management issues that challenge the marine environment. Additional specialist marine science units include Ocean Change Biology, Marine Pollution, Successful Sampling and Marine Systems Science and Management.

Assessment methods

Assessments vary for each unit and may comprise a mix of assessment types, including laboratory and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes, field trips, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of a podcast or video-linked lectures, study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Please note:

Lismore students complete the final-year units at the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) in Coffs Harbour, which is delivered in intensive mode. Intensive mode units at the NMSC are completed in three-week blocks with a compulsory six-day on-campus period being required for each unit.

Online students attend compulsory residential workshops at the Lismore campus and the final-year units at the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) in Coffs Harbour, which is delivered in intensive mode. Intensive mode units at the NMSC are completed in three-week blocks with a compulsory six-day on-campus period being required for each unit.

Facts, figures, rankings and awards

Southern Cross University is a progressive, young and connected regional research university, with vibrant campuses in northern New South Wales and the southern Gold Coast. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and many are available in a dynamic online form. Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

Why SCU?

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 20Bold, progressive and just 23 years of age – Southern Cross University is one of the Asia-Pacific’s Top 100 Universities and one of the world’s Top 50 Generation Y Universities .

Our contemporary campuses, with purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities, are located on the east coast of Australia, at the Gold Coast in Queensland, and in Lismore and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. All are unique regions renowned for their natural beauty and ecological diversity, providing living laboratories for learning and creative hubs for artistic endeavour.

Branch campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are operated in collaboration with EduCo on behalf of Southern Cross University. The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney and Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia. We also deliver degrees with collaborators in China, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

We have a large and diverse range of courses available online, offering interactive and immersive learning experiences wherever our students are.

Whether studying on-campus, online, or both, we deliver exciting, contemporary and high-quality learning experiences.

We aim to produce graduates who are career ready, world ready and digitally literate, and who experience an academic environment distinctive for its personal approach.

The University has a strong focus on industry and community collaboration to produce engaged teaching and research outcomes.

This connectivity is seeing Southern Cross University lead the $13.8m national Farming Together Pilot Program, partnering with the Northern Rivers Co-operatives Alliance and the Australian Government. The University has also introduced an important new Centre for Organics Research with the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia report, Southern Cross achieved outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 24 research fields. In nine research fields, the University was evaluated at the highest possible classification of 'well above world standard'. This was achieved in the fields of Geochemistry, Oceanography, Environmental Science and Management, Zoology, Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Crop and Pasture Production, Forestry Sciences, Nursing, Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Campuses

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses on the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour.

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses (International students)

Southern Cross University's branch campuses at Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are conveniently located in the central business districts.

Studying at SCU Sydney, Melbourne or Perth gives international students the opportunity to complete undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in three of the world's most liveable cities. Southern Cross University collaborates with EduCo Sydney Branch Pty Ltd for the operation of the SCU Sydney, Melbourne and Perth branch campuses.