Marine Biology: University of Southampton

Course Description

The Master in Marine Biology provides an opportunity for students to increase their breadth and depth of knowledge in marine biology. The course is aimed at understanding the biology of marine organisms and their relationship with their environment throughout the world's oceans. The initial modules will introduce students to the animals and plants that live in the marine environment as well as understanding the physical and chemical oceanography of the sea. This is underpinned by an intertidal field course at the end of the First Year.

In the Second Year the modules become more specialised including marine vertebrates, benthic ecology and phytoplankton and primary production. The Second Year ends with a marine biology/oceanography field course in Plymouth.

The Third Year extends the student's knowledge in zooplankton, marine ecophysiology, fisheries and aquaculture and marine molecular biology. At the end of the Third Year, students undertake a tropical fieldcourse.

In the Fourth Year student conduct a major individual project on any aspect of marine biology and take more formal modules in reproduction and larval development, deep-sea ecology and marine modelling as well as contemporary topics in marine biology.

Course content

• Marine plants and invertebrates
• Marine ecology
• Physical and chemical oceanography
• Marine vertebrates
• Primary production processes
• Benthic ecology
• Intertidal field course
• Ecophysiology
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Zooplankton ecology
• Marine molecular biology

Entry requirements

• A level: ABB at A-level (to include Grade B in Biology and two other science/maths A-levels)
• IB: 32 points, 16 at higher level
• Intake: 50
• Average applicants per place: 6

Main University Contact

• Postal Address: University of Southampton
  University Road
  Southampton
  SO17 1BJ
• Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 5000
• Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 3131
• Email:
• Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk/