Master of Marine Science and Management

Keen to delve deeply into the study of ocean and marine sciences with global leaders in research, in state-of-the-art facilities and in some of the most beautiful and fascinating marine ecosystems in the world?

The Master of Marine Science is offered by Southern Cross University at the National Marine Science Centre situated on the northeast coast of New South Wales on the shores of the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

As a student of this degree, you will work with other inspired scientists and students hands-on in the field, on and under the water and in the classroom to examine marine management and ecology, conservation and biodiversity, approaches to sustainability and mitigation of pollution among other fascinating topics.

Graduates of this course will have opportunities to work as scientists, science communicators, policymakers across private and public sectors, and make the world their oyster!

Career Opportunities

The degree is designed so that students can integrate studies with their existing employment and focuses on quality science and best practice professional skill. The degree is ideal for those seeking to develop careers in fields such as:

• Marine research

• Marine management and ecology

• Fisheries and aquaculture

• Marine park management

• Human impacts mitigation

• Marine-based tourism

• Biodiversity conservation

• Carbon accounting

• Governmental policy development

Major Areas of Study

The course focuses on the sustainability and management of a range of marine ecosystems. Specialist marine units include ocean change biology, pollution of the marine environment, sustainable use of the marine environment and marine research projects that can be tailored to meet the needs or interests of the individual candidate.

Assessment methods

Assessment varies for each unit and generally comprises a mix of assessment types, including laboratory and readings-based assignments, seminar presentations, field and practical investigation reports, and formal practical and written examinations.

Teaching methods

Students experience a variety of teaching approaches including live and pre-recorded lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes, field trips, and online activities such as online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit, although many require both on campus and online students to attend 3-6 day residential workshops taught at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour.

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.