MSc Applied Marine Science

The vocational programme, involving local marine partners and companies, provides you with the scientific knowledge, skills and practical experience that you need for an exciting career in marine science.

Key features

• Join a long established (1991), well-respected programme with an excellent record for employment in the marine sciences sector.
• Develop confidence and competence in the theoretical and practical dimensions of marine science, deepening your scientific knowledge of the coastal environment and the pressures placed on it.
• Gain the skills and knowledge required to work as a marine scientist through a vocationally relevant programme, while also benefitting from our strong research-based teaching, supported by our marine research groups.
• Become experienced in coastal zone management using a range of practical techniques and approaches to problem solving.
• Connect with local marine organisations through the Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership, which includes the University's Marine Institute, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the National Marine Aquarium.
• Make the most of our links to commercial consultancy companies, local councils and environmental organisations which can provide project ideas and supervision on your dissertation.
• Access an extensive range of field/laboratory equipment, including the COAST laboratories, our research vessel RV Falcon Spirit and a new waterfront marine centre.
• Build the skills required to assimilate knowledge over a wide range of disciplines and apply them to environmental analysis.

Our programme is 100 per cent coursework assessed and teaching activities are based around taught modules, field and laboratory work and an extended research project. There are visits to local bays and estuaries and a field week working with complex instrumentation in the lab and at sea. Semester one modules include management of coastal environments, marine science and research skills and methods. In the second semester students follow one core module in contemporary issues in marine science and choose two option modules from: remote sensing and geographical information systems, managing marine ecosystems, coastal erosion and protection, economics of the marine environment and modelling marine processes. You can carry out your research project and dissertation over both semesters in any area of marine science, working with experts within the University and external bodies (e.g. PML, Fugro-GEOS) in the UK and abroad. Topics include projects in both pure and applied research.